Religion， Authority， Support—the Interaction Between Religion and Society in the Religion Reformation Period in UK

Abstract：Due to the spread of Christianity and defending against the invasion， Roman Catholic was becoming the most trusted religious leader and the Holy became an independent political force in the sixth century.From a system of beliefs to a symbol of authority in the society， it seems that religion took a fascinating turn.Before the sixteenth century，Europe was under the single spiritual authority of the Roman Catholic Church.The meaning of religion changed again because of Henry VIII’s divorce，which further prove the interaction between religion and society.After that，even until now，most people want to identify themselves with dominant values in the United Kingdom，so they regard religion the spiritual patron.And what can not be ignored are influences of the religion reformation on Britain.

Key words：Religion；Society；the United Kingdom；Religion Reformation；interaction

1. Introduction

Religion，in our general idea，is always related to God，church，baptism，Bible and so on.However， religion not only influences people as an ideology，but also plays a great role in politics，culture and economy.It does have a considerable effect on society ，which happens in every country，not excepting the United Kingdom.Since I am interested in religion study，I have tried to do a research into the word“religion” mainly in Religion Reformation Period in UK and a research about influences of interaction of the religion and society that time and now.

2. The Evolution Effects on Society

2.1. \"Religion\" to \"Religion Authority\"

Due to the spread of Christianity and defending against the invasion， Roman Catholic was becoming the most trusted religious leader.This was not only improved the religious authority，but made the Holy See an independent political force in the sixth century.

From the five or sixth century，the authority of pope and the church expanded rapidly，even superior to the secular power.By the mid-Eight，the Papal States had formed in the central Italy.The pope is no longer only a religious leader，but a king having the secular power.In the ninth century，pope became the intercessor in the Western Christian World.It was what like in an innocent age.Under the theoretical rule，Pope is the supreme authority.They dominated the people and national affairs through theocracies.People are asked to pay taxes to the church and the church can maintain its power of the army，for example，the crusades.So we can image the theocracy supreme in that science behind age.

2.2.\"Religion Authority\" to Religious Support

Some phenomena in Britain religion are uniquely British.Actually，there is no state religion，that is to say，government has no right to interfere in people’s religious affairs.The freedom of religion after the Religion Reformation and the separation of state and church later guaranteed the basic principles against religious persecution.Various religious groups in UK have coexisted more harmoniously than the Old World.

Most people want to identify themselves with dominant values，and going freely to the church of one’s choice is a way of doing so，and of gaining acceptance in the face of a subtle demand for conformity.And the church is a place where people can meet others with whom they would like to make friends.People go to church and it helps them feel that they have a place in a community.

3. The Historic Significance of the Religious Evolution

3.1. The Influence on British Politics

Historically speaking， the Reformation introduced a great number of complicated factors into the relations of church and state.The solution Britain found was the establishment of one particular church，like the Church of England，where the monarch is supreme head.But the Church of England today is not a state church in the strict sense，since it receives no financial aid from the states，apart from salaries for non-clerical positions and help with church schools.The Church of Scotland is under much less state control than is the Church of England.

The Church of England still maintains a constitutional position in the legislature.In the House of Lords，26 Lords Spiritual，who are clergymen of the established Church of England，serve along with the Lords Temporal.

3.2. The Influence on British Economy

Since the Reformation，England enacted many bills，like the Act of succession and the Act of Supremacy through which it confiscated a great number of land and other property.That policy shook the super class in religion to its very foundation and lay solid foundation for English nation.The dissolution of the monasteries and the redistribution of land offered a great opportunity and convenience for the Enclosure Movement in 16th .

Comparing with the neighboring country of England， they were very unluckily. They got into the religious war for a long time and suffered huge losses in it. But England avoided the religious war because of the soft religious policy of Elizabeth. And in the other side， when the religious war became increasingly intense in Europe， more and more people escaped to England. The migrations also brought many advanced techniques to England and they accelerated the development of England. In the eyes of Queen Elizabeth， she welcomed the migrations and just need they obey the Anglican Church. So the soft religious policy advanced the development of England and laid the foundation of English future mightiness.

4. Conclusion

On the one hand，due to the spread of Christianity and defending against the invasion， Roman Catholic was becoming the most trusted religious leader and the Holy became an independent political force in the sixth century.

On the other hand，because of corruption and abuse of power within the Church and the inspiration by another reformation called the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther，Henry VIII decided to simply separate the entire country of England from the Roman Catholic Church due to the disagreement in divorce..It has a great effect on British politics，economy and culture nowadays，which proves the complex relationship between religion transformation and society.

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