ded relatively peacefully in the first part of the 16th century, the so-called Wars of Religion dominated the second half. The fights were not just about difference in religious beliefs but various powerful families saw in these events an opportunity to gain influence and advance their own interests. The Wars of Religion created a deep division within French society. They also weakened the kingdom that France's international position was seriously threatened in the later 1500s. These events clearly showed how grave and worst things could get in religious dispute once political matters and personal interests influence it. The disputes become more of a fight for one's own self rather than that for the greater good. In this manner, it becomes more of a selfish act. Just like with what is happening between the church and the state today and with other religious disputes among the different religious groups, we must always keep in mind that we are not fighting for ourselves but for what we believe is good for all. In the event of the St. Bartholomew Massacre, the growing conflict between the Catholics and Protestant even worsened. As Catholics around Europe rejoiced over the death of thousands of Huguenots, Protestants mourned and cried out in anger. The battle that was once a fight for faith instantly transformed to a battle of death in which both Catholics and Protestants around Europe felt deeply involved. Many events followed this massacre but eventually, through the Edict of Nantes, a proclamation that declared that France was Catholic but granted freedom of public worship and recognized their rights; France's religious wars ended. As in England and Germany, it did not bring a permanent peace but only a truce. In these events, we learn a very important lesson and that is to resolve problems in the most diplomatic and peaceful way that we could. Here, we could see that violence would lead us nowhere and will not help us solve whatever di...
