October 25, 2004

More crap from Germany

Posted by pete at October 25, 2004 12:47 AM

The BBC has the latest poop on Martin Luther and the Reformation:

Archaeologists in Germany say they may have found a lavatory where Martin Luther launched the Reformation of the Christian church in the 16th Century. The stone room is in a newly-unearthed annex to Luther's house in Wittenberg.

Luther is quoted as saying he was "in cloaca", or in the sewer, when he was inspired to argue that salvation is granted because of faith, not deeds.

The scholar suffered from constipation and spent many hours in contemplation on the toilet seat.

I've written before about the German obsession with the bowels, so I imagine the scientific community over there is - you'll forgive the expression - shitting themselves with delight.

The lavatory was built in the period 1516-17, according to Dr Martin Treu, a theologian and Luther expert based in Wittenberg.

"What we have found here is something very rare," he told BBC News Online, describing how most buildings preserved from that era tend to have served a grander function.

The toilet is in a niche set inside a room measuring nine by nine metres, which was discovered during the excavation of a garden in the grounds of Luther's house.

Dr Treu said there can be little doubt the toilet was used by Luther, the radical theologian who argued for a more "earthy Christianity", which regarded the entire human body - and not just the soul - as God's creation.

Not much I can add to that...

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to nail up a few theses of my own, in a matter of speaking.

Make sure to wipe your tract afterwards.

--Posted by HWRNMNBSOL on October 25, 2004 8:47 AM

So was "ninety-five feces" too obvious?

--Posted by Michael on October 25, 2004 10:49 AM

Dang! Michael beat me to it.

--Posted by Steve on October 25, 2004 12:02 PM

I'm simply in awe of a 243 square foot bathroom.

--Posted by Scott Chaffin on October 25, 2004 1:41 PM

Oh Man, Pete! My husband spends half his life (statistical fact) in the "library". Now he has the ennobling tale of a constipated philosopher he can point to when I ask him for the third time that day," You're not going again, are you?" That's all he needs, a champion for his cause. Thanks a lot, Pete.

--Posted by BabyJane on October 26, 2004 1:47 AM



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