I agree. It seems to be one of the largest contributors to any semblence of freedom in the West.
Discussion
? You think feudalism is a large contributer to freedom? Please clarify
The Black Death** for clarification
Agreed. It drove scarcity of labor, and made the landowners compete for workers: birth of modern capitalism, and a collective awakening that the ones in power need the workers waaaayyyy more than the workers need theml
How could a monarchy threaten a populace that had fealt the wrath of their God? No royalty could compare to that collective trauma.
Felt*
Having the church hold the deed to people's eternal soul is quite powerful... also the church has a greater moral authority to rule (God says so is the ultimate trump card ). That's why the state loathes the church if it can't control it.
Well, considering the Black Death caused a large disruption of faith, it mostly harmed the foundation of the church. People moved towards more personal spirituality.
I can understand why. If the Church says it is the sole speaker and truth teller for God, but death still sweeps all of Europe, they clearly weren't telling the truth.
the church didn't represent a large swathe of the population who were not counted and did not live in cities due to mainly being pastoralists herding cattle, sheep and goats around the commons. these people were called 'heathens' as a perjorative especially by city dwelling pompous twat "christians".
You see the same thing post WWI and WWII; huge decrease in faith in Europe. In their eyes, god forsaked them. But alot of them were giving their money and praying to the anti-christ (The Pope). So maybe it was better they became atheists...
Then came to worship new gods in the state, giving it the money to create a war machine like no others before in history.