Classwork 9.9 2
Ms. Cannistraci
Name:___________________________________ Date:______
Base your answers to the question on the speakers’ statements below and on your
knowledge of social studies.
Speaker A: The chief problem with the Roman Catholic Church is the practice of selling
indulgences. The only way for Christians to receive salvation is through faith alone.
Speaker B: If Christians want to be saved, they should perform good deeds and ask for
forgiveness of sins. The granting of indulgences allows Christians to be excused for their
sins.
Speaker C: It is true that the Bible, and not members of the clergy, is the ultimate source of
religious truth. However, God has already decided who will be saved and who will not.
Speaker D: Since the Pope does not agree with my position, I have decided to separate from
the Roman Catholic Church. I am now not only the head of England but also of the Anglican
Church.
Which speaker most closely reflects the ideas of Martin Luther?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
“. . . Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error, who says that by the pope’s
indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved; . . .”
— Martin Luther
Which period in European history is most directly related to this statement?
(1) Age of Exploration
(2) Scientific Revolution
(3) Crusades
(4) Protestant Reformation
Ms. Cannistraci
Name:___________________________________ Date:______
The Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, a time of great unrest and uncertainty, the Church
provided a place of refuge (security) and hope. Christians believed that one who
lived a good life and followed the rules set down by God and the Church would be
rewarded by a happy life in heaven. A person who did something wrong could
usually undo the wrong by begging forgiveness from God and by performing good
deeds. To make sure that the Church would have final word in disputes, Church
leaders established their own courts, wrongdoers were tried and judges under
canon law. Under this law of the Church, those who disagreed with the teaching
of the Church could be convicted of heresy. Heresy was regarded as a terrible
crime. A common punishment for it was excommunication. An excommunicated
person was barred from all churches and from the salvation of the soul offered by
the Church. This meant that the person would not go to heaven. The Church
might use another form of punishment against a lord or king. The pope could
place a nation or fief under an interdict. This punishment banned all church
services in an area. Such a situation often made the people fearful and angry.
They would demand that their ruler give in to the will of the pope so that religious
services could be held.
From
http://bartholomew.stanford.edu/latinclub/documents/nopass/medieval_church
_lesson_plan.pdf
Based on this excerpt why do you think people would be afraid to question the
Roman Catholic Church?
Ms. Cannistraci
Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______
Choose either Martin Luther or Galileo’s statement to the court.
Make a prediction about how their actions will impact the power of the Roman catholic
Church?
In what ways do their actions connect to humanism and/or secularism?
How will these social forces impact the world politically?
Create a question about today’s topic to ask the class.
Ms. Cannistraci
Name:___________________________________ Date:______
Martin Luther’s Statement to the court
Luther’s Statement to the Court
After studying the Bible I became convinced that the path to heaven comes
by faith alone (praying to God) not by religious practices and ceremonies set up
by the church.
In October 1617, Johann Tetzel, the famous priest, came to our town selling
indulgences (forgiveness for sins). People would tell him they had committed a sin
and after pay him money. Tetzel would tell them that God forgave them. He
didn’t ask if they were sorry and it didn’t matter how serious the sin was. As long
as they had money, they were pardoned. What seemed even worse to me was
that the practice of selling indulgences had the approval of the Pope.
I mailed my 95 theses to the door of the Great Cathedral of Wittenberg. By
doing so, I did as many others had done in the hope of opening public debate on
the issues. However, someone took my ideas and had them run off in every
European language on one of the new printing presses in the area. Before I knew
it my ideas were being discussed all over Europe.
My later criticism went further than the practice of indulgences. Most
important, the idea that the Pope was the final interpreter of religious beliefs and
not the Bible is wrong. Also, why should the Church tell priests how to live or
whether or not they could get married? As a matter of fact, we don’t need church
leaders to explain what the Bible means; everyone should study the Bible and
learn this for themselves. In order to make this easier I translated the Bible and
changed the church service into German. I condemned a church that remained
wealthy while its worshippers remained poor.
Since that time most of the princes in Northern Germany have become
Lutherans. They have taken church property and established state churches.
I was asked by the Pope to admit I was wrong and take back my views. I
refused. As a result, I was excommunicated and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor,
declared me an outlaw.
Galileo’s Statement to the court
GALILEO'S ABJURATION (Statement to the Court)
I, Galileo Galilei,…after [stating] the false opinion that the Sun was the center of
the universe and immoveable, and that the Earth was not the center of the same
and that it moved, and that I was neither to hold, defend, nor teach in any
manner whatever, either orally or in writing, the said false doctrine; and after
having received a notification that the said doctrine is contrary to Holy Writ, I did
write and cause to be printed a book: I have been judged vehemently suspected
of heresy, that is, of having held and believed that the Sun is the center of the
universe and immoveable, and that the Earth is not the center of the same, and
that it does move.
I abjure with sincere heart and unfeigned faith, I curse and detest the said errors
and heresies, and generally all and every error and sect contrary to the Holy
Catholic Church. And I swear that for the future I will neither say nor assert in
speaking or writing such things as may bring upon me similar suspicion;
I, GALILEO GALILEI, have abjured as above, with my own hand.
© Paul Halsall, July 1998, rev. January 1999