According to Sepulveda’s argument in “Prologue to the Members of the Congregation”, Indians during that time were classified as not humans. Humans are those who accept and follow the Christian faith, as well as, those who live in accordance with Natural Reason or Natural Law. Natural Law is the order of what are good and bad, also known as morals. In his 8th objection, Sepulveda explains that the Indians lack Natural Reason and publically endorse bad customs. By this he meant that they act savagely and animal like without a conscience. Along with Natural Reason, the Indians also lack religion. During this time those who lacked religion and were not willing to adapt to the Christian faith were seen as inhuman. “We want this war in order to subdue …show more content…
He supports his argument that Indians are humans by first explaining how they are willing and able to learn and understand the Christian faith and do not need to be subdued. Second he brings about the point that they can be called “barbarians”, meaning those who behave savagely and wild, and still be wise and live a settled life. Las Casas even takes it a step further by explaining that before the Spaniard came and took over the Indians land, the Indians had organization, friendships, religion, and customs. Even though the Indians had a different way of living, they were a stable society that understood one another and loved their way of …show more content…
“…barbarians are those who do not live in accordance with Natural Reason…” (Found in the 8th objection of Prologue to the Members of the Congregation). Multiple times Las Casas have referred to the Indians as barbarians who lacked reasoning and morals. He believed the Indians to be savage, cruel, and wicked. He felt that war should be brought upon the “Freaks of Nature” to enslave them and teach them the correct way of living, the way the Spaniards felt was right. “The Indian race is not that barbaric…” (pg. 43 of Part 1: Colonial Beginnings and Independence). According to Las Casas there are four types of Barbarians which are classified under two categories. Three of types of Barbarians are placed under restricted category, meaning change is possible. The first type of Barbarian is those who are barbaric by circumstance, which are those who act against human reason because of their anger. The second type of Barbarian is those who were born into that barbaric lifestyle. By “born into” I mean the Indians native language is not the European language and because their language is different, they are unable to express themselves to the Spaniards making them seem incompetent and ignorant. And the third type of Barbarian is those who do not know or believe in the Christian faith. The fourth type of Barbarian is placed under the strict category, meaning change is unlikely. That type