Protestant-Catholic Conflict from the Reformation to the 21st Century : The Dynamics of Religious Difference

Taking a fresh look at the roots and implications of the enduring major historic fissure in Western Christianity, this book presents new insights into the historical dynamics of Protestant-Catholic conflict while illuminating present-day contexts and suggesting comparisons for approaching other entrenched conflicts in which religion is implicated.

This book takes a fresh look at the roots and implications of the enduring major historic fissure in Western Christianity, which has had profound implications for culture, social life, politics and international relations across five centuries. It presents expertly informed historical research in a manner that relates meaningfully to contemporary and cross-disciplinary concerns. It explores the origins, perpetuation, reactivation and resolution of such conflicts, giving particular attention to the interaction of religious belief with other factors, including the impact of nationalism and the role of local contingencies. New insights into the historic dynamics of Protestant-Catholic conflict not only illuminate present-day contexts (such as Northern Ireland and the United States) where such polarities persist, but will also suggest instructive comparisons for approaching other seemingly entrenched conflicts in which religion is implicated, such as the perceived ''clash of civilisations'' between Christianity and Islam.