#doctrine of discovery

[ausetkmt]

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHATTEL SLAVERY BY THE CATHOLIC POPE NICHOLAS V 6/18/1452

Papal Bull Dum Diversas 18 June, 1452

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Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas on 18 June, 1452. It authorised Alfonso V of Portugal to reduce any “Saracens (Muslims) and pagans and any other unbelievers” to perpetual slavery.

This facilitated the Portuguese slave trade from West Africa.

The same pope wrote the bull Romanus Pontifex on January 5, 1455 to the same Alfonso. As a follow-up to the Dum diversas, it extended to the Catholic nations of Europe dominion over discovered lands during the Age of Discovery. Along with sanctifying the seizure of non-Christian lands, it encouraged the enslavement of native, non-Christian peoples in Africa and the New World.

“We weighing all and singular the premises with due meditation, and noting that since we had formerly by other letters of ours granted among other things free and ample faculty to the aforesaid King Alfonso – to invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Saracens and pagans whatsoever, and other enemies of Christ wheresoever placed, and the kingdoms, dukedoms, principalities, dominions, possessions, and all movable and immovable goods whatsoever held and possessed by them and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery, and to apply and appropriate to himself and his successors the kingdoms, dukedoms, counties, principalities, dominions, possessions, and goods, and to convert them to his and their use and profit – by having secured the said faculty, the said King Alfonso, or, by his authority, the aforesaid infante, justly and lawfully has acquired and possessed, and doth possess, these islands, lands, harbors, and seas, and they do of right belong and pertain to the said King Alfonso and his successors”.

In 1493 Alexander VI issued the bull Inter Caetera stating one Christian nation did not have the right to establish dominion over lands previously dominated by another Christian nation, thus establishing the Law of Nations. Together, the Dum Diversas, the Romanus Pontifex and the Inter Caetera came to serve as the basis and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery, the global slave-trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Age of Imperialism.  

Dum Diversas (Latin Original).

Papal Bulls

SUGGESTED CITATION

Indigenous Values Initiative, "Dum Diversas," Doctrine of Discovery Project (23 July 2018), https://doctrineofdiscovery.org/dum-diversas/.

[love-sxv]

[alisainez]

* "...insure domestic Tranquility...": 
This aims to maintain peace and order within the country, protecting citizens from internal strife and conflict. 

"...promote the general Welfare...": 
This reflects the government's role in ensuring the well-being and prosperity of its citizens. 

[cinader]

s3e3 From Olympic Gold Medalist to Children’s Author, Billy Mills’ Journey to Heal a Nation

The message is more than timely from our indigenous elder. We're listening to this again this week, while we take a little production break. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We won't back away from Love. Will you?

s3e3 From Olympic Gold Medalist to Children’s Author, Billy Mills’ Journey to Heal a Nation BIlly MIlls, Blagovesta Momchedjikova, Alejandro Murguía, Makeda – Queen of Sheba s3e3-LBH Podcast-Release Date February 6, 2025 [link to transcript] s3e3February 6, 2025 1964 Olympics champion and children’s author, Billy Mills,  speaks about his book, Wings of an Eagle, and Diversity, Equity and…

[journey2life]

2022 Reading List + Other Learning Notes {#tywlife}

This particular list includes a lot of documentaries and video content as well. Links have been included to the material. There is so SO much more, however. I've been consuming so much content in the past 2 years. I'm grateful more content has been made.

*New for 2022: I’ve started to track “unfinished”books as well. These are books I’ve decided not to continue reading for the sake of “completing” the task. It’s me realizing the book and ideas in it are not for me anymore. Perhaps at this particularly moment in my life. But I’m practicing listening to myself and learning to move on/let go when I’ve recognized and felt something that’s not…

[trberman]

Gods on Other Planets: Addressing Criticisms of Kolob and LDS Beliefs

A Recently Discovered Exoplanet that is astonishing similar to earth Critiques of Latter-day Saint doctrines, particularly those centered on Kolob and the concept of “gods on other planets,” often rely on misunderstandings or oversimplifications of profound theological principles. Michelle Grim’s recent commentary and the ongoing scrutiny from Life After Ministry echo common misconceptions, but…

[ausetkmt]

Dum Diversas or how the Catholic Church created slavery for its funding

Many people don't understand the direct connection between the Catholic church and slavery. what we all need to know is that dum(b) diversas was never intended to rule the world. just create unlimited fundage for a select group of privileged Europeans.

The very fact that you think you should be paid for something simply because you discovered it was there; even though it was there all the time - is absolute nonsense

[realjaysumlin]

The Doctrine of Discovery | Friends Committee On National Legislation

Please don't tell me anything about how some shit religion like Christianity is good for Black Indigenous People globally because I know this is international law that is still relevant today.

The European colonizers utilized the Christian Doctrine of Discovery as a justification for their conquest and domination of indigenous peoples across the globe. This doctrine, originating from a series of papal bulls issued in the 15th century, granted European powers the right to claim lands and territories that were not inhabited by Christians..

This provided a moral and legal basis for the colonization of vast regions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The colonizers used military power to subjugate and control indigenous populations, often resorting to violence, murder, and enslavement to achieve their goals. The devastating impact of European colonization on indigenous peoples cannot be overstated, as it led to the destruction of cultures, the loss of land and resources, and the decimation of populations through disease, warfare, and forced labor.

The legacy of this brutal history continues to shape the world we live in today, highlighting the need for reconciliation and justice for the descendants of those who suffered under the yoke of colonialism. I can't do anything with evil and I don't care how anyone can justify this shit religion on anyone who knows the history and the laws that still exist today.

[cinader]

s3e3 From Olympic Gold Medalist to Children’s Author, Billy Mills’ Journey to Heal a Nation

"reading the Doctrine of Discovery, without anger... saying: my voice is going to be heard...Indigenous people, people of color, the diversity of America can create and mature this incredible democratic experiment to the sacredness that we all seek." Billy Mills - Listen & Be Heard s3e3

s3e3 From Olympic Gold Medalist to Children’s Author, Billy Mills’ Journey to Heal a Nation BIlly MIlls, Blagovesta Momchedjikova, Alejandro Murguía, Makeda – Queen of Sheba s3e3-LBH Podcast-Release Date February 6, 2025 [link to transcript] s3e3February 6, 2025 1964 Olympics champion and children’s author, Billy Mills,  speaks about his book, Wings of an Eagle, and Diversity, Equity and…

[fieriframes]

[According to this doctrine, the world is a fabrication of the will.]

[catsnuggler]

Shocker of shockers, but the folks who know salmon seasons, know where the watering holes and rivers are, know how to grow crops with little to no annual rainfall or irrigation, built sturdy homes that weathered well, know how local animals sound and how to imitate them and hunt them effectively, could tell nutritious roots from deadly poisons, could make life-saving poultices from plants that seem innocuous to the untrained eye, whose ancestors lived there thousands and thousands of years just might, you know, maybe, possibly, small chance, just uh, theoretically speaking, know a thing or two about how to live and, furthermore, not die, in their own homelands. You know. Just saying. Maybe. Just a thought. Just throwing it out there.

[mindfulldsliving]

Where Are the Gold Plates? An In-Depth Analysis

Contributing writer at Life After Ministries blog posits the following question in their latest post: Where are the Gold Plates? The writer quotes from Bruce R. McConkie’s Mormon Doctrine. Along with quoting from Mormon Doctrine, a quote from Ephesians 4:14 follows with a brief commentary: There’s not a shred of evidence these plates let alone the angel Moroni ever existed except in the mind of…

[tarthall]

WHO THE FUCK WAS GONNA TELL ME THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY WAS ONLY RESCINDED LAST YEAR

AND THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PROTESTS DURING THE POPES VISIT TO CANADA TWO YEARS AGO

AND THAT THE POPE VISITED CANADA TWO YEARS AGO

[shorlinesorrows]

hey y’all sorry for the sudden burst of religion-related posts I just discovered there are chill religious queer people on tumblr and nearly cried with joy

if you come to tumblr and want to avoid religion for whatever reason (I know it’s hard for some people, for a variety of reasons) feel free to block the tag shorline (re)blogs religious stuff

[ifishouldvanish]

Y'all, I can't stop thinking about Olrox's relationship with vampirism.

Despite being a vampire, despite occupying a more antagonistic role compared to the other protagonists, he is shown to quite ostensibly 'have a soul'.

He recognizes the inner conflict Mizrak is contending with regarding working with Bàthory to harvest corpses to turn into night creatures. He recognizes that night creature Edouard has a 'human soul' and wonders what he did to deserve such a fate. He appreciates Edouard's singing, rather than being annoyed by it. He refuses to bow to Bàthory until he absolutely has no choice, and questions hers and Drolta's treatment of the other vampire at the vendee (Asking "what did he do?" when they're holding him down and branding him). He tells Tera that it's good she's still following her heart. Tells Mizrak that he is driven by longing, desire, and love and not hatred and disgust.

We spend season two with all of these moments where the characters ask themselves, "Do vampires/night creatures have souls?" "To what extent are they capable of love and empathy?" and we see Olrox repeatedly act as the living proof that despite his inclination toward self-preservation... yes!! Yes they do!! And yes they are!!! The first thing we learn about him is that Julia Belmont took someone away from him who he loved very much!!!

So I keep coming back to his conversation with Tera, and I like that his line is, "welcome to immortality" instead of, "welcome to vampirism" or something akin to that. Because it presents their 'condition' as an arguably value-neutral one. They're not suddenly soulless monsters, they're still themselves, or at least capable of remaining themselves so long as they 'follow their heart'. The true struggle of the vampire is not one of a loss of the self—of being cursed to live as this soulless thing that only craves blood—but how to hold onto one's self over an eternity.

It's a struggle Olrox has embodied throughout both seasons: How do you honor yourself and the people you love when faced with injustice and impossible odds? Where does one draw the line between cowardice and survival? How many times can you compromise parts of yourself before you no longer recognize the person you've become? To what extent can this process be considered 'survival' at all?

We're used to seeing vampirism framed as a moral tradeoff: you can be young and powerful forever, but it will cost your soul/humanity. Or you can be young and powerful forever, but who really wants to live forever? If Olrox believed vampirism robbed you of your soul, it's doubtful he'd have turned his lover—but clearly he doesn't believe that. And evidently, given his proclivity towards self-preservation, Olrox does want to 'live forever'. 250+ years into his life as a vampire, he still loves, and still wants to live.

Which leaves the blood, and the fact that the very concept of a soul as we're used to seeing it in relation to vampirism is rooted in Christianity. But what weight do these kinds of spiritual arguments have for someone who doesn't share this conception of the soul, or the afterlife, or the universe as a whole?

What weight does "you'll lose your soul" have to a person coming from a population whose genocide was justified under the papal "Doctrine of Discovery", which basically said, "it's okay and even encouraged to steal from, brutalize, and enslave the people you encounter on newly discovered lands, so long as they aren't Christians/refuse to convert."

What weight does "but you'll have to feed on the blood of the living" have to a person coming from a culture where everything on earth is seen as part of the flesh and blood of the gods, and where the spilling of blood is seen as repaying a debt to those gods for giving humanity life and sustenance?

What weight does "you'll have to kill people to survive" have to a person coming from a world where capturing people in ritualized combat for the purpose of sacrificing them was considered a noble calling? An act that helps perpetuate the existence of humanity?

What weight do these arguments have coming from people who are stealing, beating, enslaving, and killing you in the name of their own God? People who don't think you have a soul anyway, or at the very least, think that the only way to save your soul is to completely surrender your beliefs, your culture, and your identity first?

You take away these arguments and you're left with the cost of immortality itself: how to hold onto your sense of self over an eternity, how to keep following your heart, how to not lose yourself.

But even this struggle is already how Olrox's people would have understood ethics and spirituality. A soul is not 'damned' or 'saved'. Rather the three components of the soul are constantly in flux, and man's great spiritual struggle lies in teotl—achieving, maintaining, and continuously restoring the balance of these components over the course of their life.

In this context, vampirism can instead present a chance to outlive the very people who are destroying your world by spilling their blood instead your own. In the face of imminent genocide, it offers survival—without having to compromise much of who you are and how you understand the world. It represents refusing to give up the fight against an enemy that wants to eradicate you, wants to destroy any and all traces of your humanity, wants to make you bow to it and surrender the very core of who you are.

How might this perspective help Olrox to justify turning the people he loves into vampires? Seeing his lover be subject to much of the same genocide, cultural or otherwise, that he experienced himself? To give someone he loved the promise of living to hopefully one day see a better future for his people? Seeing Mizrak be suffocated by the confines of his loyalty to the Catholic church—the very entity that effectively signed off on the genocide of Olrox's people—and wanting to show him, "no, I still have a soul, and so will you"? That there's "nothing to fear" in being turned into a monstrous thing? That the people who are doing this to you, who are causing your suffering, already see you as a monster anyway?

[realjaysumlin]

The Doctrine of Discovery: Why it still Matters Today - United Church of Christ

This is from your shit Christian religion that is trying to get this law removed from our planet because it will give all white Christian colonizers to murder us without the fear of being prosecuted and this is held under the control of the United States Supreme Court.

Most of you who voted for the Republican Party didn't know what you were supporting and this is the real truth about the colonial laws that have always negatively affected all Black Indigenous People globally under the Christian church.