God Will Spank You
by How is it that the Catholic Church keeps gaining followers and manages to keep the ones it has in line? One could easily write a book on the topic, but instead here is a short, slightly undeveloped look at one common theme.
Yet another way the fears of the general population have been monopolized upon is through manipulating the public during times of mass hysteria and confusion. When the bubonic plague hit Europe church officials claimed its cause to be the wrath of God against nonbelievers. The people were told if they converted god would save them, if not their body then at least their soul. The Salem witch trials also fall under this category. An unexplained illness (which is now believed to be the cause of LSA, a hallucinogenic byproduct of a bad rye harvest) overtook some of the young girls in the village causing them fits of convulsions and hallucinations. It was thought to be the cause of witchcraft. This original accusation against five local women sparked a movement in Massachusetts that led to the imprisonment and or hanging of hundreds of innocent men and women, although the majority were female. The trials at Salem took place in 1692, but witch hunts were most severe from 1580 to 1630 (“Witchcraft”), spreading throughout Europe like a plague of its own, fueled by the writings of Pope Innocent VIII in 1484 condemning the practice of witchcraft as Satanism.
Lastly, but perhaps the most effective way the Catholic Church has used fear as a tool is the prospect of eternal damnation into the darkest pits of Hell. The thought of being tortured for all eternity in a vast pit of fire and despair is enough to make many question the church before making any hasty decisions on what they deem right or wrong. “Thou shall make them as an oven of fire, in the time of thy anger: the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them.” Ps. 20:10. Satan is an intimidating figure as portrayed by Catholicism, hoofed feet, terrifying horns, and a frightening visage of cruelty portrayed in monstrous fashion. If one was to let their guard down for even a moment, Satan might sneak into their homes or even their conscience, influencing them to engage in acts that would put their mortal soul at risk. If someone wanted to be saved from the lamentable fate of spending eternity with this monster, they would have to accept the teachings of Catholicism and repent of their sins. Are you afraid?
Catholicism has been using the fears of the general population to gain followers and keep those it has. The benefits of this method are relatively obvious, by having a large following it gains money and influence which also leads to gained power. There are certain admirable aspects to Catholicism, as there are to most religions, but one must wonder how Catholicism is often promoted. I have stated merely four examples of how Catholicism has promoted itself by use of fear, but there are more to be found. Do you dare to uncover them, to face the fears rooted in legend and myth for centuries?
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