Religion in the Middle Ages

[Polaris]

"I often cite the fact of the spread of Islam for being the driving force behind the resurgence of Christianity in Europe; it was a strong unifier."

I agree with this. I can see it being that many Christians saw Islam as a threat. The Muslim world was actually (relatively) ahead of Europe on scientific thinking and technological advancement too. It wasn't really until Western Europe became stupidly rich and powerful off the back of colonising the Americas, that Christendom overtook the Islamic caliphate as the major power.

I do think there's an element of an elitist class of clergymen who just loved the power religion gave them too. The Middle Ages were supersticious times, but I still think they knew exactly what they were doing and how to control the masses. I'd accept that Christianity had benevolent beginnings in Europe, but it quickly became about power once people realised how useful it was.

It was good until it became the state religion of the Roman Empire.



Weren't the Crusades more retribution for the loss of territory than anything else?