Early Modern Era Religion

The early modern era was a time of religious growth. The big religions at the time that arose were Christianity, Hindu, and Muslim. A reoccurring theme with these religions is fragmentation. With Christianity for example, Christianity took one form, Roman Catholic Christianity, however soon it branched off into another form, Protestantism. There are many differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism but the main one is Catholicism is geared towards regulations, rules, and hierarchy whereas Protestantism is based on religious text and has a more spiritual approach. This split is called the Protestant Reformation. It was founded by Luther who disagreed with the Catholic church authority and decided to create his own religion. Both Catholicism and Protestantism is still practiced in present day. Together they form Christianity. It was spread throughout Europe and Asia during the early modern era. Simultaneously in the Asian world, the religion of Islam was being spread. This religion focuses on adding their practices to current ones (Strayer 735). It makes it easier for one to convert to Islam. However, as time went on it became hierarchal like Catholicism (Strayer 735). There were Islamic authority similar to Catholic priests. Later, people in Asia began to question religion as a valid explanation for everything in life. They were curious about the world around them. This lead to development of Confucianism. It is more fact based and focused on questioning and precision (Strayer 738). It became a Segway into a new ideology, modern science. People during the modern era believed the god(s) controlled everything they can and can't see. Once people questioned, skepticism ensued and people broke off religion. Religion was key in conquests of other countries. It became justification for Europe to conquer other countries. The justification was that people needed to be converted to their religion whether Christianity or Islam .However, established religion was also what gave way to science. If people didn't question religion as the end all answer, there would be no science. Religion has played big roles in history. It is what caused wars, conquests, developments, the good and bad of history. There are disagreements of what is the right religion or even if religion is necessary. Everyone has their own belief and I believe we should keep it that way. Nobody should have the right to force their ideology onto someone but I believe we have the right to have freedom to express our own religion or ideology. Without religion, life today would be drastically different.