Changes in the Church's Role:
* Loss of Spiritual Authority: The most significant change would be the elimination of its religious authority. The Church would no longer be a place of worship, sacraments, or spiritual guidance. Its influence on moral codes, personal beliefs, and societal values would diminish considerably.
* Focus on Secular Knowledge: The curriculum would shift entirely towards secular subjects. Depending on the specific church and its historical context, this could range from basic literacy and numeracy to advanced scientific research and philosophical inquiry. The content would be devoid of religious dogma or theological instruction.
* Shift in Community Structure: The social function of the Church as a community gathering place would likely be reduced. While educational institutions can foster community, it wouldn't replicate the social bonds often formed through shared faith and religious practice. The Church might become more like a university or community college.
* Changes in Funding and Governance: The Church's funding sources would change drastically. Tithing and donations based on religious beliefs would disappear. Funding would instead rely on tuition fees, government subsidies (possibly), endowments, and private donations based on the perceived educational value. Governance would likely become more secular, potentially modeled after public or private educational institutions.
* Impact on Religious Freedom: The very definition of "religious freedom" would require re-evaluation. The separation of Church and State would become even more crucial, as the Church would still potentially interact with issues related to morality and ethics, even without a religious framework.
Impact on Society:
* Rise of Secular Education: The current educational system might be reshaped. The Church, as a significant provider of education, would inevitably influence the overall educational landscape. Competition with existing institutions would be inevitable.
* Changes in Moral Values: With the Church's loss of spiritual authority, the source of societal moral codes would shift to other institutions – government, families, schools, media. This might lead to greater moral pluralism or a vacuum filled by competing secular ideologies.
* Shift in Social Cohesion: If the Church played a major role in social cohesion through shared religious belief, this would be lost. Other forms of social organization and community building would need to compensate.
* Potential for Increased Religious Diversity: Without a dominant religious institution providing a monolithic worldview, the landscape of religious belief might become more diverse and fragmented.
In essence, a Church solely focused on education would be a drastically different institution, transforming from a powerful religious and social force into a more specialized educational entity. The social and cultural ramifications would be profound and far-reaching.