☆ Myth of Protestant Superiority

SHATTERING THE PROTESTANT ILLUSION: The Myths That Undid Divinity

An In-Depth Catholic look at Rodney Stark’s “Reformation Myths”

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🟥 INTRODUCTION:

Rodney Stark’s work, "Reformation Myths," boldly contests the widely propagandized narrative that the protestant reformation was the dawn of light after the Catholic, “Dark Ages.” 

But behind these so-called “liberating reforms” lie many distortions, promoted by protestants themselves — half-truths, political motives, and theological ruptures that reshaped the Western world, often at great spiritual and cultural cost.

The real truth is protestants simply must attempt to invalidate The Church, in order to validate themselves and their abandonment of The Church. That's basic psychology.

This analysis does not merely defend Catholic legacy, as you might think. No, it dismantles the ideological scaffolding that props up false reformation triumphalism, and it reclaims the true story of the Church’s unmatched contributions to civilization, liberty, science, education, economics, and human dignity.

You may not want to hear this, or accept it, but as they say nowadays..."it is, what it is."

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🔵 MYTH #1: The Reformation Gave Birth to Democracy and Liberty

THE PROPAGANDA: Luther and Calvin awakened the conscience of man, liberating Europe from monarchy and tyranny.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

🟦 The Catholic Defense of Ordered Freedom

Catholic theology recognizes both the dignity of the individual and the authority of the common good.

Gaudium et Spes teaches that true liberty is “freedom from slavery to sin and to self” (GS §17).

The Church upheld subsidiarity long before modern democracy emerged (cf. Rerum Novarum, Leo XIII).

🟦 Historical Truths Hidden:

Catholic republics and assemblies existed long before Luther (e.g., the Cortes in Spain, 12th century; the Polish Sejm).

Protestant Geneva under Calvin imposed religious uniformity via theocratic control, tyranny, and surveillance. The Calvinist pogroms and thuggery against Catholics are famously NOT Christian,or unifying.

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “For freedom Christ has set us free…do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” (Gal 5:1,13).

“Let every person be subject to governing authorities…” (Rom 13:1) – stressing order, not rebellion.

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🟢 MYTH #2: Only Protestantism Sanctified Hard Work and Birthed Capitalism

THE PROPAGANDA: The, “protestant work ethic” inspired thrift, diligence, and entrepreneurship, giving rise to modern economies. Without protestantism, it is wrongly believed, man would have reverted to the stone ages. 

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

🟩 Catholic Labor Vision:

St. Benedict’s Ora et Labora emphasized labor as prayer.

The Church blessed vocations of all kinds, understanding them as ways to glorify God.

Laborem Exercens (JP II) reasserted that labor is participation in God’s creative power.

🟩 Pre-Protestant Economic Innovations:

The Medici banking dynasty, Catholic trade guilds, and the commercial revolutions in Catholic Italy, France, and Spain far predated Luther.

St. Bernardino of Siena preached economic ethics in the 15th century—centuries before Max Weber’s theories.

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Col 3:23).

“You shall not defraud your neighbor, nor rob him...” (Lev 19:13) — ethical labor was always sacred.

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🔴 MYTH #3: The Reformation Sparked Mass Literacy and Public Education

THE PROPAGANDA: Bible translation into vernacular languages and protestant schools drove literacy and public education.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

🟥 Catholic Pioneers in Learning:

The University of Paris, Oxford, Salamanca, and Bologna were founded by the Church for the advancement of sacred and secular learning.

Before Luther, cathedral schools taught the trivium and quadrivium across Europe.

🟥 The Jesuit Educational Revolution:

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) established over 800 schools, colleges, and universities by 1773—including in China, the Philippines, and Latin America.

The Ratio Studiorum (1599) systematized the most effective education method in the West.

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6).

“Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Prov 22:6).

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🟣 MYTH #4: Protestants Enabled Modern Science by breaking, "the chains" of The Church.

THE PROPAGANDA: Science flourished when the Reformation freed minds from dogma and superstition.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

🟪 Medieval Catholic Scientific Foundations:

Catholic clergy like Roger Bacon, Albert the Great, and Jean Buridan developed early scientific method.

Copernicus, a Catholic canon, published heliocentrism not in opposition to the Church but under its patronage.

🟪 Catholic Scientists Ignored:

Gregor Mendel (genetics), Fr. Georges Lemaître (Big Bang Theory), and Benedictine monks in metallurgy and astronomy.

🟪 Modern Scientific Institutions:

The Vatican Observatory (1582) continues to be one of the oldest active research institutions in the world.

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “The heavens declare the glory of God…” (Ps 19:1).

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” (Prov 25:2)

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🟡 MYTH #5: Protestants Practiced Superior Charity and Social Compassion

THE PROPAGANDA: Protestant ethics led to better care for the poor and more effective almsgiving than Catholic systems.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

🟨 Longstanding Catholic Charities:

Medieval hospitals, orphanages, and hospices (e.g., Hospitallers of St. John, Order of Mercy, St. Elizabeth of Hungary) were Catholic institutions.

The Franciscans and Dominicans took vows of poverty and served lepers, widows, and the dying.

🟨 Post-Reformation Catholic Response:

St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac established hospitals, shelters, and the Daughters of Charity—a revolutionary lay religious model.

To this day The Church is the worlds largest single charitable entity. She continues her global charity efforts long after "protestant"nations became secularized.

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me” (Matt 25:40).

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed… what good is it?” (James 2:15–16)

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⚫ MYTH #6: The Reformation Was Just A Theological Disagreement

THE PROPAGANDA: Luther’s protest was spiritual—not political or cultural—and meant only to purify the Church.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

⚫ Complex Context:

The reformation was fueled by economic grievances, nationalistic resentment, and printing press propaganda.

Luther allied with German princes, who used him and his, "movement" to consolidate theor own power. Once his upheaval began, they seized Church lands and killed Catholic peasants during the Peasants' War (1524–25). He was a patsy for their ambition, and without them, it is unlikely that he would have succeeded.

⚫ Doctrinal Schism and Fragmentation:

One so-called "reform" led to 45,000+ protestant denominations, each claiming their version of truth. There has been nothing but Christian fracturing, and infighting - in the name of Jesus.

“God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor 14:33) — disunity contradicts the call to “one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5).

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “That they may all be one, Father…so that the world may believe” (John 17:21).

“Hold fast to the traditions… whether by word or letter” (2 Thess 2:15).

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⚪ MYTH #7: The Catholic Church Opposed the Printing Press and Progress

THE PROPAGANDA: Rome feared the Bible and new ideas—so it suppressed the printing revolution.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

⚪ Printing as Evangelization Tool:

The first book to come off Gutenberg’s printing press? A commisioned first printing of the Catholic Bible, The Vulgate. Only much later ( a century, give or take), after Luther edited his version of the Bible, did that and other protestant tracts come off printing presses

Catholic printers produced missals, catechisms, and Latin classics en masse before Luthers rebellion in 1517.

⚪ Responsible Oversight vs. Censorship:

The, "Index of Forbidden Books" is often thrown arou d as prepf that The Church was trying to suppress knowledge. Again this is more ignorance. In point of fact, thos list was a protection against heretical confusion in an age of mass illiteracy.

Those who COULD read had great influence over the minds of those masses who could not. The Church wishedto prevent non-divine, and corrupted teachings to be presented to the people as fact. 

Bishops encouraged publications through Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat, ensuring apostolic orthodoxy, without banning free inquiry.

📖 Biblical Foundation:

> “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess 5:21).

“The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov 12:18).

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⚠️ MYTH #8: The Reformation Was an Inevitable and Providential Event in Christian History

THE PROPAGANDA: The Reformation was destined to happen—inevitable, even ordained by God—to correct the errors of a corrupt Catholic Church.

CATHOLIC EXPOSÉ:

⚠️ Misunderstanding of Divine Providence:

The notion that schism, splintering, belligerance, violence and abandonment of Christs only Church was, "God's will" is near to blasphemy. The whole idea that God wanted and waited until protestants came along to straighten out His plan is ludicrous. It is based in nothing but human pride, and it wildly misinterprets the promotion of division over redemption as being Divine Providence.

God can bring good out of error and evil (cf. Gen 50:20), of course, but that does not mean they are automatically  willed by God, to satisfy one's pwn interpretations and error!

The reformation was not a purification, at all...thats protestant propaganda, spun out by protestants, to justify themselves. 

Rather, it was a fracturing shift — one that generated over 45,000+ self-styled sects to date, each claiming contradictory truths....and that each is The One True Faith.

We might also add that each likewise invokes at least disfain - of not dishust and often outright hatred - of the only Church Christ Himself ever started. Calling THAT, "Christian," is a gross aberration of Christ's saving mission. 

⚠️ The Church Is Always Capable of Reform—From Within:

True reform comes through saints at all stations of life, not via revolts.

Examples:

St. Catherine of Siena called for reform and the Pope's return to Rome with prophetic humility—not rebellion.

St. Francis of Assisi revitalized the Church’s soul through poverty and charity, not doctrine-splitting.

There were reforms already underway when Luther jumped ship and took his nun wife with him. Then,....

The Council of Trent (1545–1563) once and for all addressed abuses, renewed catechesis, clarified doctrine, and established the Counter-Reformation—all from within the Church, not outside of it. 

To inject a modicum of fairness here, Luther did approach the Holy See to insist that his demands for change be met. However, he was rebuffed, and told to get back to his vows. So he did what any hot-headed rebel would do - he took off on his own tangent.

He also called for the forceful ejection of all Jews in Europe, and the seizure of their property - he was keenly anti-semetic. So to hold him up as a model of virtue is just more propaganda.

But that's for another article....

⚠️ Human Freedom and Sin Played a Role:

The split was driven not only by concerns over indulgences* but also by:

Nationalistic politics (German princes seizing Church lands and welth for themselves)

Personal pride (Luther’s refusal to recant even before Emperor and Church). There was no way he would just "let go" and work from within.

The misuse of the printing press to fuel popular resentment.

*It should be mentioned that the sale of indulgences, aka, simony, was an abuse. Yet the proceeds of these indulgences were, in the main, used for the construction of Catholic Churches, monasteries, convents, etc....in short, for the promotion and continuation of Christs Church and His faith.

⚠️ Providence Allows, But Does Not Necessitate Division:

God permits human pride, human error and human disobedience - but that does not mean He condones it.

And it doesn't mean he INTENDS for it to occur, so that one might go in ones own direction. That's just a stretch of human pride at work.

Even Judas Iscariot fulfilled prophecy (cf. Ps 41:9, John 13:18), but it doesn't mean he was pre-destined to betray—he chose it freely (cf. CCC §600).

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📖 BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS:

> “I appeal to you… that there be no divisions among you… but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” — 1 Corinthians 1:10

> “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” — Mark 3:25

> “Woe to the world because of temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” — Matthew 18:7

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🧩 CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES CLARIFIED:

🟢 Unity is Willed by Christ – John 17:21

🟢 The Church is Holy, Even If Sinners May Be Present – CCC §827

🟢 Reform is Constant and Ongoing, Not Catastrophic – Ecclesia semper reformanda est ("The Church is always to be reformed")

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✝️ INSPIRING COUNTER-EXAMPLES FROM CHURCH HISTORY:

St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuits) responded to Protestantism not with rage but with education, discipline, and spiritual warfare via the Spiritual Exercises.

St. Charles Borromeo reformed seminaries and episcopal life after Trent—he did not need to start his own bersion of a church to do it.

St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross renewed mystical theology from within the Carmelite tradition, showing that deep reform never demands rupture.

The lesson: Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater....and trust God to lead the way to reform in His time.

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⚡ WHY THIS PARTICULAR MYTH IS DANGEROUSLY ENTRENCHED:

Many secular historians and protestant thinkers see the reformation as some kind of heroic break from darkness, a "Second Pentecost," where purity was restored.

Pf xourse anyone who spends even a little time studying the results of the reformation through history knows that is bogus...more protestant propaganda. 

By portraying the reformation as “inevitable,” and Gods design, they silence the real tragedies: millions dead in religious wars, souls confused by doctrinal disunity, and centuries of mutual, even wilful, hostility.

We are supposed to think God wanted that?

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✅ THE CATHOLIC ALTERNATIVE: Reform Without Schism

Authentic reform is:

🔹 Rooted in fidelity to Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition (2 Thess 2:15)

🔹 Guided by the magisterium, not personal interpretation

🔹 Inspired by humility, penance, and charity—not revolt or pride

🔹 In the service of the whole Body of Christ, not fragmented factions

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🔚 FINAL WORD ON THIS MYTH:

The reformation was not history’s inevitable course. It was a grave wound in the Body of Christ—a wound God can heal, but never desired.

Just as God brings resurrection from the cross, He brings hope from division. But the original crucifixion was still sin, and so was the theological carnage of 16th-century Europe.

> “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism…” — Ephesians 4:4–5

Let no myth ever replace the clarity of that call.

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⚔️ BLINDSPOTS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH MUST CONFRONT

🟥 Clerical corruption and abuses—selling pf indulgences, simony, and lax discipline—sparked legitimate outrage. That's a given.

🟨 Overreaction in the post-reformation period — a few Catholic leaders became rigid or nationalistic, stifling reform movements.

🟩 Need for constant renewal—Vatican II affirmed that “the Church is always in need of purification” (Lumen Gentium, §8).

🟦 Ecumenism without Compromise—Pursue unity through truth, not nominalism and relativism (cf. Ut Unum Sint, John Paul II).

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✝️ CONCLUSION:

Rodney Stark’s dissection of reformation myths cracks open the door of protestantisms insistent propaganda about itself...

..then, Catholic truth flings it wide. 

The reformation was neither a spiritual revival nor a cultural miracle—it was a rupture born of pride, power, and partial truths. 

Again, to be fair, protestantism undoubtedly introduced some valuable emphases (e.g., personal prayer, Scripture access). And there are many, many, many fine and spiritual people among its legion sects. However, its legacy must be viewed and acknowledged with sobriety.

That's the point... The Catholic Church cannot - and does not - shirk its past. Yet that past does not detract one jot from its holiness.

Likewise protestantism, as a whole, cannot - and must not - avoid its distortions and propagandized view of itself...to make itself look holier-than-thou.

The Catholic Church, wounded but not destroyed, remains Christ’s Bride (Eph 5:25–27). And she continues—renewing, teaching, healing, and proclaiming the fullness of faith to a fragmented world.

> “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

— Matthew 16:18