Field Journal 3: The Sparks of Reformation

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Who would have thought that the Bible, the first book created, would allow someone to find their voice in society? After writing his own book, Martin Luther a German professor of theology and priest, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the doors of Castle Church in Wittenberg. This sparked the Protestant Reformation and the first time that someone have ever written out their beliefs; beliefs that were different than what was written in the Bible and practiced by the Catholics. This reformation “shattered Christianity into hundreds of sects” states our textbook, Meggs' History of Graphic Design. To me, when thoughts and beliefs are written out for all to see, it is stronger than someone just saying what they believe. When it is in print, it can last forever.

Not only did the ability to print books and manuscripts enable people to become educated as well as to document important information, it was the start of freedom of speech. Martin Luther negatively wrote about the Catholic Church and did not feel guilty about it or the need to apologize to the Pope and others. Although radios where not invented at that time, Luther’s views and beliefs were heard all around Europe simply because he was able to write out his thoughts in a book  which can easily  be passed around from one person to the next.  This just shows how being able to write and publish whatever you want gave people more of a sense of freedom that they may not have been able to have before. This new way of communicating your ideas allows more people to have a voice in their respective communities.  It doesn’t matter where you come from, the ability to write your thoughts out and mass produce it means that your thoughts can be shared not only with your community but with the surrounding communities as well. I am sure that most people in Europe had no idea who Martin Luther was before he wrote his Ninety-Five Theses, yet the freedom and ability to express himself through his writing got him well known throughout Europe quickly! I feel as though Martin Luther not only sparked a reformation in the world of religion, he also sparked a reformation in the way people learn to freely express themselves. 

Credit: 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther#The_start_of_the_Reformation

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin-Luther-1532.jpg (photo)