of there [sic] inherent lost position
Tom R | 09.15.05 - 9:07 pm | #

> "This sickening joke—that drowning was appropriate for those who promoted immersion, is one of the sorriest chapters of Christian history."

But see Dr Scott Strongstaples' new book, Alleged Persecution of Anapbaptists Yet Another Anti-Catholic Slander, published in four volumes: Vol I: The Anabaptists Never Even Existed, Vol II: If The Anabaptists Did Exist, They Were Never Persecuted, Vol III: If Someone Did Persecute the Anabaptists, It Wasn't the Catholic Church; and Vol IV: If The Catholic Church Did Persecute the Anabaptists, They Musta Had It Coming to Them.

Dr Strongstaples, who is a Professor of History at Opus Dei University, North Utah, points out that many of the historians who wrote these accounts of alleged Anabaptist "persecution" were Protestants, which means they are hardly neutral observers.
Tom R | 09.15.05 - 9:14 pm | #

So, what is the real story of the Anabaptists?

There are books devoted to the "trail of tears" of the Anabaptists. I have to say that if they were so widespread, how come the regular history books don't mention them? I didn't hear of the term Anabaptists until "anti-Catholics" showed me how bad Catholics were in these writings.

My point is that Catholics and Protestants were mentioned in my world history classes. Even denominations were mentioned. However, the term Anabaptists was not mentioned. Was it a generic term for a group of denominations that somehow changed?

I lean towards Anabaptists existed as David describes from 1525. I don't really buy Anabaptists going all the way back to John the Baptist and Jesus and everyone else was wrong.

Anyway, thanks for the info.
Elvis | 09.15.05 - 11:00 pm | #

Thanks for the information. One distinctive among many Anabaptist groups is that of non-resistance.
Most, if not all, Mennonite groups are non-resisters (pacifists). It at least partially connects to their belief in separation of church and state. (In other words a true Christian could not join bear the sword for the state.
Teem | Homepage | 09.16.05 - 3:35 pm | #

Good post. Justo Gonzalez, in his Story of Christianity, advances the thought that more Anabaptists perished in the 16th century persecutions, than all the Christian put together in the first three centuries of the Church under Rome.

See also Basic Principles of Anabaptist Thought.
C.A.M. | Homepage | 10.10.05 - 11:38 pm | #