Religious Propaganda

Propaganda Religious Propaganda

Introduction to Religious Propaganda

One of the earliest uses of the word propaganda was in connection with religious missionary activity. A notable propagandist was Saint Paul, who established the first Christian churches in Asia Minor, Greece, and Italy. Christianity was spread beyond the Roman world by such evangelists as Saint Augustine, the first archbishop of Canterbury, who introduced it into Britain, and by Saint Boniface, who converted Germanic tribes. In modern times Roman Catholic missionary activity has been conducted by several well-known religious orders, notably the Society of Jesus (also known as the Jesuits). By skillful propaganda the Jesuits were able in the 17th century to reclaim for the church large areas of central Europe that had been lost to Protestantism during the Reformation. In 1622 Pope Gregory XV established the Congregation of Propaganda to direct these activities of the Roman Catholic church. Protestants have been equally zealous in spreading their doctrines. The Protestant reformers of the 16th century were effective propagandists, and missionaries have carried the Protestant faith to every part of the world. See also Missionary Movements.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Religious Propaganda in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Religious Propaganda