Author: Sayed Musleh-al-Din
Analysis of the Destructive Aspects of Christianity (Part 4)
The Influence of Monasticism on European Ethics
The advent of monasticism profoundly affected the virtues associated with chivalry and righteousness, leading to a decline in these values and the rise of vices and moral decay. People began to abandon qualities such as cheerfulness, generosity, candor, forgiveness, bravery, and courage. One of the most significant consequences was the destabilization of family structures, resulting in a widespread attitude of ingratitude and apathy toward relatives.
Monks, once characterized by hearts full of mercy and compassion and eyes brimming with tears for their fathers, mothers, and children, became hardened and emotionally distant. This transformation led to many mothers becoming bereaved, husbands being widowed, and children growing orphaned. To survive, these individuals often turned to their communities or sought solace in the deserts, focusing solely on securing their salvation in the afterlife. Life and death no longer held any significance for them.
Moreover, monks distanced themselves from women, viewing any form of closeness or companionship with them as sinful. They believed that interacting with women—even if they were a mother, wife, or sister—could jeopardize one’s moral actions and undermine spiritual efforts.
Lekki describes the situation of the Christian world at that time, caught between monasticism and rebellion, as follows: “Enjoyment and depravity in the morals of people and society had reached their peak. Lust, revelry, indulgence, and flattery characterized the gatherings of kings and the wealthy. The extravagance of commanders and competition in fashion and adornment reached extreme levels, creating a society divided between rampant monasticism and severe corruption. Cities that had once been vibrant were now deeply immersed in sin and debauchery.”
In this age, corruption and superstition—two enemies of human honor and dignity—had converged to such an extent that people no longer felt shame for their immoral actions and scandals. It seemed that the human heart, once fearful of divine promises, now existed in a state of false security, believing that one’s prayers could atone for all unworthy deeds. The marketplace of trickery and deceit thrived, with this era even surpassing that of Caesar in terms of corruption. Although cruelty, rebellion, and brutality had somewhat diminished, the freedom of thought and the spirit of patriotism suffered decline.
Corruption in Religious Centers
Monasticism and a negative religious system merely served as a detriment to human nature. As a result, the new religion and its spiritual authority subdued nature for a time. However, human nature ultimately triumphed over monasticism, leading to a significant decline in morals within religious institutions. This moral degradation allowed these centers to rival global hubs of corruption. Consequently, the government transformed religious gatherings—originally intended for unity and honoring martyrs and saints—into venues for indulgence and depravity. Religious leaders faced accusations of committing grave sins and abominations.
The monk Jarum remarks: “The lives of the clergy and their revelries surpassed even the pleasures of the nobles and the wealthy. The morals of the popes had fallen into significant decadence, with greed and worldliness clouding their judgment. The popes became transgressors, to the point where clerical officials sold their duties as though they were mere commodities, sometimes even publicly auctioning them off. They allowed the violation of the law, issued certificates of salvation and permits for sinful actions, and engaged in bribery and usury, squandering property extravagantly. An example is Pope Inosan VIII (8), who pawned his crown, while it is said that Pope Leo X consumed the wealth left by his predecessor, his own income, and the assets of his future successor. Reports even claim that the desires of the popes could not be satisfied by all of France.”
The Rivalry Between Papacy and Empire
The conflict between papacy and imperial authority intensified from the 11th century and was marked by fierce struggles. Initially, papacy triumphed; Emperor Henry IV had to approach the papal court in Canossa in 1077 in a state of humiliation. The pope only permitted the emperor’s entry after much insistence from courtiers. Humiliated, barefoot, and clad in humble garments, the emperor repented, and the pope absolved his sins. The struggle between the papacy and the empire persisted until the papacy ultimately weakened. During this prolonged conflict, the populace was divided into two factions—religious and secular supporters—suffering under the dual pressures of empire and papacy.
In the Middle Ages, the pope wielded unprecedented power and influence, surpassing that of kings and emperors. Utilizing their religious authority, they could have catalyzed remarkable scientific and civilizational advancements in Europe, as their successors and representatives traveled across the continent, earning immense respect. They communicated with people using a common tongue and involved themselves in significant political matters. In every village, town, and city, they garnered support among thinkers and politicians, assisting them in governance and administrative affairs.
The Downfall of Christianity
The misfortunes faced by Christianity and its followers throughout history largely stemmed from religious leaders abusing their power and influence. These abuses plunged Europe into ignorance, superstition, and decline for centuries, severely damaging the civilization of that time. Over a thousand years, the population of the European continent stagnated, and England’s population failed to grow for five hundred years, primarily due to asceticism and disdain for worldly affairs. Undoubtedly, one contributing factor was the promotion of celibacy and disinterest in marriage advocated by clergy and monks, which further exacerbated demographic decline. Additionally, clergy often neglected medical assistance, leading to widespread disease throughout Europe. Ebenezis Selois, later known as Pope II, traveled to the British Isles around 1430 AD and his observations revealed the dire state of civilizational stagnation and extreme poverty in the region.
Clerical Misinterpretation of Religious Texts
The blending of scriptures with human knowledge and modern sciences—such as history, geography, and natural sciences—resulted in significant challenges. These fields, while considered the latest scientific advancements of that time, were not necessarily the best and could be subject to dispute as science progressed. Human knowledge is inherently evolving, and any religion established on mutable human understanding is founded on unstable grounds. Although these efforts may have originated with good intentions, they ultimately became detrimental to faith and its believers, triggering a conflict between religion and science that undermined the credibility of faith. A religion intertwined with human knowledge inevitably contained elements of truth and error, pure and impure.
As a result, the Christian clergy experienced such a decline that they could not restore their position, steering Europe away from its religious past. The betrayal of the clergy extended beyond the scriptures to include oral traditions and popular interpretations of the Torah and Bible. Various commentaries on these texts, which included geographical, historical, and biological information, were granted sacred status and intertwined with religious teachings. These non-divinely sanctioned interpretations were revered and any content contradicting them was rejected. The clergy authored books that were not divinely approved, labeling them as Christian topography, and they strictly adhered to these texts, excommunicating any who challenged their authority.
Continues…