When Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, he omitted the seven books of the canon which refer to prayers for the dead. The abuse of indulgences and the blatant, sometimes fraudulent practice of selling indulgences for money, led to Luther's protest. Indulgences were sold as spiritual pardons to the poor and applied to the souls of the dead (or the living) to get people into heaven. Famously, Martin Luther argued with the monk, Johan Tetzel, over the sale of indulgences. Certainly, some flagrant abuses of the doctrine were used to raise money for the Church during the renaissance. The belief in purgatory has not been without controversy. Jewish tradition also reinforces this belief as well as the tradition and teaching of the Church, which has been affirmed throughout history.Ĭonsistent with these teachings and traditions, Catholics believe that through the prayers of the faithful on Earth, the dead are cleansed of their sins so they may enter into heaven. Thus made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin."Īdditional references are found in Zechariah, Sirach, and the Gospel of Matthew. "Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The primary reference is in 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. There is scriptural basis for this belief. Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. The intermediate option is purgatory, which is thought to be where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. Most protestant denominations do not recognize the holiday and disagree with the theology behind it.Īccording to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The Anglican church is the largest protestant church to celebrate the holy day. The day is primarily celebrated in the Catholic Church, but it is also celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and a few other denominations of Christianity. All Souls Day is a holy day set aside for honoring the dead.
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