General Francois de la Noue's statement "it was our wars of religion that made us forget our religion" likely refers to the detrimental impact that the violent conflicts between different religious factions had on the practice and essence of religion itself. Essentially, he is suggesting that the intense strife and bloodshed that occurred during the wars of religion caused people to lose sight of the principles and teachings of their faith.
The wars of religion in Europe, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, were marked by brutal violence, intolerance, and persecution between Catholics and Protestants. These conflicts often led to atrocities committed in the name of religion, causing people to become disillusioned with their faith.
Instead of promoting peace, love, and compassion, religion became associated with power, greed, and violence. People were more focused on winning the wars and vanquishing their enemies than on following the teachings of their faith.
As a result, General de la Noue believed that the wars of religion had a corrupting influence on society, leading people to forget the core principles of their faith and leading to a decline in moral values and religious fervor. In essence, the violent conflicts damaged the very essence of religion itself, turning it into a tool for political manipulation and aggression rather than a source of spiritual guidance and ethical behavior.