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Why the Toleration Act proved to be a significant turning point inthe history of Christianity
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Why the Toleration Act proved to be a significant turning point in the history of Christianity Religious intolerance was normal practice throughout the Middle Ages, the Reformation bringing with it much persecution. Christian Anti-Semitism fuelled the religious insecurity prevalent in Europe but by the end of the sixteenth century Poland, the Dutch Republic and France had reached a state of 'tolerance', being in contrast to the religious intolerance still present in England at this time. The passing of the Toleration Act in 1689 appears to have been a close call, coming as it did during a particularly unstable period, making its conception all the more surprising. However, the practical achievement of the Act was remarkable, it being the first time in English history that dissenters such as Quakers, Presbyterians, Independents and Baptists were recognised by law and given a right to free worship. The significance of the Act must be...
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