Recall that until John Calvin interest was a sin in Christianity
Reader comment on: Sanders on Usury
in response to reader comment: What about the flip side?
Submitted by Lyle (United States), May 4, 2010 22:01
Usury used to mean an charging of interest like Islam does today. This is why Shylock made loans in the Merchant of Venice, since the church did not regulate him. John Calvin changed this, and then the Dutch (thru the Dutch Reformed Church) came to rule the world economically in the 17th century, so it became can't beat 'em, join 'em time for other christian countries. It appears that the Roman church was dragged into allowing interest at that time by various kings.
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