Clerical Abuse:
* Ignorance and Lack of Education: Erasmus criticizes the widespread ignorance among clergy, highlighting their lack of proper theological training and their reliance on rote memorization over genuine understanding. He lampoons priests who can't even read the Bible correctly.
* Simony: He blasts the sale of church offices and indulgences, pointing out the hypocrisy of those who exploit religion for personal gain.
* Worldliness and Greed: Erasmus mocks the opulent lifestyles of many clergy, contrasting their lavish spending with their vows of poverty. He criticizes their pursuit of wealth and power, arguing that they have become more concerned with worldly possessions than with spiritual matters.
* Hypocrisy: Erasmus points out the gap between the preaching and practice of many clergy. He highlights their hypocrisy in promoting chastity while engaging in illicit affairs, advocating for peace while waging wars, and calling for humility while living in luxury.
Religious Practices and Beliefs:
* Excessive Ritualism: He satirizes the elaborate ceremonies and rituals of the Church, suggesting that they have become more about outward display than inner piety.
* Superstition: Erasmus mocks the widespread superstition, including belief in miracles and relics, which he sees as undermining genuine faith.
* Dogmatic Disputes: He criticizes the endless theological debates and arguments within the Church, arguing that they distract from the core message of Christianity.
* Lack of Personal Devotion: Erasmus promotes a more personal and individualistic approach to faith, urging individuals to develop their own relationship with God rather than relying solely on external practices.
Overall, Erasmus' critique in "The Praise of Folly" is aimed at reforming the Church from within. He believed that the Church had become overly focused on outward appearances and institutional power, and he advocated for a return to the simple teachings of Christ and a more personal and authentic form of piety.
It's important to remember that while Erasmus was a critic of the Church, he was also a devout Christian. His intention was not to dismantle the Church, but to reform it from within. His satire was intended to provoke reflection and change, not to destroy.