Anti-clericalism

Anticlericalism is a term that describes criticism of or opposition to the officials and procedures of a religious organization. In this usage, the term has historically been applied to the Roman Catholic Church. However, it can apply to other denominations or religious traditions, such as Islam. Anticlericalism also encompasses the overall rejection of religious influence in political matters and in secular, or nonreligious, cultural organizations, such as schools and other public forums. At some points in history, anticlericalism has resulted in violence and persecution. In other cases, the opposition comes in the form of policies or laws that limit or reject church influence or authority. Anticlericalism can originate from outside of a religion or from within it.

Background

Opposition to religion has existed for as long as there have been faith traditions. Still, not all opposition to religion is anticlericalism. Historically, most anticlerical viewpoints have been based on opposition specifically to the clergy. This is evidenced in some of the literature from the Middle Ages, such as The Canterbury Tales (1387-1400), written by Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer satirizes many behaviors for which the clergy and other religious figures were criticized at the time. Such behaviors included the selling of indulgences and other unethical or immoral activities. The selling of indulgences allowed people to pay to be forgiven for their sins, which Christians believe comes through the grace and goodness of God.

There was much criticism of the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church over the next few centuries. People opposed corruption in the church hierarchy, especially the wealth accumulated by many in the clergy. Many also opposed the practices of buying church offices or gaining powerful positions through political appointments. In some cases in Europe, the lines between secular and religious authority became blurred, as political leaders used clergy they appointed to add the authority of the church to secular laws and proclamations.

From the sixteenth through the twentieth century, there were anticlerical movements in many countries. At one time, the church and the state worked hand in hand, with clergy even participating in the ceremonies that installed kings and queens into power. Yet, this started to change around the 1500s, as efforts to separate the church and secular authorities increased. Laws were passed restricting religious authority and prohibiting the favoring of any religious organization or faith in making policies. In some cases, people who opposed religion initiated these movements. In others, people who were part of the church started to speak out. They protested against the power held by the clergy and the actions the clergy took.

Some anticlerical movements were in opposition to religion itself. For instance, some communist countries sought to stamp out religion. In these nations, religious practices and observances were made illegal, and religious education was banned in all forms. Clergy were arrested, imprisoned, and, in some cases, executed.

Overview

Anticlericalism has been part of both church history and secular history. Often, it is most connected to the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The Great Schism of 1054 occurred when two parts of the Catholic Church disagreed on how it should be governed. Multiple popes were installed, and bishops were in open opposition to papal leadership. It led to the church dividing into two denominations: the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Disapproval of abuses of power and practices such as the selling of indulgences led to the Protestant Reformation beginning in 1517. German theologian Martin Luther is credited with starting the Protestant Reformation when he created a list of complaints against the leadership of the Catholic Church. This led to the establishment of another branch of Christianity, Protestantism, and a number of new denominations.

Although King Henry VIII of England initially supported the Catholic Church as the Reformation unfolded, the pope's refusal to grant him an annulment led Henry to exert his royal authority over church officials in England. The Act of Supremacy, passed in 1534, made Henry not only the king but also the head of the Church of England. As the head of one church, this allowed Henry and future British royals to take action against other churches, specifically the Roman Catholic Church.

In France, the secular leaders feared the power wielded by the clergy over the people, seeing it as an impediment to their own control. In 1790, French clergy were required to swear loyalty to the National Constituent Assembly, an anticlerical body. The majority refused to do so and were arrested. Other Catholics were also persecuted. As this anticlerical movement grew in size and aggression, Catholics and Christians in general were increasingly persecuted and even killed. These events contributed to the French Revolution (1789–1799).

Many other anticlerical movements occurred throughout Europe in the following decades, even in traditionally Catholic countries such as Italy, Poland, and Spain. Communist and socialist movements in the early nineteenth century further increased anticlerical actions in some areas. Increasing secularism, or the growing importance of nonreligious entities and practices over religious ones, also amplified opposition to the power and authority of church officials.

Sometimes, this opposition was in direct response to specific actions or behaviors by the clergy. Just as people in the Middle Ages objected to the wealth and power wielded by religious officials, others condemned activities such as sexual misconduct, drunkenness, and the use of church authority to gain personal favors. Other times, anticlericalism was based on church policies and rules, such as prohibitions against divorce and birth control and official stances on women's rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, or other issues with theological and cultural implications.

Anticlericalism continues in the twenty-first century. Movements promoting the separation of church and state and attempts to strip religion-related mentions and images from secular and nonreligious contexts are examples of anticlerical behavior. Some of this is based on disagreement with the behavior of some clergy, from televangelists to mainstream church pastors, who have abused their positions or committed unethical or immoral acts. Other anticlericalism is based on objections to official church positions regarding social issues. Anticlericalism played a role in the increasing divide between the secular and the religious in the United States. Internationally, anticlericalism still manifested in communist and post-communist countries worldwide.

Bibliography

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Gobry, Pascal-Emmanuel. "Why Religion Will Dominate the 21st Century." The Week, 10 Feb. 2016, theweek.com/articles/555371/why-religion-dominate-21st-century. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

Moore, Robert Ian, editor. The Birth of Popular Heresy, University of Toronto Press, 1975, pp. 27–63.

O'Loughlin, Michael. “US Bishops Name Top 5 Threats to Religious Freedom ahead of 2024 Election.” America: The Jesuit Review, 16 Jan. 2024, www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/01/16/us-bishops-threats-religious-freedom-246944. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

Robinson, Bruce. "An Overview of the Reformation." BBC History, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/tudors/reformation‗overview‗01.shtml. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.