Religion in The Middle Ages Essay Example

An establishment built on being perfect in the eyes of God is destined to have flaws. During the middle ages (roughly 500-1600), Europe’s main form of religion was Christianity, more specifically Catholicism. At this time, religion was not an individual personal belief that was practiced in private on one's own time, Catholicism was everywhere. Christianity gave a sense of structure to the people, to help guide positivity through their lives and relieve them of their wrongdoing. Everyday life revolved around the Catholic church, whether it was through media like the arts, books, education, or even the government. The Catholic traditions and beliefs were instilled in the European people as law, no free-thinking tolerated. In fact, they were so close-minded of their set religion that anyone who even dared critique the catholic church was shunned from society or given government-regulated consequences as severe as execution. “The teachings of the church were a certainty to the people of the middle ages. There was no room for doubt and questions were not tolerated,” (world history.org). Suspiciously enough, the church seemed more interested in making a profit off their followers rather than a place for goodness. They demanded that everyone follow their religious beliefs exactly, yet did many unholy deeds when no one was looking. The catholic chokehold remained but this didn't stop heretics, who didn’t approve of what Catholics did behind closed doors, branching off to start a reform. Although the Catholic Church was rooted in good intentions and offered a source of purpose for many, it grew more corrupt during the middle ages and used its influence for personal gain. 

A common theme is seen throughout historic controversies time and time again, the desire for money. It’s much deeper than having a bunch of coins, it's the power, freedom, and control that comes along with them. Since the church was backed up by almost everyone, they didn’t have to pay for anything since it was exempted from being taxed and was supported by all the people financially. The most well-known and controversial way the catholic church started exploiting its supporters, specifically those of nobility was through indulgences. Indulgences were “a distinctive feature of the penitential system of both the Western medieval and the Roman Catholic Church that granted full or partial remission of the punishment of sin,”(Britannica). This meant that churchgoers who had committed a bad act or had sinned could buy God's forgiveness back, a routine, steady form of profit for those who ran the church. A double standard considering paying to get your sins repented sounds more sinful on its own. “Why does not the pope, whose wealth today is greater than the wealth of the richest Crassus, build the basilica of St. Peter with his own money rather than with the money of poor believers?” (Luther). This shows that the religious figures at the time were too caught up with increasing their salary and taking advantage of their followers rather than helping pay for things themselves. Indulgences were eventually banned as well. The catholic faith appeared to be losing its purpose towards the later years of the middle ages, only used for money, status, and one’s own self-interest. 

Although the Catholic church still appeared good in some aspects, the ways of human nature got in the way and led those to become power-hungry. “The popes at the time acted too often from political and economic motives, behaving much like typical Renaissance princes,” (Thompson 43) The line between religion and government was far too thin, letting religion take over too much control. Also, these positions of power were solely based on the hierarchy of one's social class, meaning the rich maintained their wealth and the poor stayed poor for generations. Many priests and clergy were “...illiterate parasites who only held their position due to family influence and favor,” (world history.org). Not only did they get to obtain their positions due to social status but many of them had little to no education, being handed these roles without effort while the lower class suffered and watched. Also, many of the clerical workers in Europe vowed to remain celibate as holy tradition but secretly went against this vow, generally charged with a fine, while those who spoke out about their corrupt practices could be burned at the stake. These unholy behaviors too commonly normalized, were starting to not go unnoticed, initiating the start of the reformation. 

The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement started in the 1500s, to branch off into its own form of Christianity, Protestantism. During this time, the only branch of Christianity was Catholicism, meaning a very large change for Christianity for this time period. Although there were minor heretic movements, who risked their lives speaking out against the church prior to this, the main influencer of the Reformation was Martin Luther. He’s best known for The 95 thesis, which went on to criticize the catholic church for its indulgences and taking advantage of its followers. Luther believed, “... a Christian is saved not by moral or ceremonial ‘works,’ but by his faith in the loving and merciful Father who incarnated Himself in Jesus Christ in order to save men,” (Thompson 54-55). Luther spread this idea of good faith through practice and holiness rather than those of the Catholic Church who believed a man could cleanse themselves through payment or good merit. To accept a man’s sins rather than fake perfection in the eyes of God. Martin Luther was beaten down and silenced by the catholic church for the rest of his life, but his writings started a movement that changed Christianity forever. 

Over time the branches of Christianity multiplied following the middle ages but one thing still reigns true. Throughout every century up to the present day, The catholic church still remains the most followed in the world. Catholicism has made an effort to better its practices through its years of criticism and scandals, but unfortunately, it seems as though the plague of personal gain will never die and greed will get the best of people. Although this is a negative take on catholicism, there are plenty of people with good intentions who will hopefully outweigh those with self-interest in mind.