Within the book, there is a section which is dated the day after Christmas day, about a fight that happened within a cemetery. Most of Samson’s servants attended this and in turn excommunicated the people involved as well as his servants that were involved. Afterwards, he accepted them all back in. However, ” [Samson] uttered terrible threats against anyone who, by word or deed, should create discord, and he publicly prohibited assemblies and shows in the cemetery.” (p.83) Afterwards there was a feast with the townspeople and the abbot. This shows how easily someone in power within the church can easily excommunicate someone. If someone is excommunicated, they can’t enter into heaven and it’s that belief that drives power into this term. It’s a power that can be easily abused to excommunicate someone that is blamed but innocent.
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I agree, the threat of excommunication is very effective in disciplining others and keeping them in line. Everyone in this society seeks heaven and eternal salvation, and the threat of having that taken away always looms over them. It also is worth mentioning how much power someone has if they can excommunicate others, and this is a power that can easily be abused.