This youngest of the three major branches of Christianity, is also the most diverse: allegedly splintered into 1200 sects, and more. However, being the midwife to modernity, it carries with it some really heavy clout.

Faith

Protestantism is the only branch of Trinity where some of its members are not fussed by the concept of Trinity, though those members are in minority (at least five American Presidents belonged to this monotheistic group).

Those who believe in Trinity tends to concentrate in the person of Jesus. They have become a more faith group, rather than a religion.

Shariah

In separating themselves from the diktats of the Roman Catholic Church, the early Protestant movements devised a new way to order their society – based on New Testament (rather than the interpretations of Catholic clergy) and emerging evidence from Natural History (that later came to be known as “Science”).

Using the evidence of Natural History, the Protestant scholarship has been instrumental in widening the horizons of humanity, and the present comforts we enjoy today.

I believe they are the fulfilment of God’s warning to Muslims (and Law-abiding people) who ceased seeking the Truth: God chooses no brands, only deeds and intentions.

However, the use of scientific evidence had an unintended consequence: the intrinsic value of New Testament became increasingly obsolete in day to day life of Protestant polity.

When the American Revolutionaries got rid of the British, they proclaimed a Constitution that confidently implied the lack of need of any help from God. Such an outcome was possible because individual Protestants were allowed to be de-organised: only personal faith and an individual notion of morality accounted for Christian belief.

Over the periods of coming decades, the Canon Law of American Protestants came under the wings of three branches of government: an elected executive (the President), the elected legislature (Congress and Senate) and an appointed judiciary (the Supreme Court).

IMPACT

Modernity

We and our modern world owe their comforts to the pains, both physical and emotional, suffered by many Protestant seekers of Truth.

Challenge to Religions

In jettisoning their own beliefs, the Protestant ethics have challenged the core beliefs of every branch of Christianity, and every religion of the world. Only the brave can tread such a path.

Wrestle with Morality

Winning the battle of material science, where even shades of grey can be quantified, was a relatively easy battle. The struggle against the abstract notions of morality – justice, equality, freedom, responsibility, sacrifice, etc – has been a tough one.

It is the lack of dialectic progress on this front that the Protestantism has lost its relevance. This also explains why it has splintered into so many sects.

The old religions, led by Islam, are raising their heads – scrambling to fill this vacuum. I hope and pray these rubbing of the shoulders will lead to solace for humanity’s soul.

—> Hinduism