I see the Catholic vs. Protestant separation as a division among people and their interpretations. Christianity did not change much because of this. There are around 38,000 Christian denominations. I see this as falling into my category #2 in post #82. Even Spong’s interpretation. It is his interpretation not that of Christianity again, # 2.
The texts are the similar despite the tizzy-fit over minor differences over the years (Catholic bible has 73 books while the Protestant 66). The 10 Commandments are essentially the same, the Nicene Creed didn’t change nor did the future prophecies for the end times apocalypse, Armageddon.
Jesus has had a number of moderate things supposedly said by him. I have yet to see anything proven to be authentic. And where is the evidence within the texts demonstrating that God or Jesus desire a moderate, democratic Christianity? It is nowhere to be found.
Also, the future prophetic predictions haven’t changed as Christians still look forward to the destruction of 2/3rds of the human population - i.e. NON-BELIEVERS, in Revelation. I fail to see any moderation or democracy in that. The millions of “Left Behind” readers get excited when they discuss the horrible things that are going to happen to us. How moderate is that?
“Ever since Christ’s death, many Christians have been expecting the second coming in their immediate future. Most believe that Christ will not actually land or stay on earth at this time; the “real” second coming will occur later, when he returns on a horse leading an army on horseback who will exterminate one third of the earth’s population in a massive genocide. It will be numerically the largest mass extermination of humans in history.” http://www.religioustolerance.org/rapture.htm
Eventually 2/3rds of the human population i.e. NON-believers are to be wiped out.
And 44% of Christians are looking forward to this as a glorious time. Even the religious tolerance website says, “It will be numerically the largest mass extermination of humans in history.”
I can see that PEOPLE and society have desired a moderate, democratic Christianity or society but the religious texts hold them back. The totalitarianism of religious absolutes chokes progress.