What Role Did Catholic Church Play In The Development Of Western Culture

Throughout history, cultures from all over the world have developed distinct views of human nature—theories on the creation, our purpose in life, and life after death. In order to better understand such views of humanity, we must first define western culture: a broad term that often refers to habitual social norms, ethical values, traditional culture, belief systems, and political systems associated with the western world (or countries whose histories are interconnected with that of Europe on grounds of immigration and colonization, like the United States). For centuries, the Western world has been nearly synonymous with Christian culture. Despite the growing privatization of religion, a result of former religious tension and war, a large portion

The teachings of Jesus, such as the Good Samaritan parable and sermon on the Mount, served as influential sources for human rights and welfare measures taken by modern western governments. Furthermore, humanism—a rationalist philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion—acts as a cornerstone for western thought in various aspects of life, particularly religion. Aspects of human nature are a reflection of the culture in which one was raised. Humanism deals with the appreciation that we are human and that God created man in His image; so, humanism is thoroughly positive. In fact, other religions arguably lack humanistic effort. Christians occasionally misinterpret the Biblical definition that suggests we should love all people. It celebrates the fact that we are human and gives our life value. However, secular humanism—when one fails to acknowledge God’s credit and define reality from a personal perspective, as opposed to how God views it—yields negative effects; thus, leading to the ultimate autonomous

No one made Him, He was always there. Before Him, there was nothing. We have evidence of the real world and rationality; thus, we have an explanation on who we are. The Bible says we are loved and cared for, with our own ability and freedom to choose our own path, despite God knowing the end from the beginning. The purpose of a human is to be human—as a human, one must question, create, argue, and feel. In Christianity, everything you do adds to the world. So, one deserves praise for the positive actions and reprimand for the negative, because the world is imperfect and unfinished. Since Christians live in a distinct and imperfect world—there are distinctions between men and women, clean and unclean animals—we are called to create and question. Although there are boundaries, it is within these boundaries that you have freedom and inquisition. In fact, Christianity is the only religion that questions purpose, meaning, and morality. Only the Bible allows you to make distinctions, not the Quran, for example, which means that God is not one. We wonder beyond the earth, and the Bible agrees, convincing us that there is more out there. The Bible tells us that we are creative, lovable, free and unique. In reality, man asks questions, Christianity confirms it, and cathedrals (or other centers of worship) are thus built. At this point, fellowship becomes