Capital: "Weighing Souls" Sandstone 12th century Du Mottier Church (Isère) ?? Collection of the Musée Dauphinois According to Christian tradition, it is the Archangel Michael, leader of the heavenly armies, who will weigh souls on Judgment Day in order to separate the righteous elect from the damned sinners. The large figure is the Archangel holding the scales, and on either side are two small naked figures- souls who are candidates for eternal life. On the left is a grimacing monster armed with a trident – the devil eager to claim his tribute of sinful souls.   These are the thumbnails and texts for this alcove. They can be printed. The close connection between monotheism and history made it possible to hope for salvation and the redemption of mankind. For the three monotheistic religions, the conformity of a person’s actions with divine teaching determines his or her life in the hereafter. Belief in an immortal afterlife, fear of judgment, and the expectation of paradise are common to Jews, Christians and Muslims. Life after death implies not just a simple rebirth, but a radical modification of the entity.

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