Clericalism is a trend in politics and ideology, the purpose of which is to strengthen and strengthen the influence of the church in all areas of life. His ideal is a form of government in the state that concentrates power in the hands of the clergy and the head of the church. Read more about the fact that this is clericalism from the review.
Dictionary word
The meaning of "clericalism" is as follows. This is an ideological as well as a political direction in the activity of the church. Within its framework, attempts are being made to embody the aspirations for its enhanced influence on politics and public life. Example: “Can one compare the humble, quiet Russian Orthodoxy with the clericalism of Europe - prejudice, gloomy, conspiratorial, crafty and cruel?”
It is said of his origin that the word came to Russian from the Latin language. There is an adjective clericalis, the meaning of which is “spiritual”, “church”. It was formed from the noun clericus, which means "clergyman", "cleric". The latter comes from the ancient Greek noun κλῆρος in the meaning of "lots".
In order to better understand the meaning of the word “clericalism”, one needs to study other closely related concepts. We will talk about them below.
Who is this clerical?
The dictionary gives several interpretations of this term.
- The representative of the church, having the dignity. Example: “A state organization in a theocratic Muslim society has a religious foundation, there is no separation of the church from the state, and there is no clergyman who is separated from the layman.”
- Adherent, supporter of clericalism. Example: "If you turn to the archives of religious orders, then, most likely, there will be information about the monstrous abuses, perversions and sacrilege of clerics."
- Member of the party of churchmen. Example: “As it turned out, the proponents of the regime were not only royalists, but also liberals of all stripes and clericals. And among them were citizens who did not join any parties. ”
Continuing the consideration of the fact that this is clericalism, one more word should be studied.
Clerical - which one?
Regarding this adjective, dictionaries say the following.
- Associated with the meaning of the nouns “clericalism” and “clerical”. Example: "Clerical circles have been tough against the political rights of women."
- Inherent to clericals and clericalism, characteristic of them. Example: "There was great hope that the German state would nevertheless implement a departure from the clerical foundations."
- Associated with church life, religious morality. Example: "Both professors, students, and superiors were all obliged to obey the strictest clerical discipline."
- Belonging to the clericals. Example: “To go against the decisions of the people has always been his skate, so he was reborn from a republican into a defender of opposing interests - aristocratic and clerical.”
To further clarify that this is clericalism, it will be discussed in more detail about its goals.
The ideal is theocracy
Carriers of clericalism are the clergy and persons who are associated with the church in one way or another. This trend uses in achieving its goals not only the apparatus available to the church, but all kinds of organizations and sympathetic political parties.
And he also attracts women's, youth, cultural, trade union organizations, in the creation of which it takes part. The creation of clerical parties proceeded in parallel with the formation of parliamentarism. As for the studied concept as an ideal and worldview, it is much older.
The ideal of clericalism is the creation of a theocratic society and state in which church structures, through legislatively established institutions, have a decisive influence on politics and other areas of society. For example, this was the case in the 16th century, when Jean Calvin introduced strict religious regulation in Geneva, at that time a city-state.
Today's example is the Republic of Iran. Although there are secular bodies in the form of a president, government, parliament, they have a leader elected for life. Officially, he is the spiritual and political leader in the country.
Since the 80s. of the last century, the concept being studied is gradually striving to expand. Now it includes any activity initiated by believers, clergy, religious and religious-political movements.