Christianity spread faster in small, politically structures societies

Nature Human Behaviour • Vol/Iss. 2 • Nature • • Published In • Pages: 559-564 •
By Watts, Joseph, Sheehan, Oliver, Bulbulia, Joseph, Gray, Russell D. , Atkinson, Quentin D.

Abstract

The present study examines 70 Austronesian cultures to test whether political hierarchy, population size, and social inequality have been influential in the conversion of populations to Christianity. Cultural isolation and year of missionary arrival are control variables. Using phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS), the researchers test the effect of the three predictor variables on conversion to Christianity and also conduct a multivariate analysis with all variables. The results do not offer support for what is expected by top-down and bottom-up theories of conversion but instead for the general dynamics of cultural transmission.

Note

Austronesian refers to a language-based grouping of cultures with Taiwanese origins that then spread south to Aotearoa (New Zealand), east to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and west to Madagascar.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Pulotu databaseResearcher's Own

Hypotheses (4)

HypothesisSupported
As predicted by top-down theories of conversion, Austronesian cultures with greater political organization will be faster to convert to Christianity than those with less political organization.Not Supported
As predicted by bottom-up theories of conversion, Austronesian cultures with higher levels of social inequality will be faster to convert to Christianity than those with lower levels.Not Supported
As predicted by general dynamics of cultural transmission, larger Austronesian populations will be slower to convert to Christianity than smaller populations.Supported
A model examining the predictor variables of political complexity, social inequality, and population size, as well as the control variables of cultural isolation and year of missionary arrival, will predict the conversion time of Austronesian cultures to Christianity.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: milagro.escobar  anj.droe