Religious Authority and Civilizational Development: A Comparative Analysis of the Sunni–Shia and Catholic–Protestant Divides
Abstract
Major religious schisms often emerge during periods of institutional transformation within civilizations. This article examines two of the most consequential religious divides in world history—the Sunni–Shia split in Islam and the Catholic–Protestant divide in Christianity—through a developmental framework that integrates cultural psychology and civilizational analysis. The paper proposes that these conflicts reflect recurring structural tensions surrounding the legitimacy and organization of religious authority. Drawing on a five-stage model of emotional and moral civilization, the analysis suggests that authority conflicts frequently arise when unified religious communities transition from centralized leadership to competing institutional interpretations. Comparative examination of historical cases indicates that sectarian divisions often become embedded in collective identity and political legitimacy, shaping civilizational trajectories for centuries. At the same time, the evolution of pluralistic institutions may reduce the intensity of sectarian conflict by enabling societies to accommodate religious diversity within broader political frameworks. The article concludes by outlining testable hypotheses and limitations of the developmental model, highlighting directions for future interdisciplinary research on the relationship between religious authority, civilizational development, and pluralistic coexistence.