Religious polarization doubled as moderates left while extremists persisted.

Evidence

The result is that the country is becoming ever more clearly divided into two groups—the devoutly observant and the entirely unchurched. (Some might see here a certain parallel to trends in politics—more true believers, more dropouts, and fewer moderates.) This is the sociological substratum that underlies the much discussed “culture wars” of recent years. — Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival…, 241

Categorization

• XREF: The hollowing-out of moderate religion here pairs directly with Putnam’s political argument that civic decline breeds polarization rather than uniform apathy. — connects to: Polarisation crushes moderates while strengthening extreme positions — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1271; Wartime exhaustion forces extremists to moderate or be replaced.; Weariness from religious wars fostered the growth of religious toleration and liberalism. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1935

Broader Connections

• Polarisation crushes moderates while strengthening extreme positions #corroborates (0.90) — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1271
• Wartime exhaustion forces extremists to moderate or be replaced. #contradicts (0.75)
• Weariness from religious wars fostered the growth of religious toleration and liberalism. #contradicts (0.70) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1935