When the question, “Who is the most the influential American of all time?” comes up, you are bound to get many different types of responses. Philanthropists and do-gooders like Bill Gates are quick to come up. Billionaires, such as Donald Trump or Mark Zuckerberg are also mentioned. Others will suggest Political figures, such as George Washington or Franklin D. Roosevelt. Inventors such as Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell can also be prime candidates.
What if the answer to that question was not only not an American, but even someone who died two centuries before the Declaration of Independence was signed?
If you think about it, you might realize that Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation, had a profound effect on American society. While yes, he was not an American, he was responsible for one of the United States’ most significant-and sometimes controversial-freedoms: the separation of church and state.
In pre-Reformation Germany, the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope had political power that equaled (and sometimes exceeded) that of the German government. Once the Protestant Reformation gained the support of the local German princes, they were able to break off from the Roman Catholic Church and started a gradual trend that saw the Pope’s political power decrease significantly. The Protestant Reformation also had some influence with the Anglican Church separating from Rome, further diminishing the power of the Pope. Even later on, Luther’s teachings had roots in the Puritan movement, which led to the settling of the United States (see how this all ties in together?).
So whether you are religious or not, you do not have to worry about what the United States government thinks about it. You will also never have to worry about religious persecution from the Feds. You can thank Martin Luther for this freedom.
How’s that for influence?
jonathanreistad 