Belief and Devotion By: Christna, Asia, Mana, Tanner, Sebastian, Daniel, Young Bin Maggie and Dalibor

Why are the Western Europeans so dedicated to the Church? The Christians lived in a world with religious signs and meanings. Most people attended church services frequently and almost everyone was very devoted to the church. As in the video, two serfs really liked the church so one decided to go to the church and the other was going to wait for the good things to happen because she did good stuff. They believed that everyone had to struggle between good and evil throughout their lives and that they would be judged right after death. They learned that good people went to Heaven and the evil went to Hell for eternity. Christians believed that taking part of religious ceremonies meant that the sins they have done would be forgiven and that they could avoid the agonies of going to Hell. They saw that God could bring good to their everyday lives such as bringing water when their was a drought or food when everyone was going hungry.

Why are Western Europeans so dedicated to the Church? Continued... The church was a place to learn about God. Commoners such as serfs and freeholders were actually almost at the same level as the nobles in church. In God’s eye, everyone is the same; no one is better or higher than the other. Some commoners converted to being nuns and monks so that they could escape from the labors of farmwork and they could learn to read and write words. Young people would be inspired by the love of God and had also wanted to change their status in the future by getting an education. Anybody could attend church as long as they were devoted and wouldn’t commit sins. If you didn’t go to church, well, nothing really happens.

Excommunication and Karma In the Middle Ages when you are excommunicated, you were no longer allowed to join in on church activities and be properly blessed with marriage or death. This is the most cruelest punishment a person can receive, which was why almost everyone dreaded it. Excommunication can be also known as “Outlaw” in the Viking society. This means that the person was to be treated under the law and could be killed on site by anyone and then be dedicated to some of their land. The Christians believed that they struggled between good and evil throughout their lives and that they would be judged after death. They had to be happy with their position in life because that was God’s plan for them. Karma is the act of being able to raise to Heaven because you have done good things and did no sins. As you can see in the movie, Tanner got excommunicated because he hit tree.

Location of the Church and what the Church did The church had the power over almost everyone, including monarchs. They brought balance to Medieval life meaning that serfs and monarchs had the same level in church. The church usually was located at the centre of the village or the suburb of the manor because it was nice and peaceful. The church performed marriages, burials, witnessed agreements, and sometimes assisted people with desperate needs. The church also taught its followers how to read and write, which was a very important and rare skill during those times.

The Leader of the Church & Support of the Church Priests are the leaders of churches. Some larger churches would have more than one priest. The priest lives right next to the church and has more power than a Monarch! The church was supported by the tax of villagers, called a tithe, which is worth about one tenth of their incomes (either cash or crops). Churches got very rich because they had their own lands in rich manors. Some priest got rich by keeping most of their income from their churches.

MOVIE SCRIPT

Movie Script #1 Maggie: I love the Roman Catholic Church so I am going to do a cartwheel! Maggie: Gee, I really like this church Mana: What would we do without it? Maggie: yeah, I have go to go farm Mana: Okay, farewell SCENE 2 Asia: Today, I teach you about karma. When you do good things, you are brought good things. And when you commit sins, you will then go to Hell. Everyone: AMEN Asia: Because we did good things, God has granted us SUN! SCENE 3 Tanner: *HITS A TREE WITH A STICK Asia: You have committed a sin and your are going to be excommunicated from this church. You cannot marry or participate and you’re going to HELL. GET OUT! Tanner* That sucks

Movie Script #3 SCENE 4 Asia: Thank you Sebastian: *screams* THANK YOU Everyone: Hallelujah! Someone: *says minecraft (no apparent reason) Everyone: AMEN Tanner: *walks in and sits down Asia: I am sorry, you have been excommunicated, you’re going to have to leave. You’re going to HELL!!! Tanner: *walks out with a sigh