Historian William H. Prescott adds: “There was nothing which the Spanish government had more earnestly at heart than the conversion of the Indians. It forms the constant burden of their instructions, and gave to the military expeditions in this western hemisphere somewhat of the air of a crusade.” But note this: “No doubt was entertained of the efficacy of conversion, however sudden might be the change or however violent the means. The sword was a good argument, when the tongue failed.”

Nevertheless, these adventurers often went about their work of conversion with an odd mixture of sincerity and brutality. Take, for example, what happened to Atahualpa, king of the Incas.

The Conversion of Atahualpa

The conqueror of the Inca Empire was Pizarro. With only a few soldiers, Pizarro felt that the only way he could overcome the Inca Empire would be to capture Atahualpa and hold him hostage. He arranged to meet the Inca ruler in Cajamarca on November 16, 1532. But before Atahualpa arrived Pizarro secretly stationed his artillery and soldiers on three sides of the city square. Then the ruler himself arrived with more than 3,000 of his men​—all unarmed except for small clubs and slings.

Historian Robert Barton gives an account of what followed: “A Dominican friar named Vicente de Valverde approached the throne with Bible in hand to explain the holy forces of Christianity. He began by describing the Creator, and spoke at greater length about Jesus Christ and His supreme sacrifice on the cross. He concluded by asking Atahualpa to renounce his own pagan religion and to acknowledge the suzerainty of Emperor Charles V who would protect him henceforth in this world just as Jesus Christ would in the next.”​—A Short History of the Republic of Bolivia.

The Inca ruler must have been astonished at this discourse. According to Barton, he answered: “‘As for your God, He was put to death by the very men He created, whereas mine,’ pointing to the large red sun just then setting behind the sierras, ‘mine lives forever and protects his children. By what authority do you say these things?’” The friar pointed to the Bible and handed it to Atahualpa, who threw it to the ground. Friar Vicente, picking up his Bible, hurried to tell Pizarro what had happened. He is reported to have said: “Attack at once. I absolve you.” Pizarro gave the signal for the attack, and hundreds of the defenseless Indians were slaughtered and Atahualpa was taken prisoner.

Atahualpa negotiated with Pizarro for his release. He offered a huge ransom in gold and silver, which Pizarro agreed to accept. But when the treasure was duly delivered, Pizarro reneged on his promise. Atahualpa was brought to trial and, as an idolater, condemned to death by fire. Many of Pizarro’s advisers protested at such an act of treachery​—but not the priest Valverde. Eventually, Atahualpa professed himself a Christian and was baptized. But he was killed anyway on August 29, 1533, by strangulation.

Pizarro then completed the conquest of the Inca Empire. In the course of this, “he erected churches, cast down idols, and set up crosses on the highways.” (The Trials and Triumphs of the Catholic Church in America)

Then there were Francisco Pizarro and his brothers, who after more than two years of hard fighting subjugated the vast Inca Empire in what is today called Peru.