Religious tolerance and intolerance

Edict of Torda – 1568

The Edict of Torda, issued in 1568, is a landmark in the history of religious tolerance in Europe. Proclaimed in the town of Torda (now Turda, Romania) during the reign of John II Sigismund Zápolya, the edict allowed local communities to freely elect their preachers and affirmed the coexistence of four major Christian denominations: Catholicism, Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Unitarianism. This remarkable decree, though it did not grant individual religious freedom, was an unprecedented step towards religious pluralism in a time when much of Europe was gripped by sectarian conflict. The Edict was a direct result of the theological debates and intellectual openness fostered by John Sigismund and his court preacher, Ferenc Dávid, a leading figure in the development of Unitarianism.

Hungarian galley slaves – 1673

The story of the Hungarian galley slaves of 1673 is a powerful chapter in the history of religious intolerance in Hungary and the broader context of Central Europe. This tragic episode unfolded during a time when Protestantism was under heavy persecution by the ruling Habsburg dynasty, which sought to reinforce Catholicism as the dominant faith across its territories. The Habsburg response to Protestantism culminated in a series of harsh trials known as the “Hungarian Inquisition,” during which Protestant clergy were accused of inciting rebellion, heresy, and other crimes.

Autonomy of Jews and anti-Judaism in Poland – Krakow

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Warsaw Confederation – 1573 – Warsaw

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Steps towards religious tolerance – Godula, Frýdek-Místek

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Religion and violence – Přibice

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