Theism in a Postmodern World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Theism in a Postmodern World - Essay ExampleOne, religion in old-fashioned times was in very close relation with the secular government. For example, the pharaohs in Egypt as well as the Emperors in Rome, represented deities that had to be worshiped. They also represented high priests and performed or played a wear out many religious customs. The Christians refusal to except the divine character of the roman emperor seemed as a right away opposition to the emperors political causality, and this reason prompted the Caesars to persecute the Christian faith. The second reason is the teaching of equality and the nature of the afterlife presented through evangelism. The belief that the one omnipotent God will comfort the weak and the execrable and will punish the rich and merciless aristocracy represented a social idea that speedily spread through the majority of the disenfranchised population. This was seen as a possible threat to the political power of the roman emperor and aristo cracy.By the beginning of the forth century, Christianity became a widespread religion in the romish world. This forced the roman emperor Constantine to proclaim that Christianity is a free and equal religion. Constantine himself also was baptised and became a Christian. As the empire was divided, so was the knead of the church building. In the West, as the political power of the Emperor diminished, the church and the Bishop of Rome, gained larger political and cultural roles in the West Roman Empire. In the East, there was an enormous influence of the church in political matter, but nevertheless, the main secular power remained in the hands of Constantinoples rulers. During the put Ages, the influence of the Church in state matters and in culture during the period is self-evident. Despite the Great rent in 1054, when the church was divided in Western Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, both churches well-kept enormous political influence. The Pope anointed Christian secular rul ers in Europe, and the anointment itself presented the rulers of Europe as rulers chosen by God himself. It also had an influence over the European continent as a whole, universe the main progenitor of the Crusades, as a result of the Turkish conquests in the Middle East. As tell previously, the church and generally Christianity had a major influence on the way of life and culture in the middle ages. Paintings and other art works were exclusively of religious nature. Most literature works were committed with doctrinal law, including the writings of St. Augustine and St. Thomas of Acquitane. Another important fact that has to be mentioned is the fact that secular laws were in close connection with canonical laws. This provided the church with means to influence the lives of everyday citizens of the European kingdoms. Practicing prostitution, homosexuality or even expressing certain scientific ideas that were opposed to the churchs beliefs were punished. Most notably, the existence of the Inquisition and the witch-hunts that were performed by this church formation expressed the influence the church had over the live of ordinary people. During