The Papacy was a corrupt toad. But, that was not in general, true of the English monasteries. They were the welfare state of the day. When they went, so did most charity. Tudor legislation against be… (View Post)

The debate in Christianity goes back at least as far as the 8th century Eastern Empire (and has always existed in Islam). Are art, architecture, music, literature the allies of religion, or its most … (View Post)

One of the worst sins for a historian is presentism - the belief that people who lived in past societies shared our own outlook and beliefs. Some behaviours are almost universal - almost everyone lov… (View Post)

Gibbon was an incredible propagandist for Roman “civilisation” v medieval “barbarism”, and he dominates the popular view of Rome long after academics have ceased bothering either to attack or defend … (View Post)

It's why I so detest the notion of "punching up." The National Socialists claimed to be "punching up." It's treating a group like shit, and claiming to be virtuous as yo… (View Post)