The Role of Religion in Modern Europe.

Introduction: 

                 In Pakistan the role of Religion is immense. There are two kinds of people in Pakistan: secular and religious. The latter want to see Pakistan as as a paragon of Islam while the former think of Europe as the benchmark of success. They always look to Europe for guidance in every state of Affairs.  Religious people, on the other hand, vehemently detest secular people for their penchant towards Europe. 

A harsh Reality:

Undoubtedly, Europe is miles ahead of muslim countries. It is free from any religious involvement in its daily state affairs. When you visit Church in Europe on sunday you will not find much people. Similarly, its books are free from religious teachings. Not only sciences books but also books related to social sciences are immune from religious trespassing. Only theology students read and write about religion. And when it comes to politics, their political parties, either Left-Wing or Right-wing, don't contest elections using religion. America is an exception to that. 

Historical role of Religion in Europe:

If we were to go back 500 years in Europe, we would find a picture diametrically opposed from the present one. Religion was widespread at that point in time. Everything was done according to the instructions of religion.  This made the church powerful so much so that the kings owed their rule to church. But when Europe moved from the medieval periods to modern period, people threw religion out of their life. But how did this transformation happened? Let's find out!

                              It is commonly believed that in Europe Rationalism  and Science weakened the sway of Church. You probably had had heard about the famous trials of Galileo and Copernicus. If you don't know about them I will write another blog on them. But today I will tell you about those reasons which brought about this change. And they are connected with politics.

 

                         As we all know, medieval Europe was a feudalistic society. And the Church at that time was epitome of feudalism. It owned one-third land of Europe. Therefore, the Church was brimming with wealth. Because Feudal lords got their money from the works of their serfs. Although Jesus Christ didn't preach about feudalism, Church mixed up religion and feudalism to serve its vested intrests. Things went well uptill 16th century. After that, a new and powerful merchant class reared its head. They tried to eradicate the tentacles of church through religion. A new sect of Christianity was born. Protestantism was its name. These merchants class used religion because people wouldn't have accepted other modes of change. Diamond cuts diamond. 

                          Their use of religion attracted serfs to their sides. And three decisive battles rooted out the monopoly of chruch. Let's discuss these battles briefly. 

1. Protestant Reformation: 

It occurred in Germany from 1523 to 1525. It is also called Lutheran Revolt. Because Martin Luther, a priest, initiated it. When luther visited Vatican, he saw wealthy bishops, priests, and pope. He didn't like it. So, he started revolting against the corruption of Church. And when he reached Germany, he wrote 99 thesis and pasted them on the doors of various Churches. This caused protests across Germany. Protestantism, the very name, was given to those people who were protesting against the Church. These revolts were vicious. They took many lives. So, Martin Luther preached against the revolution which he started in the first place. In addition to this, some merchants were also against this blood-letting and violence. 

       From this discussion, it can be said that the Protestantism spread like a wild fire in Europe. But it was unable to destroy the hegemony of Church. 

2. Cromwellian Revolt started in  1648 in England. And it lasted upto GLORIOUS REVOLUTION (1688) in one shape or other.  Glorious Revolution snatched the powers of king and made him a puppet. This was called constitutional monarchy.

But it gave birth to a new philosophy: 

Deistic form of Materialism. The latter says that God has made this universe according to some specific rules and laws. And now God is not interfering in its affairs. These ideas were, ironically, accepted by Royalists but not by middle class. But now these ideas reached France. (See my next blog on Glorious Revolution) 

3. The french Revolution (1789): 

France's middle class accepted these ideas and said this revolution has nothing to do with religion. We are fighting for our political rights. But England and many other nations were against this "insanity". England at this time experienced a new thing: Industrial Revolution. 

                             This revolution brought proletariat to close proximity. And in 1824 they pressurised the parliament to approve the formation of trade unions. And these proletariat made their own political party called

 "The Chartists". And this was the first labour party in the history of human civilization. 

                         In 1848, revolutions were witnessed all across continental Europe. Although they failed, it stirred a commotion in the hearts of capitalists in England. The latter used religion to appease their people. They called various priests to justify their sufferings. These priests put whole blame on their fate and invented new concepts like heaven and hell. They told the people that they will go to heaven after suffering all these hardships in this world. 

Conclusion:

We can draw the following conclusions:

1. History is complex. It is not linear. 

2. Religion is always used to serve one's own vested intrests. Its example can be seen through the feudal clergy. 

3. Deistic form of Materialism brought about revolution which has nothing to do with religion. It led England to propagate religious teachings. 

Questions:

1. What caused decline of religion in europe? 

2. What are the religious and social issues of europe? 

3. Can you trace the history of religion in europe? 

4. What was the role of religion in the early modern period? 

5. How important is religion to the history of europe from the middle ages to the early modern period?