Conflict Within Religion: THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION Unit 2: Religion and Belief Systems •Excommunicate: To take away the right of church membership The East-West Schism Context • In the Roman Empire, Christianity had 2 main Churches, each with a ruling patriarch: – Rome (pope = patriarch) – Constantinople – Alexandria – Antioch – Jerusalem • Rome divided into Western Rome and Eastern Rome – Western Rome collapsed, and the empire lost much of its territory including Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria • As Rome declined, only the Churches in Rome and Constantinople remained powerful • The Churches in Rome in the west and The East- Constantinople in the east disagreed over: West – Clerical celibacy – The distribution of power between the Schism patriarchs – Different interpretations of the Bible • Greek vs Latin – Leavened vs unleavened bread for Communion – Nature of the Holy Trinity • East refuses to accept pope’s claim of leadership – Patriarch in Constantinople excommunicates the Roman pope in 1054 – Pope excommunicates the patriarch in return The Protestant Reformation Need for • In the 15th and 16th centuries, Reform many people saw popes and other Church officials as greedy and too political – People felt ignored by priests • People had to purchase indulgences (document sold by the Church that released someone from all or part of the punishment for sin; reduced time in purgatory after death) • Martin Luther was a Catholic monk and Martin teacher of the Bible Luther and – Believed salvation was found through faith alone; Bible is the only source of religious the Ninety- truth five Theses • Luther frustrated by sale of indulgences and Church corruption • October 31, 1517: Luther nailed his “Ninety-five Theses” to door of the Church in Wittenberg, Germany – Ninety-five Theses: A written attack on the abuses and corruption of the Church and indulgences A Break • Luther became more “radical” over time With the – Called for German princes to overthrow papacy – Attacked Catholic sacraments (except baptism Church and Eucharist) – Called for clergy to marry • Luther was excommunicated and then summoned to appear before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V – Charles V tried changing Luther’s mind; Luther refused Rise of • Luther’s doctrine known as Lutheranism Lutheranism – First Protestant faith.