Relationship Between The Church And The State - 1709 Words

The relationship between the Church and the State is a controversial topic that sparks great political discourse. Since the period of the Great Reformation in Europe to the contemporary religious and political establishments, suspicion and dishonesty continue to define the relationship between the Church and political leadership in the society. On one hand, the Church maintains its moral duty: to oppose and stand against any form of excessive use of political power, to cause suffering and create inequality in the society. On the other hand, the State accuses the Church of moral high-headedness and accuses it of using its position and influence in the society to breed disloyalty in the masses towards their political leaders. These scenarios†¦show more content†¦In fact, the priests seem to suggest that it is better to suffer and die quietly than to be caught up in a feud with the King, â€Å"I fear for the Archbishop, I fear for the Church† (Eliot 17). Indeed, the retu rn of Archbishop Thomas Becket signifies the resurrection of political upheaval and enmity between these two sides of leadership, and the priests become apprehensive of Beckets return (Cedars). The play is evident of central themes that reveal the political thinking of T.S. Eliot. The play seamlessly connects the past with the present revealing the religious act of ritual worship and prayer. Further, the play is the story of one man’s struggle through life confronting personal pride and self-will towards spiritual purity. Indeed, Eliot uses a systematic display of three entities to demonstrate the intricacies of the present discourse. Further, these themes are a reflection of Eliot’s political thinking. First, in the first part of the play, Eliot reveals the spiritual struggles and internal forces confronting Thomas Becket and how he overcomes these forces as seen in the Christmas Day sermon (Butcher). Secondly, the murder of the archbishop takes place in the second p art of the play and Eliot shows its meaning and effects on the folks of Canterbury (Butcher). Lastly, the end of the play shows the knights and the audience and the political justifications of Archbishop’s murder or death. Martyrdom is the act of dying forShow MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between State and Church Essay901 Words   |  4 PagesThus every person has the right to pray in school. When prayer was still allowed in school crime was at a low rate. Basically there was less crime everywhere. We consider the good ole days when basic morals were taught at home. When the difference between right and wrong was enforced. When family and religion was considered the most valuable and precious things to have. Now look at the mess we have created. 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