Why were early Anabaptists considered "radicals"?

Early Anabaptists were considered "radicals" primarily because they sought total separation from governmental authority and rejected any form of state control over religious affairs. This belief set them apart from both Protestant reformers and the Catholic Church, as the Anabaptists advocated for a pure and voluntary church membership, which they argued should not be influenced or regulated by the state.

This perspective stemmed from their interpretation of Christian teachings that emphasized personal faith and the importance of individual choice in matters of baptism and church membership. They believed that true Christians should live according to the teachings of Jesus, which included not participating in government affairs or military service, reinforcing their stance on pacifism and strict adherence to their faith. Their radical approach led them to face severe persecution from both Protestant and Catholic authorities, who viewed their ideas as a threat to social order and established religious practices.

The other options do not accurately reflect the Anabaptist worldview: aligning with the Catholic Church contradicts their core beliefs, establishing a monarchy goes against their emphasis on communal decision-making and voluntary association, and encouraging military service directly clashes with their principles of nonviolence and pacifism. Thus, the desire for complete separation from government authority is what made early Anabaptists radical in