Scapegoating: The Hidden Engine of Empire
From the Alhambra Decree to Renee Nicole Good
Empires Are Built on Scapegoating
In 1492, Spain stood at a crossroads of conquest, faith, and fear. Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile had just completed the Reconquista, driving the last Muslim rulers from Granada after centuries of struggle. With victory came the challenge of unifying a diverse population under one crown and one faith.
To consolidate power, the Spanish monarchy turned to scapegoating. Jewish and Muslim communities, long integral to Spanish life, were suddenly cast as threats to the kingdom’s stability and moral order. On March 31, 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering the expulsion of all Jews who refused conversion to Christianity. Hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes, their wealth confiscated, their lives uprooted. Those who remained, Muslims in Granada, faced forced conversions, restrictions, and persecution.
As Spain expanded into the Americas, this pattern repeated. Indigenous peoples were portrayed as obstacles to civilization and salvation, justifying conquest, slavery, and extraction of wealth. Figures like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro carried out campaigns of violence, framing entire nations as threats to God, empire, and order.
Through these actions, the Spanish Empire:
Created a common enemy to unite people through fear.
Distracted from systemic problems like inequality and political unrest.
Justified violence and control through laws, conversions, and conquest.
Reinforced hierarchy and privilege, consolidating wealth and power at the top.
Scapegoating is the way of empire.
In the last 15 years, scapegoating has skyrocketed in our nation
Some of those blamed include:
Muslims
Mexican & Central American immigrants
Haitian & Somalian immigrants
African Americans
Asylum seekers & international students
The Trans community
The homeless
Cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
Chinese people
And yesterday it was Renee Nicole Good.
As followers of Jesus, we respond differently. We don’t bend to the way of Empire. We are formed by the beatitudes of Jesus and the way of Christ’s Kingdom. Christ’s Kingdom speaks a better word and outlasts empire. And the kingdom knows a few things about scapegoating.
Our enemy is not flesh and blood. We are unified around love, and marked by love for enemy
We dismantle sin filled systems, not people. (Ex: Systems of poverty, not the poor neighbor)
We reject violence, and choose to “put down the sword”. We stand with those oppressed by systematic violence
We don’t seek power, we give it away. True life is found in downward mobility.
The contrast couldn’t be more stark. Kingdom people, do not adhere to Empire methodology.
Be known for love.
Dismantle sin-filled systems.
Give away power.
This is the way of the crucified Christ