New Christian

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For other uses: see New Christian (Swedenborgian).

The term New Christian (cristianos nuevos in Spanish, cristãos novos in Portuguese) was used to refer to the Jews and Moors who were converted to Christianity and their baptized descendants. The term was introduced in order for "Old Christians" (cristianos viejos in Spanish or "cristãos velhos" in Portuguese) to distinguish themselves from the converts (conversos), who were also insulted as marranos, "pigs", in a derogatory manner.

Throughout the Middle Ages, there were conversions. In general, they were the result of physical, economic, and social pressures or coercion, although some of those who converted may have been more sincere. In the 14th century there was increasing pressure against Jews that culminated in the riots of 1391 in Seville and many other cities. These riots caused the destruction of the Jewish courts and sparked many conversions, a trend that continued through the 15th century. Unlike the other Iberian kingdoms, Portugal was not much affected by the waves of riots. There, the population of New-Christians became numerous after the forced conversions of 1497.

After the expulsion of the Jewish population from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497 all the Jewish population in Iberia became officially Christian. The New Christians were always under suspicion of apostasy. The creation of the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and Portuguese in 1536 was justified by the need to fight heresy. It was believed that many New Christians were practicing their original religion in secret and, in fact, large numbers were Crypto-Jews.

The system and ideology of limpieza de sangre, in Spanish, or limpeza de sangue, in Portuguese (cleanliness of blood) ostracized New Christians from society, regardless of their actual degree of sincerity as converts. In Portugal, the legal distinction between New and Old Christian was ended through a legal decree issued by the Marquis of Pombal in 1772.

After conversion, New Christians adopted Christian names. Eventually all Old Christian names were used by New Christians.

[edit] Bibliography

J. Lúcio de Azevedo, História dos Cristãos Novos Portugueses (Clássica Editora, 1989).
David M. Gitlitz, Secret and Deceit - The Religion of the Crypto Jews (The Jewish Publication Society, 1996). ISBN 0-8276-0562-5