Humanism
Erasmus of Rotterdam, the author of Praise of Folly and Thomas More, the author of Utopia, were two of the sixteenth century's greatest Renaissance writers. Erasmus and More were both close friends and also great believers in their religion. It was in the early part of the sixteenth century that a new group of "Humanist" thinkers evolved. Both Thomas More and Erasmus of Rotterdam took part in this new philosophy known as Christian Humanism. Christian Humanism is known as a mixture of the philosophy of Plato and the teachings of Christ. Erasmus and More were also both advocates of Individuality. This means that both men believed that no great force could change the universal religion. However, everyone within himself or herself can do something to make a change. Individualists believe in the ability of saving oneself and the individual free will to reform oneself. Individualists believe in the ability to think differently, act differently, and the capacity to become closer to the real Christian ideals and away from the empty rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. Within the teachings of the bible, it states that man should be a "Lamb of God" (a follower of god). To be as such, this means that man should be simplistic,
Praise of Folly is written as an oratory delivered by the personification of Folly, in which Folly ironically praises foolish activities of the day. The primary virtue that the Utopians have singled out is of natural reason, the reasons to which end man was created. Since the Utopians have such a strong educational system, they need very few laws and the laws that do exist are subject only to the most obvious and easiest interpretation. Yet if any of these were to reflect on the meaning of his linen vestment, snow-white in colour to indicate a pure and spotless life; or of his two-horned mitre, both peaks held together by a single knot, signifying perfect knowledge of both Old and New Testaments; of his hands, protected by gloves, symbolic of purity, untainted by any contact with human affairs, for administering the sacrament; of his crozier, a reminder of his watchful care of the flock entrusted to his keeping, or the cross carried before him as a symbol of his victory over all human passions. However, they seem to be more concerned with financial gain. Folly attacks superstitious religious practices, uncritical theories held by traditional scientists, and the vanity of Church leaders. Indeed, King Utopia decreed that all citizens should believe in at least these two things: the immortality of the soul and the existence of rewards and punishments in the next life. Most sociologists would agree with More that education breeds morality and virtue. To raise money for lavish building projects, Popes authorized the sale of indulgence certificates. Religion provides great satisfaction for most of the Utopians. Popes take the place of Christ, and should try to imitate Christ's life, specifically his poverty, labor, doctrine, cross, and contempt of life. Erasmus attacks superstitious folk beliefs in ghosts and goblins as well as Christian rituals involving prayers to the saints. To live according to nature is, for them, to be humanitarian. An indulgence is a pardon of punishment for a sin that reduces the time that a person spends in purgatory (64).
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