During the Middle Ages, the church's main responsibility was the spiritual well-being of Christians and ensuring that people can reach heaven. This responsibility allowed them to acquire a great amount of power and wealth. All Christians at this time believed in heaven and hell, so the church would direct them as to how to get to heaven. Having this authority allowed the church to charge fees to peasants and kings alike that would guarantee safe...
During the Middle Ages, the church's main responsibility was the spiritual well-being of Christians and ensuring that people can reach heaven. This responsibility allowed them to acquire a great amount of power and wealth. All Christians at this time believed in heaven and hell, so the church would direct them as to how to get to heaven. Having this authority allowed the church to charge fees to peasants and kings alike that would guarantee safe passage to heaven. The church charged the believers to perform sacraments. Every Christian was required to pay a tithe, or ten percent of their salary, to the church. Because of the wealth generated by their operations, the church became the largest landowner in Europe and was not required to pay taxes.
The church used their wealth and power to become a dominant political force in Western Europe as well. Kings were expected to follow the pope's lead. If they failed to listen to the pope, they could be kicked out of the church. This meant that the king could not get to heaven. The church, through its monasteries, also provided housing, schooling, and medical care to the growing peasant population.
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