What was the role of the christian church in western Europe during the middle ages?

Answer 1

The church controlled everything in daily lives, let alone beliefs. They controlled beliefs mainly on the principle of Hell. If someone was threatened to go to Hell, or if they were given the opportunity to go to Heaven. They would take it without question. The crusades is a perfect example of this

Answer 2

The most important political force in Medieval Europe was the Catholic Church. European monarchies had much less say in ecclesiastical affairs than the church ever had in the actual running of their countries. Ecclesiastical affairs were inseparable from the daily lives of most Europeans of that time. The church has a say in everybody's business. From politics to street values, from marriage to urban design, from science and scientific research to charity and genealogy, from trade to land-owning and labor customs, and from art and philosophy to school study and the choice of language.

The medieval church controlled the main access to knowledge; including religious knowledge. Scripture was written in Latin, practiced in Latin, and studied in Latin. The language of the Catholic Church's main book of prayers was Latin. Latin was not only considered the language of religion, but also the language of literature and rhetoric. Teaching Latin was exclusive to the chosen few who either follow the church's doctrine to the letter or are already parts of nobility whose whole existence depends on the church's very own. Control over the language of scripture, meant control over the knowledge of scripture. The church was, thus, able to offer the correct interpretation of God's will, claiming exclusive knowledge not only of the path to repentance and salvation, and therefore to heaven, but also to the correct meanings and ways of dealing with naturally secular matters such as science and the economy. The church was thus free to validate only the kind of knowledge, logic and scientific inquiry that fits its interpretation of the scripture, rather than the state of affairs. The kind of knowledge sought in medieval times was not of how things actually were or are, but rather how things must be according to scripture. The church's control over scientific matters disqualifying hypothesis and / or results that does not suit the absolute truth of the doctrine from its own point of view. Heresy was the charge waiting to be waged against any who dared, for the truth of things, challenge this control.

Besides all the power the church had mustered culturally and morally, it also owned one third to one fifth of all Europe's land. Economy at these times was primarily an assortment of agricultural societies. The church was undoubtedly the largest economic power of the times. It had the largest capital. As such, it was the largest employer, the biggest source of materials for armies and guards, and the biggest goods-exchange center, the biggest transporter of goods, reservoir of crops and other rations ands the strongest base for business.

All of this made the church both a political power to be reckoned with, and a large source of wealth and status to be envied and sought. The Church's political power ran in the pre 15th century Europe were its economic richness and its control over access of knowledge. To own one's bread, is simply to own one's liberty, and to know how is simply to control one's destiny.

Answer 3

The Christian church was the only unifying force for all of Europe since Europe at the time was regional kingdoms. The Papacy was strong leadrship and took for Roman Emperors. the christian church also created cathedral schools (universities) and had libral arts education. It also created social inequality (those who pray, those who fight, and those who work) Also the christian church looked to spread Christianity by launching the crusades.

+++

Social inequality was not based on those who pray or not: everyone was expected to pray, and by and large, everyone did whatever their social standing. However the RC Church in its supremacy was not too keen on anyone who rejected its dogma!

Answer 4

The Church was a source of stability and justice in an era of injustice.

Some of the injustice was actually due to the Church, but those instances were relatively rare.

At that point in time the Church financed scientific research, astronomy, and art as well.

Answer 5

the ate chicken and fish