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

[August1991]

On 3/19/2025 at 6:27 PM, blackbird said:

....

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.

.....

And endless wars for the rest of us.

[blackbird]

3 hours ago, August1991 said:

And endless wars for the rest of us.

Could you explain what you mean?  It doesn't sound like you understand that the Reformation gave us three vitally important things.  Yes, it resulted in 200 years of wars and struggle to break free from the totalitarian system of Romanism and its vice grip control of every one's personal and public life.  But look what it gave us.  It brought the western world out of the dark ages and gave us freedom.  The price of the freedom was a heavy price paid by many and we are the beneficiaries.

1.  Free enquiry.

2.  Democracy

3.  Limited government.

This article goes into that in detail and explains what it all means.

"

Editor’s Note: Alec Ryrie is the author of “Protestants: The Faith That Made the Modern World” and professor of Christian history at Durham University in England.

CNN — 

If you’re a Protestant, the anniversary of the revolution Martin Luther set in motion 500 years ago this Tuesday is a big deal. But even if you’re not, it should be. The Reformation was one of the decisive events that made the world we live in, for better or worse.

Luther and his followers weren’t trying to reshape the world: they were trying to save it. They had a gospel to proclaim and thought the end was near. But in their urgency they trampled down the walls that had kept life in Western Christendom neatly ordered.

Luther outflanked the power of the Catholic Church hierarchy with a new communications technology, the printing press, that allowed him to speak directly to the people. When he was finally dragged before the assembled majesty of church and empire in 1521 and ordered to renounce his errors, he refused, insisting that his conscience was captive to the Word of God, a higher authority than any pope, bishop or king.

Suddenly, everyone had a voice and no one could tell anyone else what to believe. Luther’s radical appeal to the total supremacy of personal faith would trigger nearly 200 years of religious warfare.

If you’re inclined to believe that our modern divisions go back to the way Luther smashed all order and authority: well, no one can tell you you’re wrong. But if you think modern life is more than an endless bad-tempered argument, you may concede that Luther’s Reformation gave us a few useful, if largely, unexpected gifts. Let me propose three:"

For the full article and elaboration of how the Reformation changed the world:

3 surprising ways the Reformation changed the world | CNN

 

[August1991]

25 minutes ago, blackbird said:

Could you explain what you mean?  It doesn't sound like you understand that the Reformation gave us three vitally important things.  Yes, it resulted in 200 years of wars and struggle to break free from the totalitarian system of Romanism and its vice grip control of every one's personal and public life.  But look what it gave us.  It brought the western world out of the dark ages and gave us freedom.  The price of the freedom was a heavy price paid by many and we are the beneficiaries.

1.  Free enquiry.

2.  Democracy

3.  Limited government.

....

 

blackbird, are you from Iran? One of those Shi'ite Muslims?

Most Sunnite Muslims tolerate the "Protestant" Christians. 

[blackbird]

21 minutes ago, August1991 said:

blackbird, are you from Iran? One of those Shi'ite Muslims?

Most Sunnite Muslims tolerate the "Protestant" Christians. 

False diversion attempt.  Why don't you answer the question instead of making up phony claims?  If you don't want to deal with the subject, why are you wasting time on here?