The development of a Catholic World View

During the fifth century in Europe, society was divided int a number of social classes. If you were born into a certain social class, that is where you stayed until you died. Social status was hereditary. Despite the fact that for many people in the Middle Ages life was hard, they accepted their lot in life. Christian values and beliefs influenced the way people lived and viewed life.

Christian Beliefs

The Christian Church was a source of hope and comfort. It appealed to ordinary people because"

     - it gave promise to a better life after death.

    - the congregations collected money and cared for the poor

    - it provided individuals with a sense of community regardless of your social status.

The Church also possessed sources of power that gave it the ability to attract large numbers of people to Cathoilicism. Both information and organization were sources of power for the Church. Since the majority of the people were not able to read or write, the Church controlled a great deal of the information that they received. It was difficult to challenge the Church if you could not read Latin. The organization of the Church was much like a government where power was channelled though an hierarchical structure (power pyramid). It was highly organized and extremely efficient and, as a result, it was able to reach all parts of western Europe and influence both the common people, the nobility and those with political power. The values of the Christian Church dominated the lives of everyone. These values were accepted in this time and became a Catholic world view for the Middle Ages.