i'm going to try not to rant, and keep this simple because i only have a few small points.

originally, "back in the day", when ape like humans were starting to change into humans by developing what we today recognise as higher functions of the brain, in particular reasoning and to an extent logic, the humans that reasoned better than others would have been able to build better tools, solve more difficult problems and had an advantage over other less fortunate beings. however, humans at this stage couldn't survive entirely on their own (and can't really today), they had to form tribes or communites, which had a hierarchial structure of authority. it is believed that at this stage in human development it was necessary to keep everybody in line, so no one would leave the tribe, weakening it so the concept of faith, or the belief system was formed to unify the tribe and to guarantee survival. this ensured that in times of hardship or crisis all beings could put aside any personal feelings, emotions, common sense, whatever and have faith that if they did what they were told by the authorities it would benefit the community as a whole and they would prosper. and it looks like it worked because we are alive today, with many diverse belief systems.

now, the catholic church. When the Roman Empire collapsed before 1000ad due to recurring barbarian invasions, art and learning in Europe almost completely disappeared, terror spread across the Europe because people honestly believed that the world was going to end. then the year 1000 came and went, and the world did not end, everyone rejoiced that they were saved and considerable social change began to take place - kingdoms became larger, more propserous and stable and the Church also underwent change - inparticular the Benedictine order was reorganised and became quite powerful and aquired considerable wealth through donations from pilgrims and gifts of the land. ordinary people around this time would not have been able to read, and as the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words, so the church commissioned many artists to do religious works for them. of course the artists weren't given complete freedom over their works. one of the best examples of what the church were trying to achieve (and did?) is a sculpture, the (bit over the door, or ) tympanum at Autun Cathhedral, "The Last Judgement" by Gislebertus. this depicts Christ enthroned in the center surrounded by four angels, with Saint Peter helping the Saved into Heaven and with Archangel Michael at his left hand weighing souls on a balance. the condemned are thrown below into hell, whith the rest of the naked sinners who are cowering in fear and being tormented by grotesque devils and beasts. to twenty first century eye, this must appear comical, but to the medieval eye, an eye that had never seen a picture or a painting or imagery of ANY kind because it wasn't available, something like this must have litterly put the fear of God into them. this typanum was up over the main door so all who entered had no choice but to look at it. and then they would have to lilsten to a priest rant on about how they will go to hell for eternity if they do anything wrong (the priest decide whats right and wrong) and God is everywhere and He will know if you do anything wrong.........i'm really starting to rant, but you should get the picture. people around these times had more of a reason to have faith, God punnished sinners forever, fullstop/period.