Religious reform in the Age of Enlightenment - Essay Example

Religious reform in the Age of Enlightenment Thesis: This study holds that the culture of secularism and modernity emerged during the age of reason, thus transforming the traditional religion into a new religion of criticism and reason, as opposed to the blind faith that characterized religion before enlightenment. Why the selection this particular text? The Age of Enlightenment was a critical transformation period for the human civilization, considering the fact that it represents a period in the 17th century when the intellectuals took up the culture of reason and individuality, replacing the earlier custom of life that was based on traditions and faith (Damroschand Pike, 22).

In this respect, both the tradition and faith in religion were challenged, since the Age of Enlightenment sought to replace every aspect of human life with reason, including religion (Sorkin, 8). In this respect, the religious reform in the Age of Enlightenment then becomes an interesting topic, considering the fact that religion is fundamentally based on faith and traditions, yet the Age of enlightenment was introducing reason, thus creating a fundamental conflict that would see religion change.

Thus, despite the fact that religion does not auger well with reason and rationality; with rationality conflicting the provisions of the religious doctrine most of the time, then it will be interesting to see how reason and faith played to transform religion during this period. Therefore, the conflict between faith in religion and reason becomes the major reason why this topic has been selected. Concepts that will be used in your analysis of the text Secularism: This concept will be used to represent the non-religious culture of faithless action that is not based on any doctrines of religion or any sacred scripture, but solely dependent on the human reason, desire and freedoms (Shapin, 47).

Alternative Religion: This concept will feature in the analysis of the text, to represent other different options that emerged during the age of enlightenment, to replace the tradition of blind faith with reason as well as the freedom to act against the traditional religion and sacred traditions and doctrines (Ingram, 36). Religious reform: This is a concept that will be applied to represent the actual process of transitioning from the traditional religious ways and customs, to the new culture of secularism and rationality in faith doctrines.

Sources This analysis will apply a variety of sources to analyze the transformation process from the tradition and customs of blind faith to the new principle of rationality and reason in the age of enlightenment. First, historical books that have recorded the transition process as well as discussed the Age of Enlightenment in great lengths will be considered, to give a solid background of religion before and during this period. Scholarly articles and credible studies related to the Age of Enlightenment will also be considered as sources of information for the analysis.

Finally, major historical websites that have chronologically documented the transformations and changes in human civilization throughout history will also be considered, to backup and reinforce the already sought information from both the books and the scholarly articles. This combination will result in well researched and analyzed information that will be credible to show the religious reforms that occurred during the age of enlightenment. Works Cited Bradley, James E. Religion and Politics in Enlightenment Europe.

Notre Dame: Univ. of Notre Dame Press, 2001. Print. Damrosch, David, and Pike David L. The Longman Anthology of World Literature. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2009. Print. Ingram, Robert G. Religion, Reform and Modernity in the Eighteenth Century: Thomas Secker and the Church of England. Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 2007. Print. Shapin, Steven. A Social History of Truth: Civility and Science in Seventeenth-Century London: University of Chicago Press, 1994. Print. Sorkin, David J. The Religious Enlightenment: Protestants, Jews, and Catholics from London to Vienna.

Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008. Print.