"He simply argued that the peddling of pardons like Colosseum souvenirs trivialized sin by debasing the contrition."
Does this mean that by the Pope allowing indulgences society cares less about doing wrong?
Yes. By selling the pardons, the Church implied that sin wasn't important and didn't take seriously the sinners' repentance.
Oh, ok. Thanks!
You're welcome.
In order to understand the statement you provided, let's break it down and analyze its meaning.
The phrase "the peddling of pardons like Colosseum souvenirs" refers to the practice of selling indulgences, which were pardons for sins granted by the Catholic Church. During certain historical periods, indulgences were offered to believers as a way to reduce the punishment for their sins. This practice involved financial transactions, where people could essentially purchase their forgiveness or the forgiveness of their loved ones.
The term "trivialized sin" means that the act of buying and selling indulgences minimized the seriousness and significance of sins. In other words, it made sin seem less important or less meaningful.
The phrase "debasing the contrition" means that the selling of indulgences diminished the genuine repentance and remorse that should accompany the forgiveness of sins. Contrition refers to sincere regret and a genuine desire to make amends for one's wrongdoing. By engaging in the commercialization of pardons, the act of contrition was devalued or undermined.
Now, to address your question: Does the practice of allowing indulgences make society care less about doing wrong? The answer is subjective and depends on individual perspectives and beliefs. Some arguments could be made in favor of this point. For example, one might argue that the availability of indulgences might lead some individuals to believe that their sins can be easily absolved and therefore care less about their actions. On the other hand, others might argue that indulgences, when properly understood and applied, could actually encourage individuals to reflect on their actions and seek forgiveness.
It is worth noting that the sale of indulgences and the practices associated with them have been significantly reformed within the Catholic Church since the historical period when they were commonly sold. The Second Vatican Council, held in the early 1960s, introduced important changes to the Church's teachings on indulgences, emphasizing their non-monetary nature and focusing on the spiritual aspects of forgiveness.
Understanding historical context and the evolving nature of religious practices can help shed light on the impact and significance of indulgences throughout history.