Interesting El Gato, that you wrote this article on this Reformation Day, when Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. 95 statements dealing with the selling of indulgences and of other errors that he saw in the church. He challenged the conspiracy theories, he did the Biblical research, and he debunked them. Then, he pointed out that if people can forgive the sins of the living and the dead, then why not just forgive them all and save them the money! If the popery can write an indulgence or stamp it and say, "Yes, those sins are forgiven, why not do it for free? Why must the people pay the Pope with money? Luther pointed out that the greater love is to forgive and do what is right without payment. I agree with Gail Fine that the Church was the "pathway from oppression and hopelessness to freedom, " but it also came with a price: indulgences as a way to Heaven. Luther saw the truth.