>>> COMING UP, LUCKY SEVERSON ON HOUSES OF WORSHIP PROVIDING SANCTUARY TO PEOPLE FACING DEPORTATION.

>>> AND KIM LAWTON TRAVELS TO GERMANY TO REPORT ON THE 500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION.

HOW DOES THE REFORMATION'S >>> WELCOME.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD A BUSY SECOND WEEK IN OFFICE, AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS WERE ALSO BUSY RESPONDING TO MANY OF THE ACTIONS HE HAS TAKEN.

ON THURSDAY, THE PRESIDENT ATTENDED THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST.

TRUMP SPOKE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

HE REPEATED HIS PROMISE TO REPEAL AN IRS RULE THAT BARS PASTORS FROM ENDORSING CANDIDATES FROM THE PULPIT.

HE ALSO CONDEMNED VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OVERSEAS.

HE SAID THAT'S IN PART WHY HE ISSUED A TEMPORARY BAN ON REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AND TRAVEL FROM SEVEN PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM NATIONS.

>> WE WILL NOT ALLOW A BEACHHEAD OF INTOLERANCE TO SPREAD IN OUR NATION.

>> BUT TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION ORDERS CONTINUED TO DRAW WIDESPREAD CRITICISM FROM RELIGIOUS GROUPS, INCLUDING THE U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS, AS WELL AS MAINLINE PROTESTANTS, EVANGELICALS, AND JEWISH AND MUSLIM GROUPS.

IN WASHINGTON, AS A BROAD RELIGIOUS COALITION URGED THE NATION TO ADOPT A NEW INTERFAITH VISION, SEVERAL LEADERS REPEATED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE BAN.

>> WHILE WE RAISE AND WHILE WE ARE VERY, VERY AWARE OF THE NEED FOR SECURITY, WE ALSO VERY MUCH RECOGNIZE THAT THAT CANNOT BE AT THE COST OF PERSONAL -- OF ANY TYPE OF FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE BEING PERSECUTED.

>> MEANWHILE, MANY FAITH-BASED GROUPS ARE REACTING TO TRUMP'S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE, JUDGE NEIL GORSUCH.

CONSERVATIVE RELIGIOUS GROUPS PRAISED HIM, SAYING HE HAS A POSITIVE TRACK RECORD ON THEIR ISSUES OF CONCERN SUCH AS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

OTHER MORE LIBERAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF HIS RULINGS, INCLUDING ON CIVIL RIGHTS.

GORSUCH IS AN EPISCOPALIAN.

IF CONFIRMED, HE WOULD BE THE FIRST PROTESTANT ON THE COURT SINCE 2010, JOINING FIVE CATHOLICS AND THREE JEWS.

>>> MANY RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL LEADERS CRITICIZED TRUMP FOR THE STATEMENT THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY.

THE STATEMENT MADE NO SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO JEWS AS VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST.

IN RESPONSE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT OTHERS, NOT JUST JEWS, HAD SUFFERED IN THE HOLOCAUST.

THE U.S.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM RELEASED ITS OWN STATEMENT OVER THE CONTROVERSY, NOTING "THE ELIMINATION OF JEWS WAS CENTRAL TO NAZI POLICY."

TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN WAS ALSO ACCUSED OF ANTI-SEMITISM DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

>>> THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD ALLOW TRANSGENDER BOYS TO JOIN THE ORGANIZATION.

THE GROUP SAID IT WOULD BEGIN ACCEPTING MEMBERS BASED ON THE GENDER LISTED ON THEIR APPLICATION INSTEAD OF RELYING SOLELY ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

THE DECISION COMES AFTER LAST YEAR'S CONTROVERSY WHEN THE ORGANIZATION EXPELLED A TRANSGENDER BOY FROM NEW JERSEY.

THE BOY SCOUTS ENDED ITS BAN ON OPENLY GAY YOUTHS IN 2013.

>>> A NEW SURVEY FROM THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER SHOWS THAT ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT TO BE TRULY AMERICAN ONE HAS TO BE CHRISTIAN.

REPUBLICANS WERE MORE LIKELY THAN DEMOCRATS TO SAY CHRISTIANITY IS KEY TO BEING AMERICAN.

57% OF WHITE EVANGELICALS ALSO SAY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR AMERICANS TO BE CHRISTIAN.

IN ADDITION, A THIRD OF THE PUBLIC SAID THAT TO BE AMERICAN ONE NEEDS TO HAVE BEEN BORN IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND 70% SAID BEING AN AMERICAN MEANS SPEAKING ENGLISH.

>>> POPE FRANCIS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONDEMNED AN ATTACK ON A MOSQUE IN CANADA'S QUEBEC CITY THAT LEFT SIX PEOPLE DEAD AND MORE THAN A DOZEN INJURED.

FRANCIS SAID CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS SHOULD UNITE IN PRAYER OVER THE TRAGEDY.

MEANWHILE, HERE IN THE U.S., A TEXAS MOSQUE HAS RAISED MORE THAN A $1 MILLION TO REBUILD.

LAST WEEKEND, THE VICTORIA ISLAMIC CENTER NEAR HOUSTON WAS GUTTED BY FIRE.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> ONE OF THE STRONGEST COMMANDMENTS IN THE BIBLE IS TO WELCOME THE STRANGER.

CLERGY ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE TAKEN THAT TEACHING TO HEART AND GIVEN SANCTUARY TO THOUSANDS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

LUCKY SEVERSON REPORTS FROM TUCSON, ARIZONA, WHERE THE SANCTUARY MOVEMENT GOT ITS START.

>> AS PEOPLE OF FAITH AND PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE WE PLEDGE TO RESIST THE NEWLY ELECTED ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY PROPOSALS TO TARGET AND DEPORT MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: REVEREND ALISON HARRINGTON IS THE PASTOR OF THE SOUTHSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN TUCSON, ARIZONA.

ABOUT 20 CONGREGATIONS IN THIS CITY ABOUT AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM THE BORDER HAVE PLEDGED TO OFFER THEIR HOUSE OF WORSHIP AS A SANCTUARY.

THIS IS A RESPONSE TO WHAT THEY PERCEIVE HERE AS AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> BEGINNING TODAY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA GETS BACK CONTROL OF ITS BORDERS, GETS BACK ITS BORDERS.

>> THE FEAR IS PALPABLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO SO IS THE RESOLVE TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO STAND WITH ONE ANOTHER AND PROTECT ONE ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: SOUTHSIDE PRESBYTERIAN HAS CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE WITH THE SANCTUARY MOVEMENT.

ROSA ROBLES LORETO, MARRIED MOTHER OF TWO BOYS, SPENT 461 DAYS LIVING AT SOUTHSIDE AFTER SHE WAS ARRESTED ON A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION IN 2010 AND FOUND TO HAVE AN EXPIRED VISA.

>> Translator: WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED WITH THIS FEAR.

WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN TRYING TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

IT WAS A VERY SAD EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: WHEN SHE WAS RELEASED AFTER 60 DAYS DETENTION AWAITING DEPORTATION, SHE FOUND REFUGE AT SOUTHSIDE.

SHE AND HER FAMILY HAVE BEEN LIVING QUIETLY IN A MOBILE HOME, NOT A PRIORITY FOR DEPORTATION UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA.

BUT UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, THAT COULD CHANGE.

>> THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE SOME MOTHERS IN MY COMMUNITY WHO DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS THAT I HAVE, THAT LIVE IN FEAR THAT THEY WOULD BE TAKEN FROM THEIR CHILDREN CUTS TO THE VERY CORE OF MY IDENTITY.

>> Reporter: ROY BECK IS FOUNDER OF NUMBERS USA, AN INFLUENTIAL CONGRESSIONAL LOBBYING GROUP WITH A MISSION OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS, LEGAL AND ILLEGAL.

>> I DO FEEL THAT THE SANCTUARY CHURCHES ARE UNDERMINING THE RULE OF LAW, WHICH IS THE CORNERSTONE OF A JUST SOCIETY.

EVERY COUNTRY HAS IMMIGRATION POLICIES, AND THE MAIN REASON YOU HAVE IMMIGRATION POLICIES IS TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE WORKERS OF YOUR COUNTRY.

THAT'S A JUST LAW.

>> MY SCRIPTURES COMMAND ME -- DON'T ASK ME BUT COMMAND ME TO STAND WITH THOSE WHO ARE BEING PERSECUTED AND THOSE WHO ARE BEING OPPRESSED.

MY SCRIPTURES MANDATE ME TO WORK FOR JUSTICE.

MY SCRIPTURES MANDATE ME TO PUT MY FAITH INTO ACTION.

OTHERWISE MY FAITH IS DEAD.

>> MY FAITH HAS HELPED ME TO LIVE DAY BY DAY AND FEEL THAT GOD IS WITH ME AND WITH US, AND I TRY TO SPREAD THAT HAPPINESS TO OTHERS, TO MY FRIENDS, THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO ARE VERY AFRAID.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, ROSA WAS NOT SOUTHSIDE'S FIRST REFUGEE.

THE SANCTUARY MOVEMENT STARTED HERE OVER 35 YEARS AGO WHEN JOHN FIFE WAS THE PASTOR.

BACK THEN, THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WERE FLEEING DEATH SQUADS IN EL SALVADOR AND GUATEMALA.

>> WE WERE JUST TRYING TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES OF REFUGEES AS WE COULD ON THIS BORDER, AND THAT WAS OUR ONLY IDEA.

>> Reporter: REVEREND FIFE SAYS HE WAS MOTIVATED BY A QUAKER FRIEND WHO SAID CHURCH LEADERS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HELP REFUGEES.

>> HE POINTED TO TWO TIMES IN HISTORY.

ONE WAS THE ABOLITION MOVEMENT, WHEN HE SAID, SOME CHURCH FOLKS HELPED RUNAWAY SLAVES CROSS STATE LINES SAFELY AND MOVE THEM THROUGH AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO SAFER AND SAFER PLACES.

AND THEN HE POINTED TO THE ALMOST TOTAL FAILURE OF THE CHURCH IN EUROPE IN THE 1930s AND 1940s TO PROTECT JEWISH REFUGEES.

AND HE SAID THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT HISTORIC FAILURES OF THE CHURCH TO BE FAITHFUL.

>> Reporter: OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS, MORE THAN 13,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE FOUND REFUGE AT SOUTHSIDE.

REVEREND FIFE SAYS IN THE 1980s THE GOVERNMENT DID SPY ON CHURCHES WITH UNDERCOVER AGENTS AND DID INDICT 16 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING HIMSELF.

THEY WERE ALL SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS PROBATION, EVEN AFTER THEY TOLD THE JUDGE THEY INTENDED TO GO BACK TO THE SANCTUARY MOVEMENT.

>> WHENEVER THEY THOUGHT ABOUT COMING INTO CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES, THEY THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE VERY BAD PUBLICITY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS TUCSON'S CURRENT CHIEF OF POLICE, CHRIS MAGNUS.

>> EVEN PUTTING THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION ASIDE, JUST THE IDEA OF DOING LAW ENFORCEMENT INSIDE A CHURCH OR A PLACE OF WORSHIP, A MOSQUE OR WHEREVER IT MIGHT BE, STRIKES ME AS A VERY, VERY BAD PROPOSITION.

>> OUR ORDER ALSO DOES THE FOLLOWING -- CRACKS DOWN ON SANCTUARY CITIES.

>> Reporter: IT WON'T BE EASY FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

MORE THAN 500 CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE POLICIES THAT LIMIT COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

OF COURSE, THEY RISK LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING IF THEY DON'T COOPERATE.

THE REAL BATTLE WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE IN CHURCH SANCTUARIES.

700 CONGREGATIONS HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP, AND MORE ARE EXPECTED.

>> OUR INTENTION HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS TO BE AS WELCOMING A COMMUNITY AS POSSIBLE TO ALL OUR RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR DOCUMENTATION STATUS.

WE DO NOT MAKE INQUIRIES ABOUT THAT STATUS.

OUR GOAL IS THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY AND SO WE WOULD WANT ANYONE, CERTAINLY, WHO IS A VICTIM OF A CRIME, WHO WITNESSED A CRIME, OR THOSE WHO COULD HELP US PREVENT A CRIME TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH THE POLICE.

>> THE CAUSE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS PRIMARILY BUSINESSES WHO BREAK THE LAW BY HIRING ILLEGAL WORKFORCE.

WE ENTICE PEOPLE TO ENDANGER THEIR LIVES BY SENDING THESE SIGNALS THAT IT'S OKAY TO BREAK THE LAW, AND IF YOU COME YOU'LL PROBLEM BY BE REWARDED.

>> Reporter: THE SONORAN DESERT IS A BEAUTIFUL, DESOLATE, AND DANGEROUS PLACE.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH HERE EACH YEAR.

BOB FEINMAN KNOWS.

HE WORKS FOR A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION CALLED HUMANE BORDERS, DEPOSITING TROUGHS OF WATER FOR DESPERATE IMMIGRANTS.

BUT ON THIS DAY SOMEONE HAD STOLEN THE WATER TROUGH.

>> SO IT'S GONE, I TAKE IT.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO CROSS WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, AND WE JUST DON'T WANT THEM TO DIE, WHICH IS WHY WE PUT WATER HERE.

BUT OBVIOUSLY THOSE WHO VANDALIZE US DON'T FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT HAVING THEM DIE.

>> Reporter: WHAT KEEPS BRINGING HIM BACK HERE, HE SAYS, IS HIS FAITH.

>> DIDN'T SPEND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME PAYING ATTENTION TO THE RABBIS WHEN I WAS IN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL AS A CHILD, BUT THE ONE THING I REMEMBER WAS THE SEDER EVERY YEAR AT PASSOVER, THE EXODUS.

WE WERE THE ONES THAT WALKED AROUND IN CIRCLES FOLLOWING MOSES FOR ALL THOSE YEARS.

PEOPLE HERE ARE WALKING IN CIRCLES, FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AND FACING DEATH, AS WE DID.

>> Reporter: IN THIS PART OF THE DESERT THERE WERE BETWEEN 150 AND 170 FATALITIES IN 2016.

THE CROSSES ALONG THE WAY MEAN SOMEONE, SOME IMMIGRANT, DIED HERE.

>> THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, WORKING WITH MYSELF AND MY STAFF, WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATE CONSTRUCTION OF A BORDER WALL.

>> WELL, THE PEOPLE I'VE COME IN CONTACT WITH -- RANCHERS, RETAILERS, ATTORNEYS, PEOPLE IN THE FRUIT AND PRODUCE BUSINESS -- I HAVEN'T COME ACROSS ONE WHO'S GOING TO SUPPORT A WALL.

>> Reporter: NO ONE HERE DOWNPLAYS THE PROBLEM, BUT CRIME IS NOT THE BIGGEST CONCERN, AS THE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE YOU THINK.

>> THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN HIGHER RATES OF CRIME AND IMMIGRANTS, BOTH DOCUMENTED OR UNDOCUMENTED.

IT IS SAFE TO SAY WITHOUT QUESTION THERE ARE SOME UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS WHO ARE DANGEROUS.

BUT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO THIS COUNTRY, EVEN ILLEGALLY, ARE USUALLY HERE FOR ECONOMIC REASONS -- TO TRY TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES, TO TRY TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE, OR TO FLEE SOME OFTEN REALLY HORRIFIC CONDITIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> ACTUALLY, THE BORDER COMMUNITIES ARE -- HAVE THE LOWEST CRIME RATE IN TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA, AND CALIFORNIA OF ANY OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THOSE STATES.

AND IMMIGRANTS HAVE A MUCH LOWER CRIME RATE THAN NATIVE-BORN PEOPLES IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: ROY BECK WITH NUMBERS USA SAYS THE POINT IS NOT THAT IMMIGRANTS CREATE CRIME, BUT THAT THEY TAKE JOBS FROM LOW-SKILLED CITIZENS.

>> I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING LIKE TWO BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT LIVE ON LESS THAN $2 A DAY.

THERE'S JUST NO WAY YOU CAN HANDLE THAT.

YOU HAVE TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE.

♪♪ >> Reporter: THE BATTLE LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP IN TUCSON AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WON'T BACK DOWN.

>> FOR ALL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: IT'S UNLIKELY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WILL CHANGE ITS POLICY.

FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN TUCSON.

>>> NOW, ANOTHER SPECIAL REPORT.

2017 MARKS 500 YEARS SINCE MARTIN LUTHER MADE PUBLIC HIS 95 THESES, OR COMPLAINTS AGAINST CERTAIN CHURCH PRACTICES.

MANY EXPERTS SAY THAT EVENT LAUNCHED THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION, WHICH ULTIMATELY DIVIDED WESTERN CHRISTIANITY INTO CATHOLICISM AND PROTESTANTISM.

KIM LAWTON FOLLOWED LUTHER'S FOOTSTEPS IN GERMANY TO SEE HOW THIS MAJOR ANNIVERSARY IS BEING COMMEMORATED.

SHE ALSO TALKED TO SEVERAL CHRISTIAN LEADERS ABOUT HOW THE EFFECTS OF THE REFORMATION CONTINUE TODAY.

>> Reporter: THE HISTORIC TOWN OF WITTENBERG, GERMANY, IS GETTING READY FOR A HUGE INFLUX OF VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

THE HOUSE WHERE MARTIN LUTHER LIVED WHEN HE LAUNCHED THE REFORMATION IS UNDERGOING MASSIVE RENOVATIONS.

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS ARE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

OTHER TOURIST SITES IN WHAT THE GERMANS CALL "LUTHER COUNTRY" ARE ALSO SPRUCING UP AND BRINGING IN NEW LUTHER-RELATED BOOKS AND PRODUCTS.

HERE IN THE U.S., SPECIAL EVENTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY AS WELL.

EXPERTS SAY THIS ANNIVERSARY IS INDEED A BIG DEAL.

>> THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION IS IN MANY WAYS IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN WESTERN CHRISTIAN HISTORY.

>> IT WAS LIKE A POINT WHERE THE CHURCH'S STORY TOOK A RADICAL TURN, AND EVERYTHING WE ARE NOW IS SORT OF THE PRODUCT OF THAT MOMENT IN HISTORY.

AND IT'S ALSO A MIRROR BY WHICH WE REFLECT WHERE WE ARE NOW.

>> Reporter: THE PROLIFIC AND OFTEN CANTANKEROUS THEOLOGIAN MARTIN LUTHER IS AT THE CENTER OF THE CELEBRATIONS.

LUTHER WAS BORN IN WHAT IS NOW GERMANY IN 1483.

HIS FATHER SENT HIM TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ERFURT TO STUDY LAW.

THE YOUNG LUTHER HAD MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD.

AT THE AGE OF 21, HE DEFIED HIS FATHER'S PLANS AND ENTERED THE AUGUSTINIAN MONASTERY, WHERE HE BECAME A MONK.

>> HE WAS IN HIS 20s AND THIS WAS THE TIME, THE MOMENT WHEN HE GOT FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE A COMPLETE BIBLE IN HIS HANDS.

AND HE COULD READ, AND NOW HE HAD ACCESS TO A BOOK WHERE HE HOPED TO GET ANSWERS FOR HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: LUTHER WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST AT ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL IN ERFURT AND EARNED A DOCTORATE IN THEOLOGY.

HE CONTINUED WRESTLING OVER QUESTIONS ABOUT FAITH.

REVEREND AMY BUTLER IS SENIOR MINISTER AT THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH, A PROMINENT MAINLINE PROTESTANT CHURCH IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> HE WAS GRAPPLING WITH THE ESSENTIAL HUMAN QUESTION THAT ALL OF US ASK -- WHY DO I FEEL GUILTY?

IS GOD ABOUT RULES OR IS GOD ABOUT LOVE?

WHAT IS GRACE?

HOW DOES IT MANIFEST ITSELF IN MY LIFE?

>> Reporter: THROUGH HIS BIBLE STUDIES, LUTHER CAME TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WERE JUSTIFIED, OR MADE RIGHT, BEFORE GOD, NOT THROUGH GOOD WORKS OR THE SACRAMENTS, BUT SOLELY THROUGH THEIR FAITH AND GOD'S GRACE.

LUTHER EMBRACED THE IDEA THAT THE BIBLE ALONE IS THE ULTIMATE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY, NOT THE POPE OR THE CHURCH AS HE HAD BEEN TAUGHT.

IN 1512, LUTHER WAS SENT TO TEACH AT WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY.

HE BECAME DISTURBED BY REPORTS THAT A DOMINICAN FRIAR WAS TAKING LARGE PAYMENTS FOR GRANTING INDULGENCES, OR RELEASES FROM PUNISHMENT FOR SINS.

ON OCTOBER 31, 1517, LUTHER RELEASED A LIST OF 95 THESES, ARGUMENTS AGAINST WHAT HE SAW AS THIS ABUSE OF CHURCH PRACTICE.

ACCORDING TO TRADITION, LUTHER NAILED HIS THESES ON THE DOOR OF WITTENBERG'S CASTLE CHURCH.

THERE IS NO RECORD OF THAT, SO SOME HISTORIANS DEBATE WHETHER IT REALLY HAPPENED.

AT THE TIME, IT WAS COMMON FOR SCHOLARS TO POST THEIR DEBATE POINTS ON THE DOOR WHERE PEOPLE COULD READ THEM.

>> IT WAS A SIMPLE ACT WHICH WASN'T WORTH TO WRITE DOWN.

SO PROBABLY IT HAPPENED, BUT NO ONE TOOK NOTICE AT THE TIME.

AND PROBABLY THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO SEE THAT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION WHETHER HE NAILED IT OR NOT.

>> Reporter: COPIES OF LUTHER'S THESES AND HIS FIERY FOLLOW-UP SERMONS WERE MASS PRODUCED ON A RELATIVELY NEW INVENTION, THE MOVEABLE TYPE PRINTING PRESS.

>> SO THIS WAS THE POINT WHERE MARTIN LUTHER'S IDEAS SPREAD QUITE OPENLY IN GERMANY, AND THIS WAS THE POINT WHERE HE BECAME KIND OF A SUPERSTAR.

>> Reporter: LUTHER PUBLICLY QUESTIONED THE AUTHORITY OF CHURCH OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE POPE.

THE CHURCH DEMANDED THAT HE STOP, BUT HE REFUSED TO RECANT.

IN 1521, HE WAS DECLARED A "CONVICTED HERETIC."

>> THERE HAD BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT ABUSES FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, AND PROBABLY ALWAYS WILL BE TO SOME DEGREE.

BUT THE THEOLOGICAL DEBATES ABOUT THE NATURE OF SALVATION, THE NATURE OF FAITH AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, THOSE PROVED TO BE MUCH HARDER TO RESOLVE.

>> Reporter: LUTHER TOOK REFUGE IN THE WARTBURG CASTLE FOR TEN MONTHS.

THERE, HE TRANSLATED THE NEW TESTAMENT INTO EVERYDAY GERMAN AND ALSO CREATED CHURCH SERVICES IN GERMAN, RATHER THAN LATIN, SO LAY PEOPLE COULD UNDERSTAND.

SOON, REFORMATION IDEAS BECAME A POPULAR GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT.

IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, TENSIONS BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND REFORMERS ESCALATED, OFTEN TO THE POINT OF VIOLENCE AND OUTRIGHT WAR.

>> IN FRANCE AND GERMANY ESPECIALLY, YOU HAD REALLY, WHAT ONE HISTORIAN CALLS "THEOLOGICAL ROAD RAGE."

THE RULES OF WAR BROKE DOWN AND YOU HAD RIOTS, PEOPLE STORMING PROTESTANT, OR ON THE OTHER SIDE CATHOLIC HOUSES AND KILLING EVERYONE INSIDE.

>> Reporter: PROTESTANT LEADERS TODAY SAY THE REFORMATION GAVE THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDINGS THAT STILL DEFINE THEIR TRADITION.

REVEREND JOHANNES BLOCK IS PASTOR OF WITTENBERG'S EVANGELICAL CITY AND PARISH CHURCH, WHERE LUTHER PREACHED MORE THAN 2,000 SERMONS.

>> THE REFORMATION SAID, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF.

EVERYBODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS FAITH.

IT'S A STEP OF DEMOCRACY.

EVERYBODY IS EQUAL IN THE CHURCH.

>> I, FOR EXAMPLE, COULD NOT LEAD A CHURCH BEFORE THE REFORMATION.

AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET HERE, BUT IT WAS A SHIFT LIKE THAT THAT OPENED THE CHURCH TO DIFFERENT WAYS OF UNDERSTANDING THE EXPRESSION OF OUR FAITH.

AND THAT'S VERY VALUABLE FOR US AS CHRISTIANS.

>> Reporter: LUTHER MAY NOT HAVE SET OUT TO CREATE A SCHISM, BUT THE REFORMATION LED TO THOUSANDS OF DIVISIONS.

THERE ARE NOW NEARLY 45,000 PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING MAINLINE PROTESTANTS, ANGLICANS, EVANGELICALS, PENTECOSTALS AND MORE.

IN RECENT DECADES, RELATIONS BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS HAVE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.

THAT WAS CLEAR LAST FALL WHEN POPE FRANCIS TRAVELED TO SWEDEN TO HELP PROTESTANT LEADERS LAUNCH COMMEMORATIONS OF THIS REFORMATION ANNIVERSARY.

>> CERTAINLY 100 YEARS AGO, 50 YEARS AGO, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE.

NOW, THERE WAS CAREFUL WORD CHOICE HERE, THE WORD WAS COMMEMORATE, NOT CELEBRATE.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS CAREFULLY AVOIDED TALKING ABOUT CELEBRATING THE REFORMATION.

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN, IN ANY KIND OF TALK OF A JOINT CATHOLIC-PROTESTANT COMMEMORATION, NOTIONS OF REPENTANCE.

BOTH SIDES HAVE THINGS TO REPENT.

>> Reporter: PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS ALIKE SAY THEY WERE MOVED BY THE SWEDEN MEETING.

>> FOR ME, IT TOUCHED ME A LOT BECAUSE IT'S THE HEALING OF MEMORIES.

THAT'S ALSO A MAIN POINT WHY THIS ANNIVERSARY IS SO IMPORTANT, WE'RE HEALING MEMORIES.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER PAINFUL MEMORY IS LUTHER'S ANTI-SEMITISM.

HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT JEWS DIDN'T CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY WHOLESALE BECAUSE OF HIS TEACHINGS.

HE CONDEMNED THEM IN EXTREMELY HARSH LANGUAGE.

ADOLF HITLER USED SOME OF LUTHER'S WRITINGS TO JUSTIFY EXTERMINATING JEWS.

CHURCH LEADERS ACKNOWLEDGE, AND DENOUNCE, WHAT SOME CALL LUTHER'S "DARK SIDE."

>> WE HOPE TO CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY WITHOUT HIDING THE PROBLEMATIC SIDE OR THE DARK SIDE OF MARTIN LUTHER.

WE SEE THIS PROBLEM AND WE TALK ABOUT IT AND WE ARE VERY OPEN.

BUT IT'S ONLY ONE SIDE OF MARTIN LUTHER.

>> Reporter: MANY CHRISTIAN LEADERS SEE THIS ANNIVERSARY AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR FAITH.

>> WHAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR MARTIN LUTHER AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AND OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD TODAY?

AND HOW IMPORTANT FOR US IS THE QUESTION OF GRACE?

>> IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS, AND WHAT I THINK LUTHER WOULD WANT, WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN GOOD NEWS?

WHAT'S THE GOSPEL?

THAT'S WHAT LUTHER CARED ABOUT.

PUSH CAME TO SHOVE, LUTHER DIDN'T CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT REFORMING STRUCTURES.

WHAT HE CARED ABOUT -- HE WAS A PROFESSOR.

HE CARED ABOUT GETTING THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE STRAIGHT.

>> WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT REALLY, REALLY ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR FAITH?

AND SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE OUR WORK IN THE YEARS AHEAD AS CHRISTIANITY WORKS TO BECOME CONVERSANT WITH THE CULTURE AROUND US.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE INCREASINGLY ASKING WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?

>> Reporter: AND INDEED, IN GERMANY AND AROUND THE WORLD, MANY CHURCH LEADERS SAY THIS 500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE FUTURE AS IT IS ABOUT THE PAST.

I'M KIM LAWTON IN WITTENBERG.

>>> FINALLY THIS SUPER BOWL WEEKEND, THE PERENNIAL QUESTION -- DOES PRAYING FOR THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME WORK?

ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL FROM THE PUBLIC RELIGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 25% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE GOD PLAYS A ROLE IN DETERMINING WHICH TEAM WINS.

ALMOST HALF BELIEVE GOD REWARDS DEVOUT ATHLETES WITH SUCCESS AND GOOD HEALTH.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

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JOIN US AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.

AS WE LEAVE YOU, THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE AS SUNG AT SOUTHSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN TUCSON, ARIZONA.

♪♪NT COMPANY.