- 1. In 'Religion and the Decline of Magic,' Keith Thomas explores the intricate relationship between religion and the waning of magical beliefs in early modern England. Through a thorough examination of historical documents, literature, and social practices, Thomas argues that the rise of Protestantism played a pivotal role in the diminishing acceptance of magic and superstition during the 16th and 17th centuries. He illustrates how the Church's doctrines increasingly marginalized magical practices, which were once interwoven with the fabric of daily life and seen as integral to community and individual well-being. The book delves into case studies of witch trials, the shifting attitudes towards natural philosophy, and the growing reliance on empirical science, illustrating a cultural transformation where rationality began to overshadow mystical explanations of existence. By contextualizing these changes within broader social and economic shifts, Thomas articulates a compelling narrative of how religious thought not only influenced but also helped to systematically dismantle a worldview that embraced magic as a legitimate force in the human experience, ultimately paving the way for the secularization of society in the modern era.
In which country is the study primarily set?
A) Germany
B) France
C) Italy
D) England
- 2. According to Thomas, what was a primary function of magic in pre-modern society?
A) To promote atheism
B) To challenge the monarchy
C) To advance scientific knowledge
D) To offer explanations and control for misfortune
- 3. What major religious event does Thomas argue failed to meet all the psychological needs of the populace?
A) The Great Schism
B) The Crusades
C) The Protestant Reformation
D) The Inquisition
- 4. What was a key reason for people to consult 'cunning-folk'?
A) To recover stolen property
B) To receive formal education
C) To join the clergy
D) To get married in secret
- 5. Which group's teachings are cited as contributing to a worldview that made magic less necessary?
A) The Lollards
B) The Jesuits
C) The Puritans
D) The Anabaptists
- 6. What was a common accusation against witches in the period Thomas studies?
A) Practicing alchemy to create gold
B) Forging royal documents
C) Causing illness or death to people and livestock
D) Leading Protestant congregations
- 7. What role did astrology play in the period Thomas examines?
A) It was widely consulted for medicine and personal decisions
B) It was universally condemned by the Church
C) It was practiced only by a secretive few
D) It was considered identical to astronomy
- 8. Which Catholic practice did Protestants condemn as being too similar to magic?
A) Monastic life
B) The veneration of saints
C) The saying of grace before meals
D) The use of sacramentals and exorcism
- 9. What is Thomas's main methodological approach in the book?
A) Literary criticism
B) Social history
C) Psychological profiling
D) Theological analysis
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