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Why did Protestantism die out in Europe but Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy is still doing fine?
Many of the historically Protestant countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, UK, etc. are now very irreligious countries but historically Catholic countries like Italy and Spain and historically Eastern Orthodox countries like Greece and Ukraine are still very Christian (even though their Church attendance rates aren't very high). Even the Catholic minorities in the Protestant countries I mentioned are still observant to the point where they outnumbered the Protestants in countries like the Netherlands and a few others. The only historically Catholic and Orthodox countries I can think of that are now quite irreligious are France and Russia respectively.
What caused this divergence? Was it the focus on individual spirituality in Protestantism or was it pure coincidence not based on Theology?
8 Answers
- ?Lv 79 months agoFavorite Answer
Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity are based upon the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels and the traditions of the Church. (We were going for 50 years before the Gospels were written). Protestantism rejects the Magisterium of the Church and instead relies upon the Bible (including most of the Old Testament) as the revelation of God's will. Since Bible reading is subjective, Protestantism has split into a large number of little sects each with their own interpretation of the Bible - and some incorporating non-biblical notions such as young Earth Creationism and the rapture. Societies which are traditionally Catholic or Orthodox have their religion ingrained in their culture. Those societies who rejected the traditional authority of the Church have found that they have thrown out the baby with the bathwater.
- 9 months ago
Where did you get your 'facts' from? I would sue them for false news.
- Annsan_In_HimLv 79 months ago
There are millions of active Protestants all over Europe today. What are you on about? Who is telling you such nonsense? And don't you know that supposedly 'Catholic' countries like Italy are actually secularist countries? Nominal Christianity is the order of the day in Europe, except for among the Protestants, where that is the exception. It's a huge mistake to assume that lesser numbers of Protestants must equate with "dying out". Consider quality, not quantity!
- 9 months ago
Without a valid source, your premise is suspect and your question is then fraudulent
- Anonymous9 months ago
Because Protestantism teaches false beliefs like the rapture. The rapture was unheard of before the 1800's. And because Catholicism was always part of Christianity which makes sense since most Christians are Catholic.
- Anonymous9 months ago
I've been to the "catholic and orthodox countries". Their cathedrals sit empty. Catholic and orthodox both lead to hell because they teach works for salvation, so get away from both of those. And the word "protestant" is meaningless. You need truth. Here is the truth: The Lord Jesus Christ is God. Nobody can be good enough to avoid hell. The truth is that death leads to immediate heaven or hell, depending only on whether the person believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, or not. The truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ loves you and wants to bless your life freely :) Most of all, Jesus wants you with Him forever, and not in hell.
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Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ means being forgiven all sins past and future and means going to heaven. The truth is that every belief except one will lead to eternal torment in the lake of fire for every person. Because nothing pays for our sins except the death and blood of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus that is already accomplished by Him . Jesus loves you! The truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus died on the cross to pay for all of our sins in full, and then Jesus was buried, and then Jesus resurrected from the dead. Nothing else pays for our sins, not works, not deeds, not religions. So the only way to heaven and to avoid hell, is by believing on Jesus for eternal life (John 6:47), without adding any of your own works (Romans 4:5). Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to take you to heaven, and you will be in heaven, no matter what, guaranteed. That easy, thanks to Jesus! Tell Jesus that you thank Him that you will be with Him in heaven
- Anonymous9 months ago
NONE OF THEM WILL BE NEEDED WHEN RAPTURE COMES!!! THEN TRIBULATION WILL HAPPEN FOR 7 YRS..