The changing character of religion in modern western societies essay
Question 1
What changed in the character and role of religion in European societies between 1500 and 1800 to make what we call “freedom of religion” and “separation of church and state” the norm nearly everywhere?
The character and role of religion in European societies in the1500s and that in the1800s were changed to make what we call “freedom of religion” and “separation of church and state” the norm nearly everywhere. Two pictures of religion help to better understand the differences between the character of religion in about 1500 and the other in about 1800.
Picture of religion’s character in about 1500
Religion in about 1500 is focused on the legitimation of monarchy. Religion is closely connected with politics. This complex relationship between religion and politics influences its character. Religion cannot be viewed as the cause of violence. The language of politics and the key rituals of politics have powerful religious attributes. Religious wars demonstrate the role of interaction of politics and religion. Actually, the picture of religion’s character in about 1500 is rather vague. The Christian theology provides only one way of thinking (Zagorin, 2003). The state is created by God to ensure peace and harmony and protect citizens. Besides, the state is responsible for upholding the commandments of God the creator, as well as provides protection to church and Christianity as the key religion (Zagorin, 2003). The ruler of the state is the Christian king who is honored and idealized by all citizens. In Locke’s Letter concerning Toleration, the author tells about religious attitudes (Locke, 1796). Locke is focused on providing evidence of the period of exile in Dutch Republic, which was caused by various political circumstances, including the lack of religious toleration, increased rate of religious persecution and exclusion from religion. It has been found that in European societies of the1500s, there political authority was connected with religious belief. For example, the issue regarding religious toleration had become very important during the reign of Charles II. The Clarendon Code provided restoration and extension of religious monopoly of the church. The Anglican Church restricted the rights of non-Anglicans. This fact means that in the 1500s, religion was influential. Locke was focused on the defense of toleration. The Protestant Reformation demonstrated religious persecution, when a strict religious regime was established to ban human pleasures and witches. The kings in European countries were focused on having an absolute power over religion and the state. The character of religion of that period can be characterized as violent because heretics were burned at the stake by powerful Catholic inquisitors, and mobs were permitted to commit atrocities in the name of Church and God. Religious wars involved Protestant and Catholic armies, demonstrating the lack of religious tolerance. Religious fanaticism was in the basis of that period of history.
Picture of religion’s character in about 1800
By 1800, “freedom of religion” or freedom of different Christianizes and “separation of church and state” had widely, but not completely, become the norm. Religion’s character in about 1800 was focused on toleration of the existing religious differences as well as on protection of “freedom of religion”. Religion in the 1800s provided opportunities for the development of the new system of ethics to make society more civilized. Religious justification helped to create new definition of citizenship based on morality and individualism. Religion played a significant role in the society of the 1800s. European countries entered a new stage of development, the so-called “age of Enlightenment”. Actually, the picture of religion’s character in about 1800 was less savage. Religious toleration was in the basis of that period.
These two pictures allow the reader to draw clear comparisons, and see what had changed, and how much had changed. The medieval and modern eras provided considerable changes in religious dimensions and attitudes. Religious toleration triumphed over religious persecution. Actually, the philosophy of Enlightenment highlighted religion as social tool to promote new ideas. The mission of religion was to promote social civilization as the basis of the privatization of faith (Kaplan, 2009). Freedom of religion dates back to the period of Reformation that took place in the 1600s. There was a shift in religion which was focused on new inner experience of people. For example, in Dutch culture, the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state were adopted in the Constitution of 1798. As a result, the Dutch Reformed church was established (Kaplan, 2009).The character of religion of that period reflected the link between civilization and enlightenment, in which Catholic ideas were interviewed with the Protectant ones. In other words, the new freedom of religion provided the opportunities for religious fragmentation that would exist in 20 and 21 centuries.
Question 2
Why did this change take place? What caused it and explains it? what are the most important factors which explain the changes from the earlier picture to the later picture you described in response to Question 1, and particularly which explain the appearance and gradual acceptance of “freedom of religion” and “separation of church and state”?
This change took place because there was a necessity to change social, economic and political development of European nations. Freedom of religion was one of the key factors that promoted economic growth and had a strong impact on economic performance of different nations. The separation of church and state fostered new attitudes toward religion, including the gradual acceptance of religious freedom (Kaplan, 2009). Reformed Church promoted the ideas of intellectuals, including their radical innovations. This fact means that “freedom of religion” and “separation of Church and State” contributed to the growth of civilization and progressive ideas. Actually, the position of the Reformed Church was crucial for the separation between Church and State (Kaplan, 2009). The state authorities realized that without religion, it was impossible to create civilized society. Religion provided the opportunities to develop morality and human values. The separation of Church and State can be explained as complex process aimed at promoting civilized society and reshaping religious freedom (Kaplan, 2009). The noninterference of the state in various religious matters highlights the necessity to promote free exercise of conscience of citizens in religion. Keeping church and state separately means to promote religious freedom and fair treatment of various religions. The laws of the state are socially accepted, as well as the laws of religion. This fact means that the laws of the state are firm, and the laws of religion are firm. Thus, church and state should have equal rights. The separation of Church and State promoted equal treatment (Kaplan, 2009). The most important factors which explain the changes from the earlier picture of religion to the later picture of religion described in response to Question 1, are political factors (changes in political relationships), social factors (changes in social attitudes) and economic factors (changes in economic development of the nations). Absolute separation of Church and State reduced the power of religious groups to promote their religious beliefs or practices in government settings, highlighting the principle of equality and national identity.
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