source or opinion?
as to the definition I posted... just google “reformation definition” Merriam Webster is the source
If you are referring to my comments about the listed effects of the reformation being wrong, obviously that is opinion. It is based on 25 years study in the area. So it is very informed opinion. :-)
Dealing with everything said in that statement of effects would take a book which I don’t intend to write for an online forum. So I will only make a couple of quick points.
“Christian unity was shattered” - underlying assumption, Roman Catholics are Christian
“personal liberty in religion” - what is that even supposed to mean Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free
“rise of the modern secular state” the whole concept of a secular state is a book unto itself, and then another few books as to whether there has been a rise in that, and as to whether America fits into that, and then another theology PhD thesis to address The times of the gentiles in prophecy and the nature of the kingdoms ruling, and changes.
“capitalism as rugged individualism” - what is being said here? Capitalism is bad? Capitalism should be collective socialism? what is the point?
“loss of the cultural solidarity” - There has never been cultural solidarity on earth beyond that which was enforced by threats.
“founded on a common faith, that had shaped Western civilization for almost a millennium.” - That is fascinating. If you subtract a millennium (1000 years) from the reformation you end up in the sixth century, NOT THE FIRST. This is practically a tacit admission that Roman Catholicism is not the faith of Christ and the disciples. Maybe it is an inadvertent misstatement not really meaning to convey that, but ironic none the less. It seems to be implying however that the feudal shape of Western civilization under the horribly corrupt rule of the Roman Catholic Church during that millennia was a good thing that we should return to, or at least lament its loss. He might as well say, “I so miss the dark ages, please give me back feudalism and deny people the right to read God’s word again”
BTW: The primary reason literacy in colonial New England was much higher than todays nationwide average, was because it was profoundly important to them to have their children be able to read God’s word. I.e. The Roman Catholic Church greatly hindered literacy by forbidding the reading of God’s word.