Role of Religion in Victorian Life

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Role of Religion in Victorian Life Religion throughout history has been a dominating social factor, and in Britain during the nineteenth century, this same religious domination can be seen. The Victorian era was marked by the Church of England which developed such an influence in politics as well as religion that it became difficult to separate the two (Yi 1). The tyrannical power of the church fostered many problems (lack of space, not relating to its people, hypocrisy, etc.) and created an air where a variety of dissenting groups could form and develop (1). The atmosphere of the high church compared to that of the dissenting groups explains why the shift of religion occurred with such a large response. Wealthy (High Church) vs. Middle Class (Dissenters) In the high church, funding came from the wealthy which in turn gave them a piece of the church as property--pews. These pews were branded with a family name and would pass from generation to generation. If the family moved, the pew would remain vacant not open for others to sit in! This left the lower classes to standing r...

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