Religious and Cultural Potential of Protestantism in Catholic Poland

Krzysztof Kowalik

In the history of Poland there are numerous examples of significant influence of the widely understood Protestant tradition on forming specific conditions for coexistence of the Christian denominations, as well as political, social and cultural view of the country although, not before the end of the previous century (here: 19th century) people started to bring back the cultural contributions of the Polish Reformation. However, the dominant position of the Catholic Church in our country, very often causes difficulties in an appropriate and objective revealing of this multidimensional influence. Due to the fact that the there are significantly more Catholics in Poland than Protestants, as well as there are numerous unresolved disputes between them from the past, it is very difficult for the two denominations to communicate. The religious, social and cultural potential that can be found in the doctrine, as well as praxis of the Churches with Protestant tradition, demands both to be discovered in a broader aspect, and, despite of difficulties and contradictions, deserves to be used in a more practical way, so that our society could function in a better and harmonious way. The cultural influence of the Protestantism was paradoxical because it conduced to the secularisation of Christianity, especially to its declericalization, and by giving value to the earthly power the Reformation spiritualized the worldliness. Therefore, there is an effort to preserve the religious obligation of the political power, however, simultaneously emphasising that religion is independent of any political power.