Discussion Board 3
Both Thomas More and William Tyndale are considered to be prominent activists of the Reformation movement in England. Though the figure of More is rather controverting, his contribution to the development of the humanistic thought should not be underestimated. His ideals are described in the Utopy. The author pays attention to the economic life of the state but the religion also remains a significant part of the human’s life on the island. According to More, God “therefore, appointed rewards for good and virtuous actions, and punishments for vice, to be distributed after this life” (Utopy). In this passage he states that even in the ideal society humanity keeps believing in the importance of good deeds for the afterlife. However, he also points out on the humanistic ideals of “living according to Nature” and reason, which “directs us to keep our minds as free from passion” (More). In A Dialogue Concerning Heresies more considers the importance of worshipping and how it should be done properly. On the one hand, the author states that “no necessity for Christian folk to resort to any churches, but that all were one to pray thence or there” (A Dialogue Concerning Heresies). This means that the prayers can be done anywhere and anytime. He also thinks that it is a stupidity to worship “instead of God and his holy saints themselves cast our affections to the images themselves” (A Dialogue Concerning Heresies). On the other hand, More considers that it is a right thing to”assemble solemnly, and resort in company, to worship him together—such as dwell so near together that they may conveniently resort to one place”. Therefore, he supports the institution of church and its ceremonies. William Tyndale disapproves the ideas of More in An Answer to Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue. He protects the idea that God can be worshipped everywhere. Moreover, he criticizes the ceremonies of the church as apostles “hid nothing in “strange holy gestures”, and ape’s play, the significations whereof no man might understand” (Tyndale). Both More and Tyndale consider the way a person worships of such importance because it formed the behavior of the individual and his or her attitude towards the society and power, when Kings and Queens were considered to be realization of the God will.
Classmate 1
The positions of the More and Tyndale do not contradict to each other completely. Both authors acknowledged the importance of individual in the process of worshipping. Moreover, More does not limit the prayers to be said in the church only. For him, it is rather the place where an individual can feel the union with others when conducting them. Therefore, it is true that church as a building is of more importance for More than for Tyndale, who considers the Bible as a sources of God. Indeed, the way person worships can influence his or her identity as it leads to changes in the perception of religion as well as authority. Though More and Tyndale did not agree on how Catholicism should be developed, they both admitted the need for change of the religion.
Classmate 2
The way of worshipping did not only change the identity of a person but could cost one’s life as the Protestants were prosecuted and even executed because they worship differently. More and Tyndale point out on different attributes of the religions but both of these views were not strictly Catholic and included the Reformation innovations. Therefore, both authors were not accepted by the Catholic church. Despite the differences in their views, both More and Tyndale understood the importance of religion as a means of supporting the authority.
