Religion on Europe has a long and complicated history. Read here to find out some of the main events that played a huge factor in how our worlds history was shaped. Delphian School is an independent, coeducational day and boarding school located in Sheridan, Oregon open to students from around the world. We offer a rigorous academic independent-study program, with a strong emphasis on practical learning, for primary through high school students. Delphian also offers a highly regarded English-as-a-Second-Language program and boasts a diverse, international student body representing over eighteen countries.

1. Religion in Europe

2. Religion in the past and affect on politics
- Catholicism was the main religion
- The primary mission of the church was spiritual but
during the decline of Rome in the AD 400s led the
Church to assume many political and social tasks
- The pope became the strongest political leader in
Europe: claimed spiritual authority over all
Christians
- The medieval Catholic Church helped govern
western Europe. It had its own laws and courts that
dealt with cases related to the clergy, doctrine and
marriage and morals. Disobedience to church laws
resulted in severe penalties
- Feudal ties that boosted its wealth and political

3. Innocent III and his affect on the Church
- Innocent III tried to reform the Church.
- Laid rules for stopping the spread of heresy, trying to convert
heretics, then excommunicating them when that failed
- The church set up a court, to seek out and punish people
suspected of heresy.
- Brought before the court, urged to confess their heresy, and to
ask for forgiveness. The court
- Often accused people without sufficient proof, sometimes using
torture to obtain confessions. Welcomed back those who
repented but punished those who didn't through imprisonment,
loss of property or even execution.
- Jews position worsened. By the 1000s, Christians blamed Jews

5. A Poll in 2010 found that, on
average, 51% of the citizens of
europe state that they "believe there
is a God", 26% "believe there is
some sort of spirit or life force"
while 20% "don't believe there is any
sort of spirit, God or life force". 3%
declined to answer.
Percent of Christians

6. The "free exercise" of religion is
guaranteed by Article 9 of the "European
Convention on Human Rights"
"Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion; this right
includes freedom to change his religion or
belief and freedom, either alone or in
community with others and in public or
private, to manifest his religion or belief, in
worship, teaching, practice and observance."
The article goes on to say that freedom of
religion can be limited in the interests of
"public safety...the protection of public
order, health or morals, or for the
protection of the rights and freedoms of
others."

7. Delphian is a K-12 independent, co-
educational day and boarding school
located in Sheridan, Oregon, fifty miles
southwest of Portland. Visit Delphian.org
for more information.