has the reformation achieved its purpose?

While the split with the Eastern Orthodox church had a lot to do with geography, the Reformation came about solely as a protest against the evil ways of the Roman Catholic church -- the selling of indulgences, the utter depravity of its popes, cardinals and priests and its total disregard for the poor and sick in its grab for more land and riches -- and while religious principles played a part it was largely a social movement.

Granted, some of the the protestant sects evolved into similar depraved and money-grubbing industries oppressing the poor, but most have done more to alleviate the plight of the poor and sick in the 500 years they have been in existence than the Roman Catholic church did in the previous 1500 years.

Democracy and the industrial revolution owed their beginnings in Europe to the protestant churches, and during that time it was not too difficult to equate the Roman Catholic church with oppression, ignorance, sickness and poverty and the protestant churches with freedom, education, health and prosperity.

In fact, the protestant churches have been so successful at lifting the masses out of oppression, ignorance, sickness and poverty that their very existence is today in jeopardy.

Generations raised with the protestant work ethic have become so prosperous -- taking their democratic rights, education and good health for granted -- that they have little interest these days in religion, other than on special occasions.

One can make the argument that the Reformation has now achieved its ultimate purpose as a social movement and its religious roots are largely redundant, but where does that leave the protestant churches and the many people who rely on them for employment?

Many, of course, are leaving the protestant churches to seek employment with the wealthy Roman Catholic church; others are seeking employment as counselors in government and non-government bodies; and others see their work continuing in the Third World -- raising the living standards of the poor, sick and oppressed in Africa and elsewhere.

Should we rejoice in the fact that the Reformation has raised us to stand on our own two feet,to commune with our Maker in our hearts and minds without a priest standing between us, hands out grasping for money, or should we bemoan the fact that the protestant churches have been so successful that they are no longer needed?

To drum up doom and gloom in the hope of attracting parishioners is to behave in a manner similar to that used by the pre-Reformation Catholic Church. It would be abominable.

There are many useful avenues of employment open for people previously employed in protestant churches, and although it is sad to see our churches close and be used for other purposes, we should bear in mind that just like doctors trained to treat the scourge of polio have been largely made redundant we should be thankful that our work, too, has been done.