Main Concepts of Indulgences
During the High Middle Ages, the Catholic Church sold indulgences, which are symbols to reduce the temporary punishment of forgiven sins.
Luther protested the Catholic Church because of the sales of these “indulgences”. They also led Luther to write the “95 Theses.” Indulgences were sold by the church to reduce time spent in purgatory for forgiven sins, it was thought that if you bought an indulgence for a deceased soul to reduce their punishment, you would also reduce your punishment, as it was thought of as a good deed, and it affects the 21st century with many religions split from the Roman Catholic Church.
Reduction of Penance
Indulgences were sold by the church and the general thought was to reduce penance for forgiven sins. Many people really thought money could buy them less time in purgatory. Almost like the thought that money can buy you feelings. People had a false feeling of security, because indulgences didn’t really give people less time in purgatory, since this is what they thought they would benefit from when buying an indulgence.
The Effect of Indulgences
Impact on the 21st Century
The sale of indulgences after a chain of event led to many branches of the catholic church. Today there are many members to each branch off the catholic church. The difference between the smaller branches are some parts of the mass and prayers said during the mass.
Conclusion
Indulgences were sold by the Catholic Church to reduce punishment in purgatory, with an end result being many branches of the central catholic church. Luther started the Reformation with his “95 Theses.” These are “Main Concepts of Indulgences.”
Unknown Author. (1997). The 95 Theses and their Results. September, 2008, from http://www.luther.de/en/anschlag.html
Hooker, R. (1999) Indulgences. September 2008, from
http://wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/INDULGE.HTM
Registrada, M. (Eds.) (1980). World Book Encyclopedia, The (1980 ed., Vol. 10). USA: World Book-Childcraft International
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