Christianity, Islam, and Judaism during the Middle Ages - Essay Example

Christianity, Islam, and Judaism during Middle Ages Christianity, Islam, and Judaism during Middle Ages Religious practices and beliefs are traced back to the past decades. Currently, most religions around the world trace their history and traditions back to the middle ages. During this period, religious leaders engaged in ungodly acts in their attempt to push for their beliefs and traditions to be accepted. Consequently, these actions led to the displacement of people and massive loss of innocent lives. All these actions happened due to empowered religious leaders at that time. A detailed look at the religious practices of Christians, Muslims, and Jews clearly reveals the inhuman acts that took place in the middle ages. These religions engaged in wars and battles in an attempt to neutralize each other and remained dominant. In addition, the powers and authority of various leaders are also revealed. The church became dominant and influential across the world during the middle age period. Although many churches were available during that time, Catholicism was the most recognized denomination (Johnson, 2012). The church dominated and influenced many people across the globe. The church accommodated both the noble and peasants in the society. As a result of their efforts, various wealthy people and the states donated and allocated the church enough money to conduct its activities in the community. The church became a vibrant institution that funded its operations and catered for the vulnerable and the disabled in the society during those times. Furthermore, the church became independent and influential in the society as a whole. It owned vast tracts of land, constituted, and operated on its laws. Members of the congregation were expected to conduct and behave in line with the rules and expectations of the church. Due to various activities and practices it did, the church required more money and resources to operate smoothly and fulfill its targets. As a result, the church collected taxes among its followers and other well-wishers (Johnson, 2012). In addition, they accepted offerings and gifts from both the wealthy members of the congregations and the society. The formulation of laws and collection of taxes gave leaders of the church massive authority and power in the community. They commanded respect from both the locals and the political leaders such as kings and presidents of various countries and states. Moreover, they were given power to deal with deviant members of the congregation and excommunicate those who disobeyed and violated the set rules and regulations of the church. Any congregational member who was expelled from the church was automatically barred from attending church services and celebrations. Besides, the empowered church officials had control over other various servants of God such as the monks and the nuns. They were subjected to strict and harsh rules set by the church leadership. According to Johnson (2012), the church expected them to devote and sacrifice their lives to serving Christ alone. Consequently, they were denied rights to own property and get involved in various community activities that were deemed ungodly and sinful. On the contrary, they were to perform various services in the church such as cleaning and maintaining the compound. Moreover, the church was biased in admitting monks and nuns. It ensured monks and nuns selected to serve the church were intelligent and well educated. Their knowledge of the scriptures and word of God was an added advantage. This criterion was used since monks and nun were expected to write scriptures on history and science of that era. Moreover, in an attempt to remain the most powerful and sole religion in the world, the church engaged in ungodly and shameful behaviors that were unexpected of Christians. The church invested much time and resources in campaigning against other religions that were in existence during that time. The attacks involved the use of hateful convincing messages against other religions and their practices. These attacks were led by senior members of the church. Bishops and scholars led the Christian family in fighting against the Muslims, Jews, and pagans the existed during that time. For instance, the church manipulated some Bible verses to corrupt the members and deem other religions sinful. The used the quotes which blamed Jew for the death of Jesus to pit Christians against the Jews. During the middle age, Jews were subjected to harsh treatment and persecutions by the both the Muslim and Christian families. The Christians displaced the Jews from their land of Israel. It happened after Christians conquered and defeated the Roman Empire. Consequently, Judaism was forbidden in Christians lands by the leaders and some members of the church. Although Christians allowed some Jews to reside in Medieval Europe, they were subjected to difficult living conditions (Frasseto, 2007). The Christians authorities denied them land for settlement, and they were viewed as aliens who were sinful. In addition, Christian traders refused to trade and sell their goods to the Jews because of their denomination. Furthermore, Judaism was a minor and less recognized religion during the middle age period. They were subjected to violence by Muslims. The Jews abandoned and feared living in areas such as Utopia due to the constant harassment and harsh treatment they faced from the Muslim community. Nonetheless, the Jews preferred Islamic rule to Christianity. It was as a result of the non-inclusive rule and discrimination that Christianity practiced. According to Gil (2004), some of them converted to Islam and embraced the Arabic culture. They adopted the use of the Arabic language and religious texts in their daily activities. They translated their holy book and scriptures to Arabic language and finally accepted their way of life. Ultimately, some Jews wholeheartedly embraced Islamic rule due to the societal benefits they were reaping from the Arabs. This act was aimed at facilitating their stay among the Muslims during this era. During the middle age, Islam was powerful and influential and was viewed as a religion in its golden period (Lassner and Bonner, 2009). The religion had powerful and creative members of the society who were knowledgeable and enlightened on various matters affecting the world. Equally important, they had great philosophers whose thinking and works shaped opinions and thoughts of many across the world. As a result, the Muslim family was taking over, and their following around the world was gradually increasing. The spread of Islam became rampant and many Christian leaders were worried and viewed it as a threat to the church. The Muslims numbers were growing, and they were gaining enough people to help expand their territory and spread the Muslim gospel all over. Consequently, the church declared war on Muslims and any of their associates in the world. They managed to do this by brainwashing members of the congregation that fighting Muslims would be an assurance of the forgiveness of sins by God. Consequently, Christians sacrificed their lives and efforts in fighting the Muslims, which resulted in massive loss of lives and property. Religion in the middle ages was characterized by instances of violence and power struggle. The religious acts and practices were directed by hatred and jealousy towards other religions. Christians were power hungry and determined to do anything to remain the most dominant and powerful religion in the world. Their influential leaders only worsened the situation by brainwashing the church members and supporting acts of religious persecutions across the world. Jews suffered the most as they were subjected to harsh conditions, abuses and harassment from both the Muslims and Christians. Moreover, Muslims were also influential, and their spread and expansion of their religion caused panic and fear among Christians. Consequently, they made irrational decisions that led to massive loss of lives. All this acts were conducted due to selfish interest and self-centeredness of religious leaders. Such actions are currently condemned since the religious` primary purpose is to unite and create a peaceful environment. References Frassetto, M. (2007). Christian Attitudes Toward the Jews in the Middle Ages. Taylor & Francis. Gîl, M. (2004). Jews in Islamic Countries in the Middle Ages. BRILL. Johnson, P. (2012). History of Christianity. Simon and Schuster. Lassner, J., & Bonner, M. (2009). Islam in the Middle Ages: The Origins and Shaping of Classical Islamic Civilization. ABC-CLIO. Read More