During the time when the Black Plague struck there were two main religions in the world, Christianity and Islam. An interesting topic that one might discover of this time is, how did these two religions react to the plague. Could it be possible that they acted as everyone else did at that time, or did they hold strong to their beliefs? One might believe that because Christianity and Islam are two different religions, that they would react in very different ways but in reality that acted quite similarly. When the Black Plague arrived, the Christians and the Muslims had similar ways of dealing and responding to it. To understand the topic, one must first be familiar with the two religions involved, Christianity and Islam. Christianity follows
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Some of the treatments that they came up with may sound ridiculous today, but one must keep in mind that at the time people did not know any better. When the plague hit many people were afraid and confused. For this reason they fasted, prayed to their God, and attended religious services more often than accustomed. They concluded that if they did right by God, they would be able to make up for their sins, and God would stop punishing them. Some specific things that the European Christians did to try and stop the plague include purifying the air with fire, and sometimes scented plants, cover their windows, drink liquefied clay, and breathe in latrine vapors(DBQ: The Black Death, 2010). Some took extreme measures, trying to stop the Black Death through self harm. These people were called Flagellants. They would march around town singing hymns while flogging themselves, sometimes doing this so violently that they would draw blood (DBQ: The Black Death, 2010). The Muslims came up with some similar and some different treatments like eating special food, staying indoors, fumigating with fires, drinking Armenian clay, and making strict laws against alcohol and prostitution (sins they believed caused the plague). One could see some correspondences in the two religion’s treatment. For example drinking clay, fumigating and …show more content…
There were so many deaths in so little time. It is easy to see why this would cause panic and fear. Many were so confused that they strayed from their religion and faith and began to live an evil and rebellious life, disregarding their salvation. So many people died that multiple bodies were stacked on one bier to be carried to a ditch. Sometimes a single ditch could be piled with thirty or more bodies (DBQ: The Black Death, 2010). The deaths of so many people just became a part of everyday life for the people of both religions. Many Muslims gathered in the mosque and Christians in the church to pray. Sometimes there were arguments and disputes within the places of worship. Generally speaking both religions reacted with fear and panic which created chaos. It is clear to see why one might believe that Christians and Muslims reacted similarly to the Black Death. They had coinciding ideas of causes, some of the same treatments, and virtually the same reactions. Perhaps the people who believe in Islam and Christianity are not so different, although they are two different religions. Christians and Muslims dealt with the Black Death much the
Some of the treatments that they came up with may sound ridiculous today, but one must keep in mind that at the time people did not know any better. When the plague hit many people were afraid and confused. For this reason they fasted, prayed to their God, and attended religious services more often than accustomed. They concluded that if they did right by God, they would be able to make up for their sins, and God would stop punishing them. Some specific things that the European Christians did to try and stop the plague include purifying the air with fire, and sometimes scented plants, cover their windows, drink liquefied clay, and breathe in latrine vapors(DBQ: The Black Death, 2010). Some took extreme measures, trying to stop the Black Death through self harm. These people were called Flagellants. They would march around town singing hymns while flogging themselves, sometimes doing this so violently that they would draw blood (DBQ: The Black Death, 2010). The Muslims came up with some similar and some different treatments like eating special food, staying indoors, fumigating with fires, drinking Armenian clay, and making strict laws against alcohol and prostitution (sins they believed caused the plague). One could see some correspondences in the two religion’s treatment. For example drinking clay, fumigating and …show more content…
There were so many deaths in so little time. It is easy to see why this would cause panic and fear. Many were so confused that they strayed from their religion and faith and began to live an evil and rebellious life, disregarding their salvation. So many people died that multiple bodies were stacked on one bier to be carried to a ditch. Sometimes a single ditch could be piled with thirty or more bodies (DBQ: The Black Death, 2010). The deaths of so many people just became a part of everyday life for the people of both religions. Many Muslims gathered in the mosque and Christians in the church to pray. Sometimes there were arguments and disputes within the places of worship. Generally speaking both religions reacted with fear and panic which created chaos. It is clear to see why one might believe that Christians and Muslims reacted similarly to the Black Death. They had coinciding ideas of causes, some of the same treatments, and virtually the same reactions. Perhaps the people who believe in Islam and Christianity are not so different, although they are two different religions. Christians and Muslims dealt with the Black Death much the