How did the church gain secular power? a) monks forced massive numbers of people to convert through fear of punishment. b) the church issued interdicts, laws passed by the church regardless of secular law. c) the church's power to deny the sacraments gave the church power over christians. d) canon law established secular courts under the control of the church.

B) The Church issued interdicts, laws passed by the Church regardless of secular law.

Explanation:

This is one of the ways in which the Catholic Church was able to gain secular power. The Church theoretically only deals with matters of spirituality. However, it has often gotten involved in secular life, including law and politics. By issuing interdicts, the Church was able to go against secular law. This meant that Christians were forced to pick which authority to respect, which often meant following the Church.

pretty sure it is c

explanation:

a social contract.

"a social contract is an agreement between citizens and their leader where the citizens give up certain freedoms in exchange for protection. the constitution of the united states is an example of a social contract."