During the Renaissance, humanism was a new philosophy that was heard of by nearly everyone, and practiced throughout culture. One of the popular ideas of humanism was a religious idea that Christians had never practiced before. Before this, Catholics did everything they did with concern for the next life including indulgences, confession, and many other concepts. Now, people thought that this life was not being appreciated nor man’s fullest potential realized.
Let's take a look at traditional Catholicism. Catholics held the belief that people are sinful creatures but Catholics strove to always do right. In doing right by the Lord, they could enter the perfect place that is heaven in their afterlife and they worked hard to make sure they would reach heaven in their afterlife. Catholics still believe and practice as such. But Catholicism was more relevant to culture in the Middle Ages.
Humanists, who were also Catholic, also believed as such. However, they didn’t try so hard to make sure they got to heaven. It wasn’t part of daily life the way it was in the past. They believed God created the beauty that is life, even though it is flawed, unlike heaven. Therefore, to enjoy and explore all the good life has to offer, you will get more out of your life, and will still reach heaven in the next life, without the thought of eternal damnation weighing heavy on the soul.
However, during the Renaissance, this started off a new novel concept. Some disapproved and some found it novel, but things quickly went from popularizing secular paintings of landscapes and portraits to nearly ditching the religion altogether. Some were forgetting the impetus to strive for a life without sin.
This is a good example of how important moderation is. While you shouldn’t necessarily disagree with Catholics, it is true that the extreme God-centered, anti-individualism most went to did mean they did not explore life to its most meaningful extent. The other extreme was arguably far worse. People like Machiavelli came out of this idea. Machievelli preached that morals should not apply to people in politics. That clearly implies that people with more responsibility should not concern themselves with the task of being a good person.
There is a difference between enjoying beautiful yet secular things, and disregarding God. People should explore the world and find God’s creations exciting. Find a life full of hope and wonder. But never forget, at the end of the day, can you call yourself a good person, or have you explored too far past truth, goodness, and beauty?
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