“Religion was a support rather than a challenge to state authority.” Discuss with reference to two states.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the ways in which religion supported and/or presented a challenge to two states. The two states may or may not be from the same region and the examples used in one state may or may not have been contemporaneous with those used in the other. A comparative approach may or may not be used. Candidates may refer to the provision of religious support for the legitimacy of a state, the fusion of religion and the state through law and institutions or support for expansion and conquest in the name of religion. Religion may be argued to have challenged one or both states in several ways, for example, by denying the legitimacy of a ruler or rousing popular opinion against the state through religious leaders and institutions. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.