Print created the possibility of the wide circulation of ideas and introduced a new world of debate and discussion."" Analyse the statement in the context of religion in Europe.(All India-2018 (Compartment))
Answers
Print created the possibility of the wide circulation of ideas and introduced a new world of debate and discussion. This can be well understood from the following points:
1. In 1517, Martin Luther wrote ‘Ninety-Five Theses’ which criticised the rituals and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. This led to Protestant Reformation and the permanent division of Christians into Catholics and Protestants.
3. His book was immensely popular and sold nearly 5000 copies within a month.
4. Menocchio, a mill worker, reinterpreted the message of the Bible in a way that enraged the Roman Catholic Church. During the Roman Catholic churches drive to repress heretical ideas, Menocchio was hauled up and finally executed.
5. Also, Muslims used print to check conversions.
6. Hindus used print to read vernacular religious texts.
Thus, the print was used to criticise existing practices and people were persuaded to think differently.
Answer:
(iii) Implications on the sphere of religion. The religious reformer, Martin Luther, wrote Ninety Five Theses criticizing many practices of Roman Catholic Church. A printed copy of this was posted on a church door. This led to a division within the church and market the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.