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Taking a look at the history of Europe, from darkness to Enlightenment, shows how every aspect of the society was dominated by religious practices. Due to lack of scientific reasoning issues were adhered on the basis of superstitions and faith. Church had control over the politics and society to the extent that from the nomination of the kings along with the subordinate rulers to the collection of taxes, all was carried out by it. The decisions at state level were taken by the church.
There was only religious knowledge monopolized by the church authority. There was a complete censorship to publish a book or any other writings. What was to be published were religious books under the reserved copyrights of the church. Any person who dared to write any book or translate any religious work to a local language was likely to be sentenced to death. In 1663, John Twine was put to death due to publishing an unknown writer’s book making king responsible before the people.
The general public was so tired of the everyday religious festivals affecting their economic activities. It was necessary to have the statues of Jesus and Mary in each house and in public places. In order to please God and get protection from his wrath people had to give money, jewelry and other costly materials to the church where there were the families of popes living luxuriouss lives.
Despite of mentioned powers and control of the church, it also encroached in the personal lives of the people.
Private property and foreign trade was banned and luxurious life was condemned and prohibited for general masses. In the late sixteenth century church started writing forgiveness pamphlets for died backslid to be paid by their relatives. Poor couldn’t afford ‘buying’ forgiveness. So every aspect of the people life was completely dominated and everyone was tired of this control of church on politics, education, trade and business and their personal lives.
Europe entered into enlightenment when knowledge reached to the general public through the freedom of printing press.
In such state of affairs, Martin Luther challenged practices of the church by displaying his 95 theses poster on the door of the church. Church issued different fatwas declaring him as a pig who have entered in the garden of the king Martin Luther sparked Protestant Reformation. After this movement different others movements started in Europe and printing press played a vital role in the publishing of books, periodicals and newspapers etc. The intellectuals and scientists established different associations where they freely shared their ideas with each others. It is said that by the end of 18th century about two-third of the European people had started reading.
To conclude we can say that Europe entered into enlightenment when knowledge reached to the general public through the freedom of printing press. For masses to progress, knowledge and education should be free from any compulsion so that societies are developed on the foundation of rationality and logic.
The author, Ziaullah Khan, is a fresh graduate in Social Sciences from Govt. Post Graduate College, Mansehra.
