11-25-2006, 05:10 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Pope confirms the Myth of St. Thomas
11/23/2006 6:27:42 AMÂ H.Balakrishnan
Pope Benedict XVI reiterated the Vaticanâs stand on the Myth of St. Thomasâs arrival in Kerala, came as a blow to their followers in Kerala.
Pope Benedict XVI comes off as one who doesn't hold back his punches.In the present case,the Pope was only repeating what the Vatican had stated on 13 NOV 1952,namely, the landing of Saint Thomas at Cranganore in 52 C.E. was 'unverified'.
Many Christian historians,scholars and theologians have for long doubted the veracity of Saint Thomas ever having visited India.Thus,the renowned English historian,Sir Arnold Toynbee had written:<i>'The mission and death of St. Thomas in India was probably legendary'.</i>
Bishop Stephen Neill,in his 'Hisotry of Christianity in India:The Beginnings to 1701 A.D.'had written:'A number of scholars have built on slender foundations what can only be called Thomas romances,such as reflect the vividness of their imagination rather than the prudence of rigid historical critics.'There are many such scholarly writings on this subject from Christian sources.
On the contrary,historical records show that the present site at which the Santhome Cathedral stands,is an edifice of Christian iconoclasm.<b>The Portuguese are reported to have destoryed a Shiva and a Jain Temples that stood earlier at the same site.This is clearly brought out in Ishwar Saran's "The Myth of Saint Thomas and the Mylapore Shiva Temple".</b>
The Belgian historian,Dr.Koenraad Elst had written:'In Catholic Universities in Europe,the myth of apostle Thomas going to India is no longer taught as history,but in India it is still considered useful.'Indeed!!
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11/23/2006 6:27:42 AMÂ H.Balakrishnan
Pope Benedict XVI reiterated the Vaticanâs stand on the Myth of St. Thomasâs arrival in Kerala, came as a blow to their followers in Kerala.
Pope Benedict XVI comes off as one who doesn't hold back his punches.In the present case,the Pope was only repeating what the Vatican had stated on 13 NOV 1952,namely, the landing of Saint Thomas at Cranganore in 52 C.E. was 'unverified'.
Many Christian historians,scholars and theologians have for long doubted the veracity of Saint Thomas ever having visited India.Thus,the renowned English historian,Sir Arnold Toynbee had written:<i>'The mission and death of St. Thomas in India was probably legendary'.</i>
Bishop Stephen Neill,in his 'Hisotry of Christianity in India:The Beginnings to 1701 A.D.'had written:'A number of scholars have built on slender foundations what can only be called Thomas romances,such as reflect the vividness of their imagination rather than the prudence of rigid historical critics.'There are many such scholarly writings on this subject from Christian sources.
On the contrary,historical records show that the present site at which the Santhome Cathedral stands,is an edifice of Christian iconoclasm.<b>The Portuguese are reported to have destoryed a Shiva and a Jain Temples that stood earlier at the same site.This is clearly brought out in Ishwar Saran's "The Myth of Saint Thomas and the Mylapore Shiva Temple".</b>
The Belgian historian,Dr.Koenraad Elst had written:'In Catholic Universities in Europe,the myth of apostle Thomas going to India is no longer taught as history,but in India it is still considered useful.'Indeed!!
link
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