Inequality can have a bad downside, but equality, for its part, sure does get in the way of coordination.

Real equality is immensely difficult to achieve, it needs continual revision and monitoring of distributions. And it does not provide buffers between members, so they are continually colliding or frustrating each other.

Mormons... are so strong, they can handle wealth, they are confident. I think it is because they are not bogged down by rules for equality, but have a firmly defined system of relative status and responsible command.

Religion can make it worse. Are you supposing that if people were encouraged to believe in a transcendent reality, and to be encouraged by grand rituals and music and preaching, to love their neighbors, then they would put jealousy and frustration aside?

It seems true that the growth of science and secularism made organized Christianity feel under threat.

If people want to compete for leadership of a religious group, they can compete in piety. A chilling thought. Or funny.