Lutherans will celebrate Reformation Day at service
Many religious leaders write Halloween off as a secular holiday, but for members of the Lutheran church, the day carries special significance.
"On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 statements about the Christian faith (on the door of All Saints' Church in Germany)," said Ben Haupt, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gainesville.
"At that time, churches were selling these things called indulgences, which in some ways were a fundraiser for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The indulgences were being sold under the guise of being forgiveness for sins. The pope was guaranteeing that your sins would be forgiven if you bought those indulgences.
"Luther was appalled because he said forgiveness was free and it came through Jesus being on the cross. He said forgiveness wasn't something we could buy."
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