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 such a form of government in the state, which concentrates power in the hands of the clergy and the head of the church. You can learn more about what this is clericalism from the review.
Word in dictionary
The following is said about the meaning of "clericalism". This is an ideological as well as a political direction in the activities of the church. Within its framework, there are attempts to embody the aspirations for its increased influence on politics and public life. Example: “Can the humble, quiet Russian Orthodoxy be compared with the clericalism of Europe – prejudicial, gloomy, conspiratorial, nosy and cruel?”.
It is said about its origin that the word came to Russian from the Latin language. There is an adjective clericalis, the meaning of which is "spiritual", "ecclesiastical". It was formed from the noun clericus, which means "priest", "cleric". The latter comes from the ancient Greek nounκλῆρος meaning "lot".
In order to better understand the meaning of the word "clericalism", you need to study other concepts closely related to it. They will be discussed below.
Who is a cleric?
The dictionary gives several definitions of this term.
- Representative of the church with a spiritual dignity. Example: "The state organization in a theocratic Muslim society has a religious basis, there is no separation of church and state and there is no cleric who is separated from the laity."
- Follower, 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 blasphemy of clerics."
- Member of the party of churchmen. Example: “As it turned out, the supporters of the regime were not only royalists, but also liberals of all stripes and clerics. And among them were citizens who did not join any parties.”
Continuing the consideration of the question that this is clericalism, one more word related to it should be studied.
Clerical - what is it?
The dictionaries say the following about this adjective.
- Associated with the meaning of the nouns "clericalism" and "clerical". Example: "Clerical circles were violently opposed to women's political rights."
- Characteristic of clericals and clericalism, characteristic of them. Example: "There was a bigthe hope that the German state will nevertheless carry out a departure from the clerical foundations.”
- Associated with church life, religious morality. Example: "Professors, students, and bosses were all required to obey the strictest clerical discipline."
- Belonging to the clerics. Example: "Going against the decisions of the people has always been his forte, which is why 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 said in more detail about its goals.
Ideal is theocracy
The carriers of clericalism are the clergy and persons who are connected 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 also they involve women's, youth, cultural, trade union organizations, in the creation of which it takes part. The creation of clerical parties went in parallel with the formation of parliamentarism. As for the concept under study as an ideal and worldview, it is much older.
The ideal of clericalism is the creation of a theocratic society and a state in which church structures, through legally established institutions, have a decisive influence on politics and other spheres of society. For example, this was the case in the 16th century, when John Calvin introduced strict religious regulation in Geneva, at that time the city ofstate.
Today's example is the Republic of Iran. Although there are secular bodies in the form of a president, government, parliament, a leader elected for life stands above them. Officially, he is the spiritual and political leader in the country.
Since the 80s. of the last century, the concept under study gradually tends to expand. Now it includes any activity initiated by believers, clerics, religious and religious-political movements.
