Religion & Science 1450-1750

Globalization of christianity

The Protestant Reformation Begins in 1517 Martin Luther – Ninety-five Theses One of many criticisms……… Theological difference Salvation – through faith rather than good works Bible, not Church teaching, is the ultimate authority Larger role to individual conscience Sale of indulgences Ideas begin a massive schism in Christian Europe Began as religious differences Developed into economic, social, & political tension German princes Religious legitimacy to middle class Tool for protest against social order

Protestantism attracted many women but… No more veneration of Mary & other female saints Convents were closed Some increase in education because of Bible reading Only Quakers gave women an official role Printing Press helped the new ideas spread quickly As the Reformation spread, new competing Protestant churches emerged Religious differences became involved in Europe’s political competition………. French Wars of Religion 1562-1598 (Hugenots vs Catholics) – Edict of Nantes in 1598 Thirty Years War 1618-1648 Defenestration of Prague – HRE Spread to the rest of Europe Germany lost 15-30 of population Peace of Westphalia (1648) – each state is sovereign & can decide own religious affairs

England: Case Study Henry VIII wants annulment from Catherine of Aragon Splits with Catholic Church, creates his own Divorce Political motive for reform, not religious 6 wives

Catholic counter-reformation Council of Trent (1545-1563) clarified Catholic doctrines & practices Corrected abuses & corruption protested by Luther New emphasis on education & supervision of priests Crackdown on dissidents New attention of individual spirituality & piety New religious orders committed to renewal & expansion – Jesuits

New Thinking Reformation encourages skepticism toward authority & tradition Religious individualism Independent thinking…… Scientific Revolution Enlightenment

Christianity & European Expansion Christianity motivated & benefited from European expansion S & P see overseas expansion as continuation of crusading tradition Explorers combined religious & material interests (eg – GG&S – Pizzaro & Atahualpa) Colonization made globalization of Christianity possible Settlers & traders brought religion with them Catholic missionaries actively spread Christianity Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscan Portuguese in Africa & Asia Spain & France in Americas Russian in Siberia Most of the success was in Spanish America & the Philippines

Spanish america Natives were responsive because: Death, conquest, resettlement Europeans highly intolerant – many tried to destroy traditional religions Blending of religions common Local gods remained influential Immigrant Christianity took on patterns of pre- Christian life Christian saints took on functions of precolonial gods Many rituals survived, often with Christian influence

China & the Jesuits Christianity reaches China during the Ming & early Qing dynasties Different strategy – needed government permission Jesuits targeted scholar-gentry elite Matteo Ricci Dressed like scholar-gentry, emphasized exchange of ideas, always respectful of Chinese culture But…no mass conversion in China Why??? Unappealing as an “all or nothing” religion Regarded as affront to Chinese culture & the emperor’s authority

Afro-asian cultural traditions

African religious elements accompanied slave to the Americas Africanized forms of Christianity: divination, dream interpretation, visions, spirit possessions Europeans tried to stop – felt it was sorcery Some syncretic religions: Vodou, Santeria, Candomble, Macumba

The Islamic World Conquest ceases to play a role in conversions – wandering holy men, traders, & scholars now carry the message – offers connections to the wider, prosperous world of Islam Orthodox Muslims do not like the syncretism Conservative religious renewal in 18th century Jihads in West Africa Growing tension between localized and “pure” Islam Wahhabism – most influential Islamic renewal movement Arabian peninsula – 18th century – Abd-al-Wahhab Attempt to restore: Absolute monotheism & Strict adherence to the shaira Alliance with Muhammad Ibn Saud created a political state State was “purified” Reform movement associated with resisting Western cultural intrusion

China Expansion of Neo-Confucianism in both Ming & Qing China But…lots of debate & new thinking Wang Yangmin – virtuous life by introspection with Confucian tradition This individualism probably contributed to Manchu conquest of China Chinese Buddhism – withdrawal from world not necessary for enlightenment – made it more appealing to commoners Similar to Luther’s argument in Europe that individuals could seek salvation without help from priestly hierarchy Kaozheng (research based on evidence) Popular with elite Emphasized need for analysis, instead of unsupported speculation Led to new ideas in agriculture & medicine Scientific approach to knowledge Popular Culture with less-well educated

India – bridging the Hindu/Muslim Divide Bhakti movement – devotional Hinduism with effort to achieve union with divine through songs, prayers, dances, poetry, & rituals Very appealing to women and lower castes Some common elements with Sufism Mirabai – one of the best loved poets, refused to commit sati, took untouchable as her guru, and wrote poetry looking for union with Krishna Sikhism – religion that blended Hinduism & Islam Guru Nanak – part of the Bhakti movement, came to believe that Hinduism & Islam were one Set aside caste distinctions and proclaimed essential equality of men & women Development in Punjab region of India Evolved into militant community in response to hostility

Birth of modern science

Scientific revolution Intellectual and cultural transformation – 16th to 18th centuries Based on careful observations, controlled experiments, and formulation of general laws to explain the world. Radical departure from the “ancient” world – moving into the “modern” world Fundamentally altered ideas about the place of humankind in the universe Challenged teaching of the Catholic Church, traditional social hierarchies and political systems Used to legitimize racial and gender inequality By 20th century science was chief symbol of modernity around the world

Why Europe? 800-1400 Islamic world most scientifically advanced China’s technological & economic growth still superior But…..European conditions uniquely favorable to the rise of science Legal system with guaranty of some independence for variety of institutions Idea of “corporation” Autonomy of emerging universities Protestant Reformation Islamic world had growing disdain for scientific & philosophical inquiry China did not permit independent institutions of higher learning – emphasis on traditional Confucian teachings Europe can draw on learning from other cultures

Re-thinking the universe Ptolemaic theory vs. Copernican theory Galileo – Proved Copernicus correct Bacon – Scientific Method Kepler – laws of Planetary motion Harvey – Circulation of the Blood Newton – Law of Gravitation By end of 18th century, Europe was re-thinking the world Lots of opposition by Catholic Church

The Enlightenment Scientific Revolution gains wider appeal Scientific approach to learning applied to human affairs = “enlightenment” Belief that knowledge could transform human society Satirical, hostile, and critical of established authorities Attacked arbitrary government, divine right, and aristocratic privilege Many advocated education for women (shocking) Sometimes attacked established religion – deists and pantheists Influenced by growing global awareness Central theme on the idea of progress

Enlightenment Thinkers John Locke – natural rights - -life, liberty & property Adam Smith – laws of supply and demand determine price Montesquieu – separation of powers Voltaire – freedom of thought & expression Rousseau – individual freedom, social contract Wollstonecraft – women’s equality in education

In the19th century science was applied to new sorts of inquiry Charles Darwin Karl Marx Sigmund Freud Science became the most widely desired product of European culture but……Asia was not too interested Mistakes being made…. China only had selective interest Japan kept up with “Dutch Studies” Ottomans did not translate major European scientific works Only interested in ideas of practical utility – map, calendars, etc Islam’s educational system very conservative So…….Get ready for western domination!!!!!