The Religion of England for BA Students

                The Religion of England

Introduction:

The Reformation movement led into the division of two groups the Catholics and Protestants. Catholics remained loyal to the Pope. Protestants protested against the Pope. Catholic Church was suppressed in England. 

The National religion of England: 

The national religion of England is Anglicanism or the church of England. It was started by Henry VIII and established by Queen Elizabeth I. There is much in common between the Anglican church and the Catholic church. 

Anglicanism: 

I. Anglicanism doesnot accept the supremacy of the Pope. 

II. It doesnot give high honour to Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. The Archbishop is appointed by the king or queen. 

High Church and Low Church: 

During 17th century, with in the church of England there were two groups, 

              High church

              Low church. 

The high church gave importance to the authority. The low church didn't give importance to the authority. The high church has a small group of people known as the Anglo-catholics. 

Non-conformist: 

There were people who were not satisfied with the church reform effected by Queen Elizabeth. Those people, were nicknamed as puritans. These Dissenters are now called as Non-conformists. 

Methodism: This movement started in 1729 with the preaching of John Wesley. Wesley believed in armenianism, a doctrine taught by Armenius. George Whitefield believed in Calvin's doctrine of predestination. 

Baptism: The Baptist as a distinct came into existence during the 17th century. They admit to holy Communion. The most famous of English Baptist was Joh Bunyan's The Pilgrims Progress. 

Congregationalists:

Anglican settlement under Elizabeth I proved to be unacceptable to the puritans. One group wished to reform the church from within, but the other group wished to separate themselves completely from the Anglican church. The latter came to be known as the Congregationalists. 

Presbyterians:

The church is managed by elders or presbyters. Preaching is done by elders. 

Quakerism: 

This was started by George Fox, a Quaker. The Quakers quaked or trembled as they spoke under the alleged divine inspiration. They refused to take part in war. This form of worship is simple. They are against all dogma. 

Unitarianism: 

It upholds the doctrine that God is one person. This thought was spread in European countries like Poland and Hungary by Faustus and few others after the Reformation.Coleridge became a Unitarian. 

Adventists: 

The first coming of Christ was the savior of the world, but the second was expected to be as judge of mankind. They believed in the second coming of Christ.