Who Said That?
Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 02:52PM 
"In some provinces a difference in dress distinguishes the Jews or Muslims from the Christians, but in certain others such a confusion has grown up that they cannot be distinguished by any difference. Thus it happens at times that through error Christians have relations with the women of Jews or Muslims, and Jews and Muslims with Christian women. Therefore, that they may not, under pretext of error of this sort . . . we decree that such Jews and Muslims of both sexes in every Christian province and at all times shall be marked off in the eyes of the public from other peoples through the character of their dress. Particularly, since it may be read in the writings of Moses [Numbers 15:37-41], that this very law has been enjoined upon them."
Who said that? Leave your guess in the comments section below. Please, no google searches or cheating. Answer to follow in one week.
Kim Riddlebarger
As one of you noted, this is from Canon 68 of the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215.
Reader Comments (11)
But I'll guess Charlemagne (who was pre-crusade). Just a hunch considering Charlemagne was "Christian," fought Muslims, and wasn't exactly known for his commitment to marital monogamy.
Too early. Muslims in the time of Constantine? And when would someone have referenced a passage in Numbers by chapter and verse number (unless the reference was added by a helpful modern translator)?
A Christian dominated area with a substantial Islamic and Jewish population? Hmmm. Stab in the dark -- late medieval Spain, before Ferdinand and Isabella expelled the Jews.
As the Catholic writer James Carroll notes,
"“It was Innocent’s council that first promulgated crucial Church resolutions designed to isolate, restrict, and denigrate Jews. What had until then been merely local indignities were now made universal…The importance of the Fourth Lateran Council for the future of Jewish-Catholic relations cannot be exaggerated…"
Carroll, James. Constantine’s sword: the church and the Jews: a history. Boston: First Mariner Books, 2001. p. 282.
Unfortunately, this precedent was used by Clement VIII (1593) to force the Jews to live in ghettos and again by Pius VI (1775) to require the Jews to wear yellow badges or hats.
Peace.
Disqualify me and please remove my post.
This is one of my favorite topics so, in my excitement, I looked at some old notes. Nuts, again! And sorry.
Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
But it is a great topic and thanks for posting it.
I am more shocked that you would read James Carroll and still frequent reformed blogs.
James Carroll believes everything that is wrong in the world is the fault of either Christianity or America or both. His opaque screeds in the Boston Globe, purportedly about religion, but usually against any semblance of Christian belief are replete with factual error, are facile and simplistic and always come to the conclusion that to believe and follow the New Testament is to subscribe to be anti-semitic or that if only the US would unilaterally disarm and follow Europe's pacifist, accommodationist lead the world would be "all better".
Sorry to have shocked you – that was not my intent.
Actually, I quoted Carroll not as an efficianado of his, per se, but only in context of Dr. Riddlebarger’s post regarding the Fourth Lateran Council. I had been shocked a few years ago with the publishing of David Kertzer’s book about modern Roman anti-Semitism (The Popes Against the Jews) and read one of Carroll’s books (Constantine’s Sword) to gather further background. It seems that the movement both writers address originated, formally at least, in the 4th LC – hence my interest.
As for his “opaque screeds” I will take you fully at your word and would agree with your sentiments against anti-Americanism and unilateral disarmament. I’m not sure how those were mis-conveyed by my post but I apologize in any event and lend my full agreement to your side!
And again, I apologize to Dr. Riddlebarger for violating the rules of his post.
Peace to all.