Final answer:
A monastic lifestyle is characterized by austerity and a deep commitment to spiritual practices, not luxury and disregard for the Church. Monasteries have historically been centers for learning, prayer, and work, and even influential roles for women. The statement is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
False: A monastic lifestyle does not include a lot of luxury and disregard for the Church. Rather, it is characterized by austerity, self-denial, and a deep commitment to spiritual practices and the teachings of the Church. Historically, monasticism emerged as a movement within Christianity ardently dedicated to ascetic living, following the example of figures like Saint Antony, who retreated to the desert to live a life of prayer and contemplation, free from the temptations of the material world.
Monasteries were usually located in isolated areas and were integral to preserving learning, fostering missionary work, and sustaining Christian culture, especially in the post-Roman world. Notable developments in monastic life included the Rule of Benedict, which emphasized a balance between prayer, study, and work. Women also played a significant role in monastic communities, sometimes holding influential positions as abbesses.