There was a time when the Church was very powerful … In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Wherever the early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." Things are different now. The contemporary Church is so often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the Church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the Church's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are. what is the tone

Select the correct answerwhat theme is portrayed in this excerpt from leo tolstoy's the death of ivan ilyich? in reality it was just what is usually seen in the houses of people of moderate means who want to appear rich, and therefore succeed only inresembling others like themselves, there are damasks dark wood, plants, rugs, and dull and polished bronzes-all the things people of a certaiclass have in order to resemble other people of that class. his house was so like the others that it would never have been noticed, but to him it aseemed to be quite exceptional. he was very happy when he met his family at the station and brought them to the newly furnished house all lit uwhere a tootman in a white tie opened the door into the hall decorated with plants, and when they went on into the drawing-room and the studyuttering exclamations of delight he conducted them everywhere, drank in their praises eagerly, and beamed with pleasure.a.the effect of consumerismbw the power of wealthcam keeping up appearances in societyud. wconforming to societal conventionsresetnextil rights reserved.