The British and Foreign Bible Society in Portugal in the 19th century: combat and opposition.

Description

Participation on the panel organized by the International Organisation of Historians of Christianity on "Religious tolerance and religious violence", with a paper about the "The British and Foreign Bible Society in Portugal in the 19th century: combat and opposition."
Abstract: The project of biblical diffusion led by the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) in Portugal in the 19th century faced multiple reactions, expressed in the hundreds of reports compiled by colporteurs and agents working in the country, which can basically be divided in two main typologies: the acceptance, purchase and accession of the biblical volumes; and the opposition, persecution and violence towards those who tried to sell them. The basis of this rejection of the BFBS’s volumes was a fundamental prejudice against the Bible, seen as an instrument of protestant propaganda or as an «protestant book». The opposition of part of the Portuguese population to the work of the Bible Society was not restricted to the confrontation of ideas or to the promotion of a theological debate, since an active combat with practical consequences and repeated episodes of violence also took place. Books were destroyed, colporteurs were psychologically, verbally and physically attacked, and buyers were harassed and mistreated. Those obstacles were often seen by the BFBS and its interlocutors in Portugal as a necessary and forming part of a bigger mission which ultimate goal justified that combat and those sacrifices. At the same time, their opponents also considered their position to be legitimate and, more than that, grounded in the Christian principles.

Period	25 Aug 2022
Event title	23rd International Congress of Historical Siences
Event type	Conference
Conference number	23
Location	Poznan, PolandShow on map
Degree of Recognition	PhD