Why did Spanish missionaries continue their work in East Texas and on the Plains when many people there resented them?
Since when are missionaries overly concerned with the welcoming committee? They view themselves on a divine mission.
Perhaps they believed they had more responsibility to God than to people? Did they have a duty to bring the Catholic Church to Protestants and the unchurched?
Along the same line -- why do American missionaries today go to New York and Spain?
The Spanish missionaries continued their work in East Texas and on the Plains despite the resentment from the local people for several reasons. These reasons can be understood by considering historical, religious, and political factors.
1. Historical Context: The Spanish had a long history of missionary activity in the New World. They saw themselves as the guardians of Catholicism and believed that spreading Christianity was part of their colonial mission. Therefore, they sought to convert the native populations and bring them into the fold of the Catholic Church.
2. Religious Zeal: The Spanish missionaries were driven by a strong religious conviction and a sense of duty to convert people to Christianity. They believed that they could save souls and lead people to salvation by converting them to Catholicism. Their faith encouraged them to persevere in their mission, regardless of opposition or resentment.
3. Political Objectives: The Spanish viewed the conversion of indigenous populations as a means of consolidating their control over the region. By converting the natives, they hoped to establish a loyal and obedient Christian population. This would not only increase their influence but also reduce the potential for resistance or rebellion among the local people.
4. Cultural Assimilation: The Spanish missionaries often worked to assimilate the indigenous population into Spanish culture and society. They saw conversion as a way to "civilize" the native peoples and make them more like the Spanish colonists. This approach was seen as a means of social control and a way to establish a more cohesive and ordered colonial society.
5. Economic Interests: The missionaries also played a role in supporting Spanish colonial economic interests. They often established missions alongside military outposts or settlements, which helped to ensure Spanish control over the territory. Additionally, the missions acted as centers of agricultural and economic production, contributing to the overall success of the Spanish colonial project.
In summary, the Spanish missionaries continued their work in East Texas and on the Plains despite resentment because of their historical commitment to spreading Christianity, religious zeal, political objectives, cultural assimilation goals, and economic interests.