The more things change, the more they stay the same.
We used to be a tribal society.
The emergence of monotheism changed the rules for a thousand years. Conflicts between emerging religions dictated culture, warfare, and technology. Internally they splintered and adapted to outlast the Age of Monarchs and through the rise of Capitalism. Each splintering was in response to political or economic factors.
Christianity spread through kingdoms such as Byzantine (395–1453 CE), Holy Roman (800–1806 CE) , and Spanish (1492–1976) Empires. Missionaries continue to receive significant support from the British Empire (1497 — Current) and the United States of America.
Islam spread through the Ottoman (1299–1922), the Safavid (1501–1736), and the Hindustan (1526–1857) Empires. Prosethylzation continues through the Muslim Brotherhood and the governments of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and others.
The Maurya Empire (268–232 BCE) led by Emporer Ashoka is credited for the spread of Buhddism through Asia. Political instability dampened the spread compared to other montheistic religions.
State-sponsored religions will always have an advantage over those without a military or a large purse. More governments are becoming secular and religion is losing its hold on society. The splintering and deconversions dilute their power and influence. Major religious leaders can no longer agree on doctrine and religious persecution is escalating again.
The world is devolving into tribes again. Large governments, large religions, large organizations oppress those who are different. They must deny freedoms to maintain power and limit education to prevent deconversion. The internet is disseminating information faster than religions or governments can respond and movements such as the Arab Spring, the election of Donald Trump, and Brexit are symptoms of the populist unrest under oppressive conditions.
