The History Of Western European Religious Landscape

The issue of religion is presumably the most questionable point of the Renaissance period. With the Catholic Church tangled up in discussion over force, corruption, nepotism and the Pope's fathering of illegitimate kids, numerous followers moved in the opposite direction of the Church and embraced another improved rendition of their beliefs. The increase of education additionally influenced the Catholic Church, as professors adapted more they understood that the Church was lecturing just what they supported to the followers. Possibly the most significant religious occasion during the Renaissance history, was the Protestant Reformation, which was established by Martin Luther in Germany. During the Renaissance the Catholic Church built up a profound

From 1450 to 1750 C.E., the Europeans were beginning to settle in the Western part of Europe in places such as: France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and many more. Like many other of the surrounding countries and empires, the Europeans began to question many of the hierarchies in Europe at the time such as the Catholic Church by asking “Should we trust their process or attempt to reform?” or even “Should we ignore the intentions of the church and start something completely new that we believe is better for the people?” The development of both the Protestant Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment began to answer these questions and enforce their beliefs in European society. Through the inspiration of the “needed” change of tradition in European society the Protestant Reformation sought to bring back the early versions of Christianity, while the Age of Enlightenment sought to abandon Christianity and move forward. But both the Protestant Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment sought to focus on similar moral tenants such as the belief of individualism and the use of reason to analyze text. Overall, both the Protestant Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment in Europe desired to move away from the selfish, incompetent, and lazy Catholic Church of that time, and either move forward or reform to stabilize European thinking for centuries to come.

The Renaissance is known as a turning point in the history and produced essential changes in all areas of European society and knowledge. During this time period there was a newfound interest in philosophy and the importance of understanding the world. Scholars of this time looked at Greek and Roman ideas about the world, as well as expanding on the idea of humanism and the shift away from the church. The increase of humanism put more emphasis on the state and the individual and less emphasis on the clergy. Challenges to Church authority through the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution helped to inspire the Reformation, which we see with Martin Luther’s 95 theses. Renaissance art and architecture additionally brought vibrancy to churches throughout

The styles we call High Renaissance, Baroque style, Scientific Reformation, The Enlightenment Era, and The Romantic Era are all shaped by historical forces, the most significant being the Protestant Reformation’s successful challenge to the spiritual and political power of the Church. Martin Luther, son of a rural coal miner had a mass impact in all these eras but Scientific Reformation was more prominent than the rest. Luther was a German monk and Professor of Theology at the University of Wittenberg. Luther’s studies were put on hold by a political crisis in Augustinians. He found himself agitated due to the corruption and lack of spirituality he saw in Rome. He saw openly corrupt priests who would taunt the rituals of their faith. Luther sparked the Reformation in 1517 by posting his "95 Theses" on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The 95 theses were a list of statements which expressed Luther's concerns about many Church practices. These ‘Theses’ traveled around Europe. He felt in a manner, that the church was not always right. He did not believe that the Pope was spiritual heir to Saint peter. The Church known now as the Roman Catholic Church was very powerful politically and spiritually in Western Europe. I believed that Martin Luther Help spark the Scientific Era was due to the fact when he mad the 95Theses people began to second guess themselves. People began to have changes in thought & belief.

During the Renaissance, ideas and beliefs were dramatically changed. Life went from circling around religion to the philosophical concept of humanism becoming the center of society. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings rather than supernatural and divine matters. The ignorant beliefs of the Middle Ages began fading away and the Church began declining in power because they were losing followers due to humanism becoming more prevalent. People began thinking for themselves and believing in their own ideas rather than blindly listening to the Church because they were told to.

An example of one of these popes was Julius II. He was known as the Warrior-Pope because he sought to eliminate his enemies with his powerful army. These Renaissance Popes angered many Christians who believed that their pope was being unfaithful, and caused some people to lose faith and trust in the Catholic Church. Later popes sold indulgences, which were promises of the remission of one's sins after death. This angered Martin Luther, and it caused him to write his “95 Theses” on why that practice was wrong and unfaithful. Luther found enough people that agreed with him, and started the Reformation.

Throughout the fifteenth century, the Roman Catholic religion was studied by the majority of the European population. A new movement known as the Renaissance slowly began to change the public’s opinions of Roman Catholic theology. The Renaissance sparked a movement that was highly popular in the upper class known as Humanism. Humanism focused on the classical works and becoming a well- rounded citizen. The new undertaking sculpted influential individuals who would change history, known as Christian humanists. The Christian humanists emphasized the structure of the early Christian Church which was much different than the Roman Catholic Church in this point in history. In the sixteenth century, the Christian humanists’ influence finally took a toll on the Roman Catholic Church by sparking the Protestant Reformation. The desire of the Christian humanists was responsible for the Protestant Reformation because it caused them to question the principles of the Catholic church, take stand and start new beliefs, and by exposing the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church

There was one main religion in Western Europe during the Middle Ages. This religion was Roman Catholic Christianity. It was both unifying and separating in some ways. Unlike now, religion served various functions, and was the main cultural aspect in people's lives. The Christian patriarch was more powerful than European kings, and wealthier.

The sixteenth century, known as the Renaissance, was a time of momentous change in Europe. This time period impacted the World in many ways including the arts, music, literature, science, and religion; however religion made the biggest impact to the culture (MacCulloch, 107,2). Religion was integral to every part of the culture; the image of Christ was the focal point its paintings, the Church was part of government, and sponsor of architecture. The Roman Catholic Church was the most extensive and powerful institution in Europe during the Renaissance. The seeds of religious turmoil were the result of corruption in the Roman Catholic

Pope St. Gregory VII had his vision on how the Church was supposed to be structured and what needed to change. He firmly planted his beliefs because he could see that the Church did not live up to its standards. He became a leader when the Church needed him the most. He did not conform to the current state of the Church and encountered incessant obstacles with a relentless determination overcome them. As pope, St. Gregory VII valiantly confronted the challenges, social issues, and corruption of the Church to cleanse its noticeable defects.

As the Renaissance began spreading northward out of Italy it began mixing and combining new ideas, creating a Northern Renaissance. The social changes in Italy were inspired by humanism. Italian artist, writers, and philosophers were motivated to study classical antiquity, and explore the importance of individuality. They had the belief that humanism led to more worthy people. Not having any ancient work to depend on, northern beliefs were more concerned with religious enhancement. Believing Rome had drifted too far from Christian

In the Middle Ages, everyone believed in the same ideas, so the Popes were very influential, while in the Renaissance, some people became Protestant, so the Pope held much less

Many popes of the fifteenth century supported the Renaissance. They funded students of Greek and Latin literature, architect and painter so that they could devote themselves to literature and art. It was during this time that the Vatican was built in Rome. The Vatican is the official home to the popes. The building is known for its beautiful gardens and its library and sistine chapel, and St. Peter’s

After the decline of Rome when the papal seat was moved to Avignon, there was a time of strengthened power beginning in 1420 when Pope Martin V moved the papal seat to Rome again. Once there the following popes pursued to have a large position in the Italian government. As for acomplishments, it depends on how you define accomplishment. Many of them were genocide and not an "accomplishment".

The reformation was a key factor in the transition of medical to modern Europe. During the end of the Middle Ages, the Church became corrupt and started focusing on money instead of power. Therefore, many reformers emerged onto the scene to help stop these corrupt methods. Martin Luther was the first to go against the church, and he was followed by many other reformers soon after. Luther, along with other reformers, marked a change in the way religion was in Europe. They formed their own ways of religion against the church, and formed a modern way of religion in Europe. Before, there was one main religion, and if you were not Catholic you were not accepted. Yet after the Reformation, more religions emerged in Europe. Although they were not all accepted everywhere, the people were able to practice their religion without being persecuted. Through the Reformation and the acceptance of other religions, Europe shifted from medieval to modern.