TRS 1320 From Terror to Tolerance
(formerly TRS 132)
In 1500, religious differences in the Christian West were suppressed, those who disagreed with official beliefs were viewed as threats, and those judged to be heretics were executed. By contrast, today and throughout Western societies, religious differences are generally tolerated and legally protected, not only among Christians, but among all religions, and many celebrate the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious communities in their own countries. The five centuries between these two scenes tell a story of a profound change, which those in Western societies largely view favorably. This course makes two broad inquiries: What were the key factors that caused this enormous transformation in how religions and religious differences are viewed and treated in Western societies? And what have been, and what are today, the challenging consequences of, and responses to, this change, including the growing secularization of society, the privatization of religion, divergent responses to this change within Western societies, and collisions with external cultures and religions that have not gone through this change?
Distribution
Theology & Religious Studies