Krystian Masiewicz

F-Band

2/27/14
H.W. #10

1.Define: printing press, indulgence, simony, nepotism

printing press - (n.) a machine for printing text or pictures from type or plates.
indulgence - (n.) (in the Roman Catholic Church) a grant by the pope of remission of the
temporal punishment in purgatory still due for sins after absolution. The unrestricted sale of
indulgences by pardoners was a widespread abuse during the later Middle Ages.
simony - (n.) the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, for example pardons or benefices.
nepotism - (n.) the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends,
esp. by giving them jobs.
2.Should people be able to have their sins pardoned by making monetary payments?
I do not think sins should be pardoned in that way. This would make the rich people look like
they are holy since they could say they don't have any sins. It is also unfair for the less fortunate
people who do not have much money, and can barley support themselves. This stops anybody
who can't just spend money to have a clean heart, theoretically speaking. Pardoning sins should
be something any single religious person should be able to do without having to depend on their
job or social status.

3.How was the invention of the printing press used by the Catholic Church? How was it
used by Martin Luther?
When the printing press was first invented, the Catholic Church used it in a way that everybody
still remembers today. They used it to write the very first complete Bible. During this age we still
know about and use the Bible. It may even be one of the most famous religious books. While
Luther himself didn't exactly use the printing press. He posted a number of statements against a
man named Johann Tetzel on a church door, and somebody saw them. This resulted in a person
copying them and spreading them around making Martin Luther very famous.