The Enlightenment Research Paper

A Time of Enlightenment

“It is only prudent never to place complete confidence in that by which we have even once been deceived.” These words by René Descartes shed an illuminating light on the way The Enlightenment changed society's views on religion in regards to its role as an authoritative agent governing the thoughts of its people. Descartes brought about the initial spark needed to fuel the flames of The Enlightenment and has been regarded as a very influential figure in the movement. This revolutionary change in ideals still effects the governments present in today's world. What began with the “Discovery of a Man,” quickly gained traction in the era of enlightenment and grew into a full fledged epiphany surrounding man's existence

and capabilities as a whole. The Church had previously retained the most influential hold over the minds of the people and had been doing so for nearly fifteen centuries. With the realization that man could become a singular being of thoughts and actions performed of his own accord came the doubt of the Church and its divine teachings. Many influential thinkers of this time began seeking answers about the nature of man and the role of a government that did not include a religious base, which for the Church, was unheard of. Despite the opposition, the enlightenment of men about their own nature forever changed the dynamics between religion and government.
Some of the critical evidence held against the Church that would no doubt lead to questioning its overall purpose and truth was created by the Church itself.

During this time the Church was in control of the commercial and economic endeavors of the bankers and merchants. They began to realize that the more money and power the Church was allowed to handle, the less control the people had. The people began seeking a more secular solution for the acquisition of their own monetary earnings. The thought process was essentially that of cutting out the middle man; remove the Church's involvement and the power would be returned to the people. This was only the beginning of the dangerous criticisms thrown at the Church. During this time people were becoming angry with hypocrisy being openly displayed. It was not uncommon for a priest to marry and then take mistresses, or the clergy to auction off religious offices to the highest bid. Corruption in the Church was no longer a whispered dispute, it had become an open exhibition of adulteration. Long gone were the days of loyalty and reverence, the Church had become a depraved image of authority and rule, not only in Europe, but France and Italy as well. People were steadily leading revolts against the economic and political control of their cities as well as objecting to the social and religious standards being forced upon them. While the Enlightenment did affect the view of the Church, it led to its own disgrace by constructing an

overbearing scheme that would restrict the advancements of science and belief to its own teachings.
Alongside the Church's mistakes and needless faults, were the ideals of the Enlightenment thinkers.

These played a large role in the descent of the Church from an elite aristocracy to a pious recourse that had already been shamed in the past. With the Enlightenment came the opposition of previous teachings, not only in the Church, but in the world of philosophy and science. Logic and reasoning became the base for understanding or disproving whatever methods had been taught before. Influential thinkers such as Descartes, Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau all advocated radical changes that opposed earlier doctrines. Locke's assessment of human nature led him to deduce the belief that all men were created with specific natural rights that were to be protected by the government. His belief was that there should be a small limited government in control. Hobbe's argues that a strong government is necessary to prevent an inevitable state of constant warfare. Montesquieu designed the system of Checks and Balances to protect the people and separate the powers in charge to prevent one branch from controlling everything. Voltaire actively believed in the right to free speech and advocated it fiercely in regards to the government and the Church. Rousseau believed that the government should be run by the will of the majority and that the will is in the best interest for the people. These doctrines brought about during the Enlightenment era would forever change the

symbiotic relationship betwixt the government and the Church.
In conclusion, the Enlightenment opened up a new wave of opinions that were not necessarily in favor of religion in the place of politics or economics. Many began to shift their beliefs from a religiously centered mind set to the development of one secular lifestyle. This did not ruin the Church permanently; however it did disgrace the image that had been held strong for nearly fifteen centuries. The Enlightenment built off the foundations set by the Renaissance and continued on with its own revelations that have helped shaped history and still effects our world today.