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Protestantism has a natural evolutionary capacity because it's based on a personal relationship with God, allowing new sects to form easily. In contrast, Catholicism requires centralized approval from the papacy for shifts, which limits its flexibility.
The Catholic Church stands with Confucian China as two organizations that have persisted for 2,000 years. Both were created by a ruling class based on moral principles and have lasted due to their adherence to these principles and sacred texts.
Constantine's conversion to Christianity in the early 4th century marked a pivotal moment in history. Before this, Christianity was the religion of about 10% of the Roman Empire's population and was brutally oppressed. Constantine's embrace of Christianity may have been a turning point that led to its dominance in the Roman Empire.
Christianity's decline is inversely correlated with the rise of government bureaucracy, as Western values of freedom are under attack, weakening protections against bureaucracy.
The Catholic Church positioned itself against modernity, and as modernity proved impressive, people began to see the Church as outdated. This irony lies in the fact that modernity itself emerged from Christianity.
The Catholic Church's continuity is remarkable, especially considering the logistical challenges it faced in maintaining tradition and civilization through fragile communication networks in the past.
Christianity is growing in places where it is suppressed, like China and Iran, showing that suppression can lead to flourishing faith.
In the High Middle Ages, the Catholic Church's influence was so pervasive in Western Europe that it shaped the very identity of its people. They identified first as Christians rather than Europeans, and this religious framework influenced everything from science to ethics.
Catholicism's competitive advantage lies in its deep, holistic tradition, including cosmology, internal structure, and mystic traditions, which surpass those of Protestantism.
Ruslan KD suggests that the revival of Christianity is partly due to people seeking truth and light in a world filled with darkness and confusion.