How did the reformation inspire absolutism?

The Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the rise of Protestantism, which diminished the church's influence over political matters. As monarchs sought to consolidate power and assert their independence from papal authority, they embraced the idea of absolutism, where the ruler held supreme authority. This shift allowed kings and queens to justify their control over both religious and secular life, often positioning themselves as divinely ordained leaders. Thus, the Reformation indirectly facilitated the rise of absolutist states by prompting rulers to strengthen their centralized power in the wake of religious fragmentation.