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How Did The Protestant Reformation Contribute To The Emergence Of Humanism

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How Did The Protestant Reformation Contribute To The Emergence Of Humanism
The Renaissance was a period in European civilization from about the 14th century to the 17th century, following the European Middle Ages. The Renaissance brought forth new thoughts and ideas, leaving behind the fixed ideologies of the Middle Ages. This paper will discuss how the emergence of Humanism through literature and art, the Protestant Reformation, and the fall of the Byzantine Empire are some of the most important factors that sparked the beginning of the Renaissance.

Firstly, Europe's shift from Medieval to classical Greek and Roman inspired art and literature may be the most important cause of the Renaissance as it showcases the change in ways of thought and philosophy of European society. Literature and art were one of the factors
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Martin Luther’s 95 theses expressed his ideas about the Bible, the role of papacy in society, how to get into heaven, and religious authority. His theses as well as his translation of the Bible to German let people develop their own understandings of Christianity. This shift toward political and religious freedom caused a divide within the powerful Catholic Church. The Reformation made people question the systems set in place by the Catholic Church that had dominated Europe for over 1000 years. This gave people the opportunity to move away from God and religion and focus on humanity, which was a defining feature of the Renaissance. The Reformation also fragmented Christianity into many different branches, which caused wars, persecution, migration, and eventually the need for religious tolerance. The Reformation introduced the concept of Religious Pluralism to the Renaissance, where every individual in a religiously diverse society has the right to worship according to their own conscience. This newfound tolerance allowed for people to study classical literature and art and follow different religions with less judgement from the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation allowed for the Renaissance to thrive because people were able to move away from the powerful Catholic Church and their corruption, and focus

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