Dq 9

Aw, Michelle 1st Period APWH, Daniel How and why does the role of religion in the history of the medieval Christian west differ from (or resemble) the role of religion in the history of India? While religion served as the foundation for India’s government, religion in medieval Christian west was the government’s contender. India: a civilization whose main religion was Hinduism, a polytheistic faith. It also had minority religions like Buddhism and Jainism.

Government and Religion

Caste System and Classes

The kings used religion to control the subjects, like the Gupta Empire using ceremonial rituals to attract followers. Discipline did not have to be driven into lower classes because of the idea of nirvana.

The Hindu Caste system had priests at the top, (Brahmin) above the rulers, because they had the knowledge of how to perform religious rituals that the other classes did not possess.

Beliefs

Violence

The people of different castes had their actions influenced by the idea of Karma and Reincarnation. They also had their positions in society justified by the Vedic belief, “You are where you deserve to be…”

King Ashoka expanded his empire through a series of bloody campaigns. However, after realizing the brutality of his behavior he converted to Buddhism a nonviolent religion. Jainism is also a nonviolent religion.

Medieval Christian West: after a schism in the church, Western Europe’s official religion was Catholic Christianity, a monotheistic faith.

Government and Religion

Caste System and Classes

The kings and the religious leaders were at odds. There were struggles for political power and land although the ostensible motive was religion. Examples include the Crusades and the Inquisition.

The religious leaders had their own caste system. Canon law granted the Pope, top of the caste, jurisdiction of clergy and church property. Yet bishops were loyal to the king, thus arguments occurred over who could justly govern the bishops.

Beliefs

Violence

The Christians, biased by their monotheistic belief, were closeminded. They ostracized and persecuted pagans and “heretics” who did not believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior, even if they were monotheistic.

Many people of the Christian faith partook in mass wars known as the Crusades. They fought in the name of God as ordered to by the Pope.