Two types of Religion

There are basically two way for religions to propagate.

1) Parent -> Child

Most religions are possessive of their children. They discourage apostasy and blasphemy. Children born inside the religion are seen as automatic members of the religion. Children born outside the religion are not seen as automatic members of the religion.

2a) Missionary -> Convert (voluntary)

Not many religions use this as the primary method of conversion. Voluntary conversions are mostly a matter of having an appealing religion, and good marketing.

2b) Missionary -> Convert (coercive)

State force is the most relevant form of conversion. Missionaries with guns are far more effective than missionaries with books. Especially in modern society, where modern technology has created a very powerful and centralized state.


These methods of reproduction pressure religions in certain directions. Each religion has significant variations in doctrine, worship, morality, et cetera. Not all branches of the religion reproduce equally.


If Parent -> Child is the primary method that the religion uses to reproduce, the religion will tend to become more and more pro-fertility.

If Missionary -> Convert (voluntary) is the primary method, the religion will tend to become more and more appealing to potential converts.

If Missionary -> Convert (coercive) is the primary method, the religion will tend to become and more totalitarian, and better-marketed. A political movement that permits it's opponents free speech will die. A political movement that does not permit it's opponents free speech will survive and expand.


Prior to 1900, most established branches of Christianity reproduced primarily through the Parent -> Child method. This includes Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, et cetera.