The work of Nicolaus Copernicus marked a major turning point in the history of astronomy. It was previously believed that the Earth was stationary in the middle of a finite universe, as described in the works of Aristotle and Ptolemy, but this all changed with the heliocentric model put forward by Copernicus. According to this new theory, the sun was...
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Joan of Arc was a heroine of France who played a significant role in the Hundred Years’ War. She claimed to be carrying a divine message, according to which she was destined to liberate France. She proved a highly effective military leader, recapturing Orléans in May 1429 before being seized, sold to the English and burned at the stake. In just...
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John Paul II was the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and is remembered as one of the most important figures in the shaping of 21st century Catholicism. Known in particular for the modernization of the Catholic Church and the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, John Paul led the Catholic Church during a period of great...
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Opus Dei is an organisation linked to the Catholic Church which was founded by Josemariá Escrivá de Balaguer. It has a relatively simple message: all Christians can contribute to the spreading of Christ’s message without having to be a member of the clergy. However, the organisation has suffered several scandals over the years, including the Matesa affair, and is notorious...
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Saint Thomas Aquinas is one of the most influential Catholic theologians of all time, and left behind a vast body of work on an impressively wide range of subjects. In particular, he believed that theology could not exist without philosophy, that reason can allow us to attain knowledge of God’s existence, and that happiness is a key goal of human...
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The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement that began in the 16th century in response to the perceived abuses and excesses of the Catholic Church, such as the sale of indulgences. Protestantism quickly gained a foothold in numerous countries and principalities throughout Northern Europe, in spite of the increasing threat of religious persecution. In just 50 minutes, you will find...
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