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Charles V tried to stop the spread of [[Lutheranism]].  In 1544, Charles V sent armies against the German princes, but the [[Peace of Augsburg]] in 1555 gave each German ruler the right to choose the religion for his state.  The princes in southern Germany selected Roman Catholicism, but the princes in northern Germany chose Lutheranism.  After [[World War II]], when Germany split into West and East Germany, the West German part contained the predominantly Roman Catholic regions and the East German part consisted of the mostly Lutheran regions.

Charles V tried to stop the spread of [[Lutheranism]].  In 1544, Charles V sent armies against the German princes, but the [[Peace of Augsburg]] in 1555 gave each German ruler the right to choose the religion for his state.  The princes in southern Germany selected Roman Catholicism, but the princes in northern Germany chose Lutheranism.  After [[World War II]], when Germany split into West and East Germany, the West German part contained the predominantly Roman Catholic regions and the East German part consisted of the mostly Lutheran regions.

Martin Luther continued to write, and taught at a German university for his financial support.  Luther's writings in defense of his religious views were often harsh and passionate.  After first reaching out to the Jews, when they did not embrace his Christianity, at one point near the end of his life he even urged the destruction of their homes and the burning of their synagogues and schools. Historians debate the impact Luther's writings may have had on German thought leading into the Nazi Holocaust of World War II.  Luther harshly criticized many peoples in addition to Jews; a pamphlet of his in 1545, the year before he died, was entitled "Against the Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil,".  It is also recorded that at a round table discussion he said he believed in burning witches.  Some of Luther’s writings seem quite vulgar by today's standards, but much of it was also in response to vulgar accusations against his religious views.   

Martin Luther continued to write, and taught at a German university for his financial support.  Luther's writings in defense of his religious views were often harsh and passionate.  After first reaching out to the Jews, when they did not embrace his Christianity, in 1543 he published a tract entitled ''On the Jews and Their Lies'' which called for the burning of [[synagogue]]s and Jewish schools, the destruction of their prayer books, their homes razed and their money and property confiscated.<ref>[http://www.humanitas-international.org/showcase/chronography/documents/luther-jews.htm Text of ''On the Jews and Their Lies]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html The Jewish Virtual Library]</ref>

 

Historians debate the impact Luther's writings may have had on German thought leading into the Nazi Holocaust of World War II.  Luther harshly criticized many peoples in addition to Jews; a pamphlet of his in 1545, the year before he died, was entitled "Against the Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil,".  It is also recorded that at a round table discussion he said he believed in burning witches.  Some of Luther’s writings seem quite vulgar by today's standards, but much of it was also in response to vulgar accusations against his religious views.   

Lutheranism has only 70 million adherents today, which is only about 7% of the Catholic population.  But nearly all Christians, even Catholics, have sung a famous hymn written by Luther:  "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."  Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide agree with Luther that justification is by faith alone and belong to Protestant congregations that first sprung into being because of Luther's stand.

Lutheranism has only 70 million adherents today, which is only about 7% of the Catholic population.  But nearly all Christians, even Catholics, have sung a famous hymn written by Luther:  "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."  Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide agree with Luther that justification is by faith alone and belong to Protestant congregations that first sprung into being because of Luther's stand.