The Protestant Reformation was a major force that brought freedom and human rights to the west

[blackbird]

I believe this fact is not widely known.  The Reformation which took place four to five hundred years ago in some areas of Europe led to the Holy Roman Empire run by Rome being broken up in a number of countries of Europe.  In some countries, after a long struggle, freedom from the total control by Rome was finally brought to an end and individual freedom was gradually born.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs tells us in the introduction:

"In all ages, we find that a disposition to persecute for opinion’s sake, has been manifested by wicked men, whatever may have been their opinions or sentiments on religious subjects. The intolerant jew, and the bigoted pagan, have exhibited no more of a persecuting spirit, than the nominal professor of Christianity, and the infidel and the avowed atheist. Indeed, it seems to be an “inherent vice,” in unsanctified nature to endeavour by the pressure of physical force, to restrain obnoxious sentiments, and to propagate favourite opinions. It is only when the heart has been renewed and sanctified by divine grace, that men have rightly understood and practised the true principles of toleration."

Persecution was practiced for the past 2,000 years throughout the world and resulted in the loss of countless lives.  Those were the martyrs described in the book Foxe's Book of Martyrs available from many sellers on Amazon and also available to read online at some websites.  The Holy Roman Inquisition is also recounted in many books available on Amazon and also available online to read on the archive.org website.

The Reformation which resulted in a struggle in certain countries of Europe over a long period of time beginning in the 14th to 16th centuries resulted in a number of countries in northern Europe breaking free from the shackles of Rome which previously had dominated everyone's life through their control of kings, queen, emperors, and local government authorities and church clergy.  The accused sometimes received the death penalty if convicted of heresy.  Rome used the tool of the Holy Roman Inquisition for four hundred years to enforce Rome's totalitarian system on the western world through the middle ages.  The Reformation eventually led these countries to adopt democratic systems, human rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of conscience and freedom of speech.  These freedoms were essentially non-existent in the western world for at least a thousand years in the 16th century.  The Bible had been banned from the common people and all teachings had to come from the church clergy and hierarchy.  The Reformation changed everything and people demanded the right to believe what they themselves determined and the right to speak what they believed.  Many lost their lives in this struggle for freedom and we should take the time to acknowledge those who suffered and gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.  We should never take it for granted.  There are powers that be that would if they had the chance take away our freedoms and bring us under their system.

Edited March 20 by blackbird