OCTOBER 31

On this date in 1517, 499 years ago, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on a church door in Germany.  It was an enumeration of his personal conflicts with the Roman Catholic Church and effectively began the Protestant Reformation.  There had been some minor schisms in the previous 100 years but this began the major defections.  In the following 100 years, several other protestant faiths were born and their dogma disseminated throughout the world.

The break with the Roman Church became violent in some areas.  Skirmishes between the sides flared up.  Battles took place between religious factions in countries all over Europe.  Eventually there followed the Thirty Years War (1618-1648).  More than eight million people died in battles between countries allied with the Roman Catholic Church and countries allied with protestant religions. (In general, southern against northern Europe).  'A sad page of history, to be sure' me thinks.

It couldn't happen again, you say?  What is happening right now between Sunni and Shia Muslims and between Sunni Muslims and Christians?
O_O