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So i know this could bring up some heated debate but i find this is a really interesting topic. i have already looked for other threads on it but found nothing. this was very much inspired by the son of Aragon timeline with the reformed Catholics of England and Denmark though with a twist for this.
the main question is what if the protestant reformation never really kicked off rather remaining a debate about reform of some of the church practices never really see such radicalization that both the Catholics and protestants saw.
POD:
i am thinking of two possibly three pods one is much less likely than the other so i will start with that first.
pod 1:
A theologian or priest in a similar manner of Luther or the like minded such as Calvin sees a need for change so proposes such a plan one that dictates the separation of church from governance. this ties into the view that kings are the appointed temporal rulers not the church however, this would be a two way street and the opposite applies to rulers to a certain degree as they would be expected to defend the church in their respective nation.
Pod 2:
we know that there have been times where the college has taken time to decide on a new pope in some cases years. so what if good old Julius holds on for a few more years so when he kicks it is right around the time Luther posts his arguments so with the pope dying just before the ball starts rolling the talk of reform stifles the elections leading to an inability to choose a successor so without a central authority there isn't really the protestants to demonize nor is there any central authority too act as an opposing force.
possible pod:
what if in a similar manner mentioned in the son of Aragon? the temporal princes begin trying too reform the church removing possibly "corrupt" monasteries?
i would assume that if a secularist option was proposed the princes would take it as it would allow them to cut a lot of the influence the pope has in their realm. removing a lot of their grievances they had and without a central authority to argue it much wouldn't stop it.
i believe that these early changes and reforms would break the back of a lot of arguments that the protestants made leading too few actual doctrinal changes and would ensure that neither side of the debate could radicalize. such as the counter reformation and the stifling of scientific funding the church regularly supported before the reformation.
if anybody got good ideas or disagree would love to hear and debate