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This set of web pages is a place to put information about religious events and dogma that affected Sinclair history and genealogy. Opinions from many different people are represented here, and I do not confirm, deny, attest, or refute any of them, except where I explicitly say so. —jsq

Article 18.— Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion: this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom either alone or in company with others in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.— Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression: this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
— Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations, 1945

Presbyterians

John Knox

From: "Matheson" <zoo@uswest.net>
Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 11:28:58 -0600

I don't know if this is what you had in mind re: John Knox etc., but this is a message I posted to the list in March.
Karen M

I can offer a brief synopsis from a history I recently read regarding the early beginning of Protestantism. (Dorothy B. Sutherland, Enchantment of the World: Scotland. Chicago: 1985)

Mary, Queen of Scots, was raised and educated in France from the age of 6, in agreement with her betrothal to the Dauphin. Meanwhile, "the leaders of the Catholic church had long been rich and corrupt," which paved the way for religious reform. John Knox was a fiery preacher who first was mentioned in 1544. He became an enemy of Mary. In 1557 a group of Scottish nobles drafted the First Covenant, which renounced the Catholic church.

Mary married the Dauphin in 1558 and he became King in 1559. Back in Scotland, John Knox was triumphant in his attempt to wipe out all traces of Roman Catholic ceremonies—celebration of Christmas and Easter were abolished, and Holy Communion was rarely observed.

Mary was widowed shortly hereafter at age 18 and returned to Scotland—a Catholic, of course! She then created scandal after scandal with husband, lover, mysterious deaths, etc. At age 24, in 1567, Mary was captured by Protestant nobles. She was forced to abdicate the thrown to her one-year-old son, James. She fled to cousin Elizabeth who, of course, imprisoned and eventually beheaded Mary in 1587.

James (who assumed the throne in 1583) was a Protestant, but he did not oppress the Catholics. However, he had difficulties with the ruling officials of the Scottish Church—called the Presbytery—who tried to have a part in the government of Scotland. King James version of bible is named after this James, who authorized its translation. After James died and was succeeded by his son Charles in 1625, Charles tried to impose the Episcopalianism, the English form of Protestantism. Enter Cromwell, the Scots Covenanters, the Cavaliers, and the Roundheads... etc.etc.etc.
Last changed: 99/11/21 14:43:37 [Clan Sinclair]