Religious Wars and Religious Freedom: A Troubled History
Religion has been an important factor in society since inception. It has helped shape cultural identities, morals, and politics in many lands. Throughout history, many world events have been the result of religion-driven conflicts and civil wars, such as the wars of religion in the 16th century. Equally as important as the conflicts, is the fight for religious freedom and civil liberty over the centuries. In recent times, there have been “peaceful” movements against oppressive governments that address religious freedom at their root. Here we take a look at the troubled history between religious wars and religious freedom.
Defining Religion Wars
Religious wars are wars that are fought due to socio-cultural conceptions of religion – usually categorized by an established faith and its deviations. Conflict between the two parties often result in a battle for the dominance of the ‘correct’ version of the religious beliefs. Over the centuries, countless wars have been fought on the grounds of religious differences.
The 16th Century Wars of Religion
In the 16th century in Europe, Roman Catholicism and certain forms of Protestantism (Lutheranism, Calvinism) came into conflict through political and religious reforms. Protestant ideas came tangle with the Catholic Church during the Reformation, providing conflicts and tensions. This ultimately led to the ‘Wars of Religion’ that lasted for over a decade between 1562 – 1598 in many European countries. This period of conflict saw mass turmoil and violent upheavals in many countries.
Religious Freedom in the United States
The first legal recognition of religious freedom in the New World was given in Maryland’s Act Concerning Religion in 1649. It established that religious freedom was a right and should be given to all citizens equally. Freedom of religious expression and practice was given in the Constitutions of all U.S. Colonies. With the publication of Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786, this ideal was enshrined in law across the United States. This statute ended all forms of legal religious discrimination, allowing individuals to openly practice their own faith without the threat of oppression.
Religion in Modern Conflict
In modern times, conflicts on religious grounds are still very common in the world, particularly in the Middle East and parts of Asia. However, instead of direct conflict, we see governments imposing restrictions on religious minorities in their countries. Some governments are also accused of oppressing religious minorities, silencing them and preventing them from carrying out public practice of their faith.
Religious Freedom Around the World
In today’s world, religious freedom is a fundamental human right and is recognized by many nations. Although not all countries have the protection of this right, or have effective policies in place to protect religious minorities, the concept is alive and reasonably well respected.
International Influence on Religious Freedom
The international community is more involved than ever in the fight for religious freedom in the world. The United Nations, in particular, has been very active in promoting basic rights and privileges, such as freedom of religious expression and practice. This can be seen through initiatives such as Resolution 16/18 and 17/19, which seek to advance fundamental freedoms and promote social cohesion.
The Efforts of Civil Movements
The advancement of religious freedom in the world has also been the result of peaceful civil movements. This is especially prominent with the Arab Spring, a series of pro-democracy and pro-human rights uprisings that occurred in several Arab countries in 2011. These uprisings, which were peaceful and aimed at bringing about a more equitable society, brought about a sense of hope for religious minorities in the Middle East. Religious freedom was at the heart of these movements, and much progress has been made ever since.
Religious wars have caused much destruction and turmoil in the world throughout history. Conversely, the fight for religious freedom has been equally as vital and now many countries recognize this basic right. With the help of international organizations, civil movements, and laws which advocate for religious freedom, we’re slowly moving away from the dark, troubled past of religious wars, and towards a more equitable and peaceful way of life.
