Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Anticlericalism
Anticlericalism was a movement beginning in the 14th century that represented a challenge to the authority of the Christian clergy. Prior to this time lay people were not enabled to read the Bible themselves; rather, they had to turn to a Priest as intermediary. Anticlericalism focused on the right of every man to have access to the Scriptures. The translation of the Bible into the common language and it’s publication represent an important event in history. Beyond that, there has been a more or less continual struggle from time to time and from place to place amongst the authority of the Church, the secular authorities, and the rights of individuals.