Paddymac, thanks for coming clean.:-) I had a post written up with a couple of links to very interesting articles about missionaries today and it disappeared while I was looking up additional sources on google. I foolishly had not copied it! So, no posting.

I do think it is interesting that whenever we do try to have a discussion about this, several peoplecome in to defend and try to bring an end to the discussion. I think this one has been very interesting and in general less rancourous than previous ones.

Just one thing I will retype as well as I can remember it. Amos, the Old Testament is full of fear, hellfire, and damnation. Add to that the fact that missionaries sometimes were elevated to a shamanistic level by virtue of them having books, being able to read and to write, and the natives were torn between covering all bets between their own holy wo/men and the new black robes or what have you. No army needed, just what they saw as strong magic, so yes, in answer to your question.

kat