The term was thus introduced in order for "Old Christians" to distinguish themselves from the converts (conversos) and their descendants, who were seen as potential heretics and threats to Catholic orthodoxy.
Stoga je izraz "stari kršćanin" bio uveden za razlikovanje od obraćenika (conversos) i njihovih potomaka, koji su bili gledani kao potencijalni krivovjerci i prijetnjama katoličkom pravovjerju.