After reading the assigned materials, evaluate the Calas case in historical context. How does this case reveal the conflicts of religion, and, more importantly, how does this reflect the ″Age of Uncertainty″ whereby religion, and thereby the state as it is connected to religion, being questioned? How would this fit into the power struggle of politics, heads of state, heads of the Church, and any other relevant figures trying to gain power by taking advantage of current circumstances? Does this still happen today? We are introducing Voltaire here, and he is an important figure in the Enlightenment…..How does Voltaire’s ″Treatise″ reflect the outrage of the Calas case and why do you think reforms are necessary …. In the criminal justice system, in religious institutions, in political and governing entities? And, why are we still talking about this case today? What is Armstrong′s argument in his article and how does he use Calas as evidence for his own arguments. Response Readings: Ways of the World “Absolutism” pages 584-586 (Chapter 13) Ways of the World “Challenges to the Catholic Church” pages 639-651 Ways of the World “Enlightenment” pages 658-668 Paris Review “Broken on the Wheel” Armstrong https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/13/broken-on-the-wheel/ “Treatise on Toleration” – Voltaire that is the directions for the paper
