One with a vision of the future that blessed prosperity, culture, work and commerce -which made the countries of the north, and there they have them today -the Spaniards opt for another God with the smell of sacristy, fanatic, dark and reactionary, to which, in certain aspects, we still suffer. The one that, imposing submission from pulpit and confessional, sank us in the backwardness, barbarism and laziness. The one who for the following four centuries granted pretexts and blessed water to those who, often under the pallium, crushed intelligence, primed the gallows, filled the gutters and cemeteries with graves and made freedom impossible.
In the passage, the author contrasts two visions of leadership and their impacts on society. One approach is characterized by a forward-thinking mentality that fosters prosperity, culture, and commerce, leading to the development and success of northern countries. In contrast, the Spaniards have historically chosen a path aligned with a repressive and fanatical ideology, which has inflicted suffering on the populace. This choice has contributed to societal stagnation and a lack of progress, holding back advancements in various fields.
The text further critiques the role of religion in perpetuating submission and inhibiting intellectual growth. The pressures exerted by religious institutions have led to a culture of backwardness and inactivity, enforcing conformity and punishing dissent through violence and oppression. This historical legacy is portrayed as a significant barrier to freedom, with the author lamenting the long-term effects of such choices on Spanish society and its ability to embrace a more enlightened and prosperous future.