Religion in the Post Classical Era (500-1000 CE)

The decline of the Western Roman Empire marked the end of the classical era and the beginning of the post classical one. The downfall of the Western Roman Empire contributed to the emergence of multiple local states that emerged on the remnants of empire. At the same time, the decline of the major power in the west opened larger opportunities for the rise of new powers. In such a situation, the world faced consistent changes and transformations caused by and associated with the progress of post classical era. The distinct feature of the post classical era was the enhancement of the role of religion which played an important part in the life of people in that time. In fact, post classical era contributed to the enhancement and emergence of the major world religions, including Christianity, Islam and Buddhism which have started to play the determinant part in the life of people defining their social norms, beliefs and values.

The post classical era was characterized by the fast spread of Christianity throughout Europe. In fact, the emergence of Christianity and its fast spread throughout Europe was the result of the growing impact of religion on the life of people. The downfall of the Western Roman Empire opened the way to the invasion of large territories from Britain to Spain by barbarian tribes. At the same time, ironically, invaders confronted the problem of the overwhelming impact of Christianity as the new religion and ideology that facilitated their rule and control over invaded territories. Invaders proved to be unable to resist to the overwhelming impact of Christianity, which became the main religion that maintained their power promoting the idea of obedience to the authorities.

In such a way, Christianity became the main religion in Europe, while the worldview of Europeans became Christian, although there remained a blend of local beliefs and Christian teaching. What is meant here is the fact that people adapted Christianity to their cultural norms and believes. When they get acquainted with Christianity, it existed as one of the religions but it played the dominant part in the invaded territories of the former Western Roman Empire. Invaders brought their own cultural norms and traditions which were later integrated closely into Christianity. This is why many Christian saints originate from pagan deities, while Christian norms became closely integrated into the traditional system of beliefs of people. As a result, people combined their traditional beliefs and norms with Christian ones.

Furthermore, Christianity has started to play the main part in the religious and cultural life of people living in Europe. Their cultural norms and values were shaped in accordance to Christian norms and traditions. The emergence of Christianity as the new powerful religion became the mainstream trend in Europe. In such a way, Christianity emerged as the world religion uniting people from different countries.

At the same time, the post classical era gave rise to Islam that emerged in the Middle East and spread throughout North Africa, Asia Minor, Middle East and reached Southern Europe, including the territory of the contemporary Spain and Portugal. In fact, the rise of Islam occurred in the 7th century and by the 9th century Islam became the world religion spread throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Southern Europe, and reaching India and Southeast Asia. The popularity of Islam was determined by the growing power of the caliphate. Islam was the religious and ideological ground for the invasion of huge territories and maintenance of the caliphate rule. In such a situation, people turned into believers under the growing impact of the new religion which became mainstream and affected many people. Islam laid the foundation to key social norms, rules and values. At the same time, religion played an important part in the life of Muslims and they viewed Islam as the basis of their unity, in spite of social, ethnic and other differences.

In fact, Islam became the major religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and across Asia to Southeast Asia and India. In such a way, Islam became the dominant power that enhanced the civil power of the authorities and was used to maintain their power. In such a way, the authorities were interested in the promotion and enhancement of Islam, while the caliphate became the state grounded on the religion which was inseparable from the civil authorities. In other words, Islam was the official religion, while rulers of the caliphate were not only political but also religious leaders. In this regard, Islam was similar to Christianity, which was also used as the official religion and the authorities relied heavily on the support of clergymen. In such a way, the development of both religions was closely intertwined with the integration of religion in all spheres of social life.

At the same time, the post classical era became the time, when two world religions, Christianity and Islam came into clashes and became the two leading religions that confronted at the ideological, political, cultural and military level. To put it more precisely, the growing popularity of Islam and Christianity resulted in their fast spread. However, as Christian and Muslim states eventually became neighbors, the tension between them grew stronger not only because of the difference of their political and economic interests but also because of the difference in their religious views. Christians and Muslims believed that only their faith and religion were true. They denied other religions but their own. As a result, the confrontation between them became inevitable, especially in the light of the growing power of Muslim and Christian states.

Asia also experienced the growth of China in power to the extent that China became the major power in the Far East and challenged the position of the caliphate in central Asia. The enhancement of the position of China contributed to the fast spread of Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism in neighboring states, including Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Therefore, Buddhism emerged as another world religion becoming extremely influential in the Far East. Buddhism was also used as the tool of spreading dominant ideology. On the one hand, Buddhism helped the Chinese authorities to keep the population under control. On the other hand, Buddhism became the unifying factor that allowed the authorities to keep all people together being united by the common religion under the control of the Chinese Emperor.

Thus, religion played an important and determinant part in post classical era. The post classical era became the time of the major world religions growing in power. At any rate, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism became the major world religions in that time.

 

Works Cited:

Religion in the Post Classical Era 500-1000 CE

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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