catholic and protestant reformers in the period from 1560 to 1660 had much in common with their approach to popular culture- how far do you agree?

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catholic and protestant reformers in the period from 1560 to 1660 had much in common with their approach to popular culture- how far do you agree?

Similarities

  • Both believe society needed to be more godly e.g. Lutherans, Anglicans and catholics both just wanted to adapt festivals not abolish them.
  • both believed that festivals and carnivals were too disorderly, elite all over distanced themselves from them not just protestants/catholics e.g. feast of food came to and end as both religious and political elite withdrew support
  • both protestants and catholics could be extreme in protecting their religion. e.g Heretical book and heretics burned Esp. in spain, calvinists in Scotland drew up list of recreation he believed should be abolished (Philip Stubbs) like May Games and bearbaiting, 1660 in England religious mystery plays had been abolished.

Differences

  • Catholics only wanted to adapt their religion, some protestants (calvinists) wanted to change it completely, calvinists translated bibles into virtually all European languages and had high priorities on reading the bible sermons and psalms, most protestants rejected the images of God as no one knew what he looked like, the 10 commandment states not to make images of god and heaven . Ordinary catholics still relied on ritual and imagery to worship.
  • calvinists sought out to end festivals completely, Philip Stubbs, Scottish calvinist believed many festivals should be abolished. catholics only wanted more piety on saints's days and cult of saints was more controlled but still flourished.
  • Catholics were more extreme by execution, it brought fear and so absolute control over public, protestants couldn't abolish cultures such as festivals as it was too popular and the people simply changed what they were celebrating for. E.G Oliver Cromwell was puritan and banned holidays such as Christmas but after he died they brought back the monarchy who in turn Brought back festivals.

Overall comparison

I agree with that Protestantism was not homogenous, there were some protestants who were similar to catholics (lutherans and anglicans) but other which were complete opposites (puritans and calvinists). there was disagreements within Protestantism over what constituted as evil and what needed to be reformed.However, a lot of protestant ideologies shared across the different Protestantism was shared and opposed the catholic church, e.g translating the Bible to common languages. 

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