Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry
Today is the 494th anniversary of Luther posting his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg Cathedral:
95 Theses - Luther
What were the economic implications of the 95 theses? How did money start moving differently around Europe after the Reformation? Did money that once would have gone to Rome, end up going to the newly formed multi-national corporations like the Dutch East India company? How much money did the Catholic church lose on a yearly basis once Protestantism began flourishing and how was that money spent differently? |
I personally believe that Luther, as a monk, had written these theses because he was angry with the way in which certain Roman Catholic officials solicited money from wealthier parishioners by "selling" indulgences and pardons for their deceased relatives. This was done to raise money for the building of a cathedral.
It is one thing to ask people to give, another to use it as a means to "sell" salvation or pardon from past sins.
Luther originally objected to the attitude of the money raisers, not the fact that they were soliciting money for the bulding of a church.
He also added that, when compared to the good that could be done by using that money to feed the hungry, the two actions needed to be putinto perspective.
But the business men didn't see it that way. Just like now. Mow down the opposition. Any way you ca., Ends justify the means. Then as time went on, two sides became entrenched, Pope Leo X wrote papers condemning "Lutheranism" the Catholic princes declared Luther " vogelfrei" meaning that he could be killed on sight with no punishment to the killers, and the whole game became political, economic, social and linguistic!
Prince against prince
Italian Rich against German rich
Roman Catholics against "Protesting ones (FR>: Protestants)"
Poor Germans against rich Catholic foreigners
Latin-speaking Church officials against German-speaking peasants and burghers/princes
This later sets the stage for one of Monty Pythoin's greatest achievements:
The sketches about the Spanish Inquisition!
