On Christmas day, it is also worth reflecting on 500 years of Reformation
It was in Oct 1517 that Martin Luther wrote his "Ninety Five theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" - which is usually cited as the beginning of the revolt against the Catholic church in Germany
It was in Oct 1517 that Martin Luther wrote his "Ninety Five theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" - which is usually cited as the beginning of the revolt against the Catholic church in Germany
Last year, the 500 year anniversary of this event went largely unnoticed.
And that's not a surprise. Because Christianity is clearly on the decline in Europe. Mainline Protestantism even more so
And that's not a surprise. Because Christianity is clearly on the decline in Europe. Mainline Protestantism even more so
The Protestant reformation, as we all know, radically altered the nature of the Christian religion, especially in Northern Europe.
Shifting the focus from ritual, pilgrimages, sacraments, and institutions in general to pure personal faith and a greater focus on scripture
Shifting the focus from ritual, pilgrimages, sacraments, and institutions in general to pure personal faith and a greater focus on scripture
It was a great fillip to religious fundamentalism, and also the various nationalisms in Europe..
500 years hence, it increasingly appears to us that Protestantism was merely the first milestone on the road to atheism.
500 years hence, it increasingly appears to us that Protestantism was merely the first milestone on the road to atheism.
While Christianity was always a very radical faith from its inception, it was never quite anti-tradition in an aggressive way, until the Reformation.
With its attack on traditions more broadly the reformation made religion a very persona thing, ridding it of its communal element
With its attack on traditions more broadly the reformation made religion a very persona thing, ridding it of its communal element
The rabid forms of atheism we see today is only a logical consequence of the processes initiated by reformation...
The process of personalizing religion and ridding it of its historical context and its ritual side
The process of personalizing religion and ridding it of its historical context and its ritual side
500 years later, Catholicism remains fairly strong. It has become increasingly important in Protestant United States, thanks to Hispanic immigration.
Christianity retains some relevance in Catholic Europe as well as in Greek Orthodox countries..
However it remains terminally weak in regions where Protestant sects were historically dominant.
Be it England, Germany, Scandinavia
However it remains terminally weak in regions where Protestant sects were historically dominant.
Be it England, Germany, Scandinavia
While I am not a Christian, it is worthwhile for Christians to ponder on the long term legacy of Reformation.
While it may have been inspired by fundamentalist zeal, its long term legacy has been largely negative to the cause of not just Christianity but religion more broadly
While it may have been inspired by fundamentalist zeal, its long term legacy has been largely negative to the cause of not just Christianity but religion more broadly
