Chesterton is just so good!
I am firmly convinced that the Reformation of the sixteenth century was
as near as any mortal thing can come to unmixed evil. Even the parts of
it that might appear plausible and enlightened from a purely secular
standpoint have turned out rotten and reactionary, also from a purely
secular standpoint. By substituting the Bible for the sacrament, it
created a pedantic caste of those who could read, superstitiously
identified with those who could think. By destroying the monks, it took
social work from the poor philanthropists who chose to deny themselves,
and gave it to the rich philanthropists who chose to assert themselves.
By preaching individualism while preserving inequality, it produced
modern capitalism. It destroyed the only league of nations that ever had
a chance. It produced the worst wars of nations that ever existed. It
produced the most efficient form of Protestantism, which is Prussia. And
it is producing the worst part of paganism, which is slavery. –G.K.
Chesterton
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