The suppression of alternative religions by the Catholic Church

 

The suppression of alternative religions by the Catholic Church is a well-documented historical fact. Here are some possible religious groups that might have flourished without such suppression:

Pagan religions: Prior to Christianity's dominance in Europe, various pagan belief systems existed. These religions, centered on nature worship and local deities, could have continued to thrive in certain regions.

Catharism: A Christian sect deemed heretical by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, Cathars emphasized spiritual purity and rejected the Catholic Church's hierarchy and rituals. They could have become a more prominent Christian denomination.

Hussitism: A 14th-15th century Bohemian movement advocating for reforms within the Church, Hussites challenged the Catholic Church's authority and practices. Without suppression, they could have developed into a separate Christian denomination.