Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/7

just as the members of the legislatures of the United States, while voting for any law, would consider whether the particular procedure is allowed by Constitution.

Religion and Occidental Politics.—The western world became members of the theophratry of Christ, and the principles and traditions of this theophratry became the common law of Europe. The King, like every other man, was required to follow religion, and subjects were expected to obey the king if the latter follows the religion. As all European princes who called themselves Christians were supposed to follow the principles of their religion in their government, Christian religion became the fundamental law of life and State. The execution of this fundamental law was carried through the organization called Church. A King was to follow religion as interpreted by the Church. Thus political law became subordinated to the Church.

The result of this ideal was that all the Christian countries of Western Europe became subject to Rome. Though subjection to Church is logical outcome of the doctrines held, many countries did not like the idea of being subject to Church. It is an unfortunate irony of fate that our feelings do not always coincide with our ideas, and this lack of coincidence makes our lives inconsistent. Very often a doctrine is attacked not on account of the simple hunger for truth or desire for consistency but on account of the fact that the doctrine hurts our sentiments.

A state could assert its independence against the Catholic Church in three ways. They are:

(i) To recognize the supremacy of religion in life, and to accept the interpretation of Church as authority but to denounce the traditional head of the Church.

(ii) To denounce Church as the interpreter of religion,