Martin Luther was offended by the widespread corruptions of the papacy; specifically the proclivity of Popes to engage in governmental matter. He also took instances with widespread practices of simony, the selling of indulgences, and issuing church positions based on money and influence. According to Luther, the individual source of religious authority was God as evinced within the Bible. He believed that the numerous manmade religious positions were actually obfuscating these initial points upon which Christianity was founded. Luther believed that salvation was gained by accepting Jesus Christ and his teachings. Since Jesus crucified and resurrected for the sake of humanity, all people had to do was simply believe in this Christ and live in according to his teachings. Luther advocated religious freedom for individual Christians. He did so because he believed the Roman Catholic Church was corrupt,...

His views on the aforementioned issues differed radically from those of the Catholic Church, which viewed the selling of indulgences as a means of strengthening the church's financial position. The Church also believed that the Pope and other Church officials could and should influence governmental matters, and that good works were essential to salvation. Luther's challenge to the Church was extremely successful since he founded an entirely different branch of Christianity (Protestantism) and actually forced the Church to sanitize some of its less desirable practices. The long-term results of the Protestant Reformation were increased religious tolerance across Europe and Germany, as well as greater fragmentation and specialization of Christianity in general. Much of these effects correlate to…