Influence of the Reformation on wellbeing of Catholic states in Europe converting to Protestantism

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Oct. 15, 2019 - PRLog -- Christianity is the foundation of our Western Society. However, some deny its historical and current benefits.

Teleios Research evaluated societal measures in the European Catholic states converting to Protestantism during the Reformation, testing the hypothesis that living in a more biblically based society improved potential measures for wellbeing. There were 29 European territories evaluated between the years 1323-1772, with a modified P value due to multiple tests in the analysis (P<0.017).

Religious tolerance increased following conversion to a Protestant country or duchy (P<0.0001). Further, the Bible became available in the vernacular language in each case where it previously was limited to the Latin vulgate (P<0.0001).

There was no difference in the church's authority over secular affairs as frequently power was shared between the state and religious organization (P=0.49), and no differences in the extent of land managed by the church changed after the Reformation (P=0.337).

Teleios found a borderline increase in the number of restrictions on countries' leaders (P =0.048), but no difference in the existence of a bureaucracy to support the government (P=1.00), the existence of diplomacy (P=0.42) or voting rights (P=0.45).

The church had reduced influence in provoking war after a state became Protestant (P=0.001). Further, primary (P=0.001) and secondary education (P=0.015) became much more prevalent following conversion to Protestantism education.

Dr. William C, Stewart, co-founder of Teleios, commented "These compelling data indicate that countries and duchies in Europe that converted to Protestantism from Catholicism during the Reformation provided additional benefits to their society that may have improved wellbeing and enhanced the progression of these countries generally to our modern free societies."

He added, "The great freedoms available in the first world today, as shown by this and other Teleios research, may potentially be related to biblically based concepts recognizing the importance of the individual as well as the government's responsibility to God to create an honest and orderly environment."

This study suggests that countries and duchies in Europe that converted to Protestantism from Catholicism during the Reformation provided additional benefits to their society that may have improved wellbeing, including greater religious and educational freedom.

Other findings from Teleios Research are on their website (http://www.teleiosresearch.com/).

WC Stewart, SA Sanders, JA Stewart, LA Nelson

About Teleios - Teleios is a non-profit foundation that seeks to demonstrate the truth of scripture and the Christian faith through scientific methods by providing evidence for the positive results of a biblically-based lifestyle. Prior studies conducted by Teleios have shown that the practice of the Christian faith (praise, prayer, fellowship, service and Bible study) and security of salvation increases well-being while reducing guilt.