2. RELIGION:TOLERANCE, CHURCH AND STATE RELATIONS

3. BACKGROUND  Churches have special significance within the integration of Europe. They formed an important part of Europe culture.  Some leaders such as Maria Theresa placed more emphasis on religion. She argued that it is the duty of the leader the keep people from going to hell.

4. THE CHURCH AND THE STATE  Despite the influence of religion during the eighteenth century, the age of enlightment, people began to loose interest in religion and become more secular.  People began to reason instead of following religion dogmatically.  The church was known to be wealthy due to people in the church paying their tax to the church.  The catholic church dominated the upper class of the society.  Problem between church and state started when the catholic began to look for higher authority in the government.

5. CHURCH AND STATE (cont’d)  The Jesuit (a catholic movement) were known for their involvements in educating children of catholic aristocrats.  People tends to be more anti-religion in their thoughts and their ways of life.  The catholic church and the protestants dominated the social class in the society.

6. CHURCH AND STATE (cont’d)  The catholic church dominated the upper class of the society.  Problem between church and state started when the catholic began to look for higher authority in the government.  The Jesuit (a catholic movement) were known for their involvements in educating children of catholic aristocrats. The Jesuits were the adviser to the catholic authority and they tend to influence the political affairs.  The untamed success of the clergy led to problems and the Portuguese destroyed their power and their properties were confiscated.

7. CHURCH/STATE  The Jesuits were further expelled from France in 1764 and from Spain in 1767. Their society was dissolved in 1773.  All these events resulted in naturalization of the church by the state.  The state continue to limit the power of the church.

8. RELIGIOUS PROBLEM  The major problem of religion is intolerant.  A protestant can not enjoy free civil or political right in a catholic dominated country and vice- versa.  The problem of intolerant started with the creeds.  If the creeds is different, then one thinks that the other religion is teaching heresy.

9. REFERENCES  Robbers, G. (1996). State and Church in the European Union. Available on-line: www.unitrier.de/uni/fb5/robbers/suk/SUKENG.H TML www.unitrier.de/uni/fb5/robbers/suk/SUKENG.H TML  Spielvogel, J.J.(1999). Western Civilization Canada:Wadsworth.