What makes Müntzer a figure worthy of our attention in the modern era? Simply this: that his understanding of the relationship between established religion, secular authority and social injustice obliged him to stand up and fight for the overthrow of all three, despite the massive forces which were stacked against him. He had that enormous courage required to fight for a seemingly impossible future. Against those who merely attempted to reform one aspect of society - the Church - he recognised that society's very basis was corrupt and that it had to be completely replaced. In real terms, he perhaps did not achieve much; but he saw beyond the present and aimed for the future. Read his words again - their relevance has not aged:
Look: the origin of usury, theft and robbery lies with our lords and princes, who treat all creatures as their own: the fish in the water, the birds in the air, the plants on the earth everything must be theirs. And on top of that, they then proclaim God's commandments to the poor and say: God has commanded that you shall not steal. But of course that does not apply to themselves. For they oppress everyone, flaying and fleecing them all, the poor peasant, the work man and all who live. But if any poor person commits the smallest crime then he must hang. And to this Doctor Liar says: Amen. It is the lords themselves who make the poor a man their enemy. They refuse to remove the causes of rebellion, so how can it turn out well in the long run? And if these words make me a rabble-rouser - then so be it!
