The two kinds of religious exceptionalism are connected. Rather as in the economic sphere competing private companies tend to produce wealth and activity, whereas monopoly firms have the opposite effect, so in the religious sphere competing sects generate a ferment of activity and increased levels of belief, whereas state churches produce indifference.For your consideration.
The two kinds of religious exceptionalism are connected. Rather as in the economic sphere competing private companies tend to produce wealth and activity, whereas monopoly firms have the opposite effect, so in the religious sphere competing sects generate a ferment of activity and increased levels of belief, whereas state churches produce indifference....
...I have long thought there is usually more than mere contention in the many church schisms over the centuries. Just looking at American history, for example, from about 200 years ago, most church splits resulted in the departing faction "moving west", thereby not only helping to extend the American frontier, but also in spreading the gospel.
Current church contentions may be a bit more difficult to categorize, however, if only because here in America no visible frontier still exists. Further, whereas the American church once "led the world" in evangelism and forward thinking, it now brings up the rear, running ahead, so to speak, only of Western Europe. The strength of the church in the world now lies in Africa and the Far East, at least so far as I can tell. In fact, the South Korean Presbyterian Church has had official discussions about sending evangelists to the US in order to "convert the heathen". Some would say that they're too late...
Again, thanks for bringing my attention to this most interesting article.