PortalsOS

The Counter-Reformation, led by figures like Ignatius Loyola who founded the Jesuits, spurred a burst of creativity in Catholic Europe, influencing art and culture. However, this culture eventually fossilized, while Protestantism continued to innovate and embrace new ideas and technologies.

The birth rate dynamics shifted dramatically over the 20th century, with Protestant countries eventually having higher birth rates than Catholic ones, contrary to earlier trends.

The Catholic and Protestant churches were powerful in pre-modern Europe due to the weak state, providing social organization and fostering ideals of personal responsibility and individualism.

The Catholic Church positioned itself against modernity, and as modernity proved impressive, people began to see the Church as outdated. This irony lies in the fact that modernity itself emerged from Christianity.

Alec Riri's book 'Doubt' explores the history of atheism, suggesting that the Catholic-Protestant theological disputes contributed to a society where Christianity permeated but wasn't enforced, allowing for the growth of secular thought.

Atheism became dominant in 18th century France due to resentment towards the Catholic Church's rigidity and the lack of religious freedom. This secular tradition developed in response to a strong centralized government and the Church's resistance to change.

In the High Middle Ages, the Catholic Church's influence was so pervasive in Western Europe that it shaped the very identity of its people. They identified first as Christians rather than Europeans, and this religious framework influenced everything from science to ethics.

In France, the Catholic Church supported freedom and education, collaborating with scientists like Descartes. However, the government maintained a Catholic theocracy, which the Church didn't oppose until the French Revolution. This led to France becoming the most educated country, but also fostered a secular intellectual tradition due to restrictions on religious free thinking.

In France, secularism is seen as a moral good, whereas in Anglo-Saxon countries, religion is viewed as a social stabilizer and a good trait to have. This reflects a significant cultural difference in how religion is perceived across these regions.

Universities in medieval Europe originated as Catholic institutions and became key in developing cities as organizational alternatives to the Church. By the 12th century, they began secularizing, showing Europe's rapid adoption of logical traditions from Byzantines and Muslims.