World War I and religion
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Christian institutions in Jerusalem
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
Prior to World War I, the Greek Orthodox Church received much of its income from pilgrimage; however, the war halted pilgrimage, and the impact of this, combined with a heavy tax levied on those who did not want to fight in the war[clarification needed] contributed to the church borrowing large amounts of money that left it defective[clarification needed] for the duration of the war.
Elsewhere, as
Unity among Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish American soldiers
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
When the United States entered the First World War, the most prominent religious groups in America were Protestants, Catholics and Jews. The conflict served to unite these religions despite their differences and dissolve the idea that Jews and Catholics were inferior to Protestants. The loyalty to the same God and same country helped soldiers put aside their religious differences for the good of the war. Tense conditions still existed between these three religious groups, but efforts were made to provide equal opportunities to each. A committee called the Committee of Six represented the three faiths in the formation of new policy in the United States.[3]
Spiritualism
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
World War I also brought a focus on the afterlife and developed spiritualism into a religion. Spirituality was enticing to those dealing with death and loss of faith after the First World War, as some found Christianity lacking in its treatment of and beliefs about death.
The Church of England
For national churches, such as
In the United States
Traditional peace denominations such as the Mennonites and the Quakers expressed antiwar sentiments. It can be said overall, however, that opponents of the war were scarce in number. [5]
The Vatican
Throughout the papacy of Pope Benedict XV, Benedict spoke out against the war having condemned it outright within the first week of his office saying, "the appalling spectacle of this war that has filled the heart with horror and bitterness, observing all parts of Europe, devastated by fire and steel, reddened with the blood of Christians". He declared that war was "the bane of God's wrath," and appealed to the Central Powers and the Allies of World War I to speedily end the war. [6]
Sikhism
Known for their bravery and distinction in warfare,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The participation of members from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in World War I provided an opportunity for members of the LDS Church to clearly define themselves to the world. In a time where many negative commentaries about church were circulating, the War served to help in efforts to accurately portray the church.[8] During this time, Mormons were accused of being disloyal to the United States of America. In 1886, a district attorney for the state of Utah was quoted to have said "We wish to say that the so-called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is steeped in disloyalty to the Government of the United States...We say, more than that, that the purpose of this Church here, one of its particular purposes, is to overthrow the American home and overturn the family altar in this country."[9]
The soldiers of the LDS Church's active duty in the war fought against the idea that members of the LDS Church were not loyal to their country. In fact, many LDS men enlisted in the military for the sole purpose of trying to prove such accusations as false. Such soldiers also left notable impacts on their fellow comrades throughout their active participation in military service.[10]
The LDS Church is known for its
Women of faith in the war
World War I made women into more influential figures in society, due to their symbolic necessity in representing their faith. It was women of faith that actively engaged in provided aid, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, to soldiers in need during the violence of the war. Additionally, women assisted in actual religious pursuits and activities. They held and supported positions that would not have been previously available to them.
Women in the
Hinduism
Around 100,000
Judaism
Jews served in the war for several different reasons, with many enlisting in order to join with fellow citizens in combat; another driving factor was the desire to engage in conflict against Russia, a nation known for being oppressive to Jews. Many felt the need to help their fellow Jewish comrades in dire circumstances.
Due to the destruction of Habsburg Monarchy and the Russian Empire, new nations were formed that developed different relations with the Jewish people than before World War I. The Jews became more recognizable and distinctive in the new states established thus creating greater Jewish influence.[14]
Islam
During World War I, the Ottoman Empire was under an immense amount of pressure to engage in the conflict. Leaders of the empire attempted to maintain neutrality for a time, but the pressure for inclusion only increased. The official religion of the Ottoman Empire during this time was Islam, making joining the war was a topic of controversy in the Islamic state, as Islamic law includes strict guidelines in regards to involvement in wars.
In October 1914, the Ottoman Empire faced enough pressure from Germany to agree to commence an attack on the Russian Navy stationed in the Black Sea. The Ottoman Empire deceptively claimed that they were attacked by Russia, hiding the fact that their presence in the Black Sea was to deliberately cause conflict with Russia. This event ultimately led to Russia's involvement in World War I.
Many[
During the war, 2.5 million Muslims from British India fought for the Allies, the majority of these soldiers hailing from regions which today constitute modern day Pakistan. Although these soldiers were having problems on how to pray during the intense battles of trench warfare on the Western Front however they still fought with great distinction and some even earned Victoria Crosses, the most prominent being Khudadad Khan who was the first Indian soldier to ever be awarded the cross. Other soldiers included Mir Dast and Shahamad Khan, all three of whom were from modern day Pakistan.
Participation of thousands of Muslim soldiers from North Africa and South Asia in the war, fighting for and with the colonial powers, was one of the most significant factors that began the modern settlement of Muslims in European countries such as England and France. In many places, their contribution to the war efforts and settlement in Europe following it forced political authorities to consider things that were not done earlier, such as establishing Muslim cemeteries, financing, or at the very least allowing the building, of mosques, and more.
References
- S2CID 147379763.
- S2CID 145379003.
- ISSN 0009-6407.
- ISSN 1740-3553.
- ^ Jenkins, Philip. The Great and Holy War: How World War I Changed Religion For Ever. Oxford: Lion, 2015.
- ^ Jenkins, Philip. The Great and Holy War: How World War I Changed Religion For Ever. Oxford: Lion, 2015.
- ^ Stanley, Peter. Die in Battle, Do Not Despair: the Indians on Gallipoli,1915. Primus Books, 2017.
- OCLC 368052555.
- ^ 1 "In a Nut Shell: A Strong Indictment Presented by the U. S. Attorney," The Salt Lake Daily Tribune, vol.
- OCLC 368052555.
- ISSN 0094-7342.
- S2CID 145642070.
- ^ "The Gurkhas". National Army Museum, London, UK. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Rozenblit, Marsha L., and Jonathan Karp. World War I and the Jews Conflict and Transformations in Europe, the Middle East, and America. Berghahn Books, 2017.
- ^ Zürcher Erik Jan. Jihad and Islam in World War I: Studies on the Ottoman Jihad on the Centenary of Snouck Hurgronje's "Holy War Made in Germany". Leiden University Press, 2016.
External links
- Jonathan H. Ebel: Religion (USA), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Daniel Reynaud: Religion (Australia), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Maria Lúcia de Brito Moura: Religion (Portugal), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Patrick J. Houlihan: The Churches, in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Stuart Bell: Church of England, in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Stéphane Tison: Commemoration, Cult of the Fallen, in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Oliver Janz: Mourning and Cult of the Fallen (Italy), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Patrick J. Houlihan: Religious Mobilization and Popular Belief, in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Maria Paiano: Religious Mobilization and Popular Belief (Italy), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Charles Keith: Religious Missionaries and the Colonial State (Indochina), in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
- Vivek Chaudhary: [1]