Asceticism

Asceticism is the practice of self-denial for the purpose of achieving a higher status, especially as it relates to morals and religion. The concept of Christian asceticism which, emerged during the Reformation of sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe, laid the groundwork for what later became the spirit of capitalism which was one of the essential factors that has made modern-day capitalism successful and even possible.

During its early development, Protestant asceticism was a tenet that called for the orderly functioning and intelligence existence of man and the rejection of spontaneous enjoyment. The farther away man was from ordinary life, the closer he was to God. The most important and lasting achievement of asceticism was the church's support of man's living a rational, orderly and moral life.

The Catholic Church was the predominant religion on Europe prior to the Reformation which was launched in the sixteenth century. One of...