If people want to compete for leadership of a religious group, they can compete in piety. A chilling thought. Or funny.
It's unlikely that the organized religions will get more sectarian... or is it? I am not at all sure.
Mormons... are so strong, they can handle wealth, they are confident. I think it is because they are not bogged down by rules for equality, but have a firmly defined system of relative status and responsible command.
Enclave life becomes very tense, Even when they do elect a leader, the factions remain, with the threat of splitting off.
When we are reflecting on terrorism we can grieve for many things we do and have done.
Some scholars have been arguing that a civilizational clash between organized religions is the next step in human history.
Since 1970, relationships can be more volatile, jobs more ephemeral, geographical mobility more intensified, stability of marriage weaker.
Just in our lifetime our society has become looser and more private, it becomes extremely difficult to hold to any permanent commitment whatever, least of all to organized religion.
Any great organization can go through sectarian phases.
The history of the Church of Rome is a constant leakage of members into such breakaway cults, which go on splitting.
Hierarchy is is much reviled in the present day.
