What were William Shakespeare's religious views?

Answer 1

There is no indication that Shakespeare was anything more than conventionally religious. He did get his children baptised, get married and attend Sunday services as was required by law and was duly buried in the church at Stratford. If he had Catholic sympathies (as some of the members of his family apparently did) he was careful to keep them well hidden.

Answer 2

He was a member of the Church of England (an Anglican), like the majority of people in England at that time. We know from his writings that he had a fairly good knowledge of The Bible and of Christian doctrine.

But we have no way of knowing what his personal beliefs were. There is no evidence that he was pro-actively Christian, e.g. he was quite neglectful of his family. He probably just went along with the cultural norm.

Answer 3

Probably not. But even if he was, he would never admit it as it was a crime in England at the time. His fellow playwright, Christopher Marlowe, was accused of being an atheist but Shakespeare never was.

Answer 4

Here you go: http://www.english.sbc.edu/Journal/05-06/Hall.htm

Answer 5

It is likely that Shakespeare was Christian, circumstantial evidence suggests that Shakespeare's family had Catholic sympathies and that he himself was Catholic.

Answer 6

He belonged to the Church of England, which is certainly a Christian church.

Answer 7

In the England of Shakespeare's day, it was illegal not to be a Christian and in fact it was illegal not to belong to the Church of England.

Answer 8

Protestant Christian.