Today's Christianity owes its survival to several factors...

Today's Christianity owes its survival to several factors: (a) the commencement in the 13th Century Renaissance lasting approximately 300 years, in which ordinary people demanded their rights to education, skills and cultural learning.

(b) The Seventy Years Captivity which commenced in 1305 with a French Pope, Clement V being crowned in Lyon, and the papal court being moved from Rome to Avignon in 1309 where it remained throughout the reign of the next seven Popes, ending in 1377 with return of the papal throne to Rome under Pope Gregory XI. (c ) The Reformation in 1517 with Martin Luther's stand against certain Church practices, and from which the Protestant movement sprang.

The Reformation went further, questioning Church dogma, with reinterpretation and publishing of Scriptures, a blow to the established Church from which she has never fully recovered. It must be noted that none of the above factors, the Reformation included, brought back the monotheism taught by Jesus (a.s.). Hence its polytheism continued, in essence preventing recognition of the revealed truth of Islam, still leading man away from salvation.

Shifts in Christian religious beliefs have continued and may be seen in innumerable diverse sects and cults. Man's spiritual desire for monotheism may be seen in the large numbers of adherents leaving the churches, searching for religious substance. Contemporary New Age Religions Cults: It would be very remiss not to mention the "New Age" cults and religions which are gaining sway throughout the world, particularly the Western world at this time.

Many appear to be a melange of elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca (witchcraft), Gaia worship (Earth worship), Goddess worship and further hocus pocus, mostly influenced by Pantheism. Pantheism et al. : Recognising that Pantheism is an ancient cult, it is included because of its far-reaching effect in newly-merging cults, even in some modern Christian teachings. In Pantheism we note that "God" is in everything and everything is God.

Therefore, one may live as one chooses, for to obey one's instincts and desires is to be obedient to "God". Seemingly in conflict is what is termed Deep Ecology in which the inherent belief is that man is of no more intrinsic value than an animal or plant, etc. However, if pantheism over-rides, then all are equally "God" . Further into this aspect is that which is now designated as "speciesism".