The article titled "The Unravelling of our Western Judeo/Christian Civilization" by Stuart Goldsmith, published on American Thinker,
signals a growing concern among some conservative thinkers about the perceived decline of Western values rooted in Christian traditions. I will look at the threats to what is often termed "Christian civilisation" in the West, examining cultural, political, and social forces that challenge its foundations.
One of the most prominent threats to Christian civilisation, as often articulated by thinkers like Goldsmith, is the erosion of traditional values through secularisation and progressive ideologies. Over the past century, Western societies have become increasingly secular, with declining church attendance and a growing number of people identifying as non-religious. In Europe, for instance, countries like the UK and Sweden have seen dramatic drops in Christian affiliation, with many historic churches repurposed as cultural centres or even mosques. This shift is often accompanied by the rise of progressive social policies—such as the legalisation of same-sex marriage, the expansion of abortion rights, and the promotion of gender fluidity—that conflict with traditional Christian teachings on marriage, family, and sexuality. For many Christians, these changes represent a direct assault on the moral framework that has historically underpinned Western society, replacing Biblical principles with a relativistic, human-centered ethic that prioritises individual choice over divine authority.
Another significant threat comes from the perceived marginalisation of Christian voices in public life. In the UK, as seen in the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt's prosecution for protesting outside an abortion clinic, laws like the Public Order Act 2023 can be interpreted as stifling Christian expression under the guise of protecting public order. Similarly, in the U.S., debates over religious exemptions—such as those involving Christian bakers or florists who refuse to serve same-sex weddings—highlight a tension between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws. Critics argue that such legal trends push Christianity to the margins, framing its adherents as bigots or obstacles to progress rather than contributors to societal good. This marginalisation extends to education and media, where Christian perspectives are often sidelined or ridiculed, replaced by secular or pluralistic narratives that downplay the role of faith in shaping Western history and ethics.
Globalisation and multiculturalism also pose challenges to the idea of a cohesive Christian civilisation. The West's increasing diversity, driven by immigration and global interconnectedness, has introduced a plurality of religious and cultural identities that compete with the historically dominant Christian framework. In Europe, the growth of Muslim populations has sparked debates over integration, with warnings of a "demographic replacement" that could erode Christian cultural hegemony. This fear is often amplified by high-profile incidents, such as the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in France, which underscored the clash between Islamic extremism and Western values like free speech, values that, while not exclusively Christian, are often tied to the West's Christian heritage. For some, this diversity threatens to dilute the shared moral and cultural identity that once unified Western societies under a Christian ethos, replacing it with a fragmented, relativistic landscape where no single tradition holds sway.
Political and ideological forces further exacerbate these threats, particularly through what some see as the rise of "woke" culture and its alignment with state power. The arrests of UK police officers for sharing offensive messages on WhatsApp, as discussed at the blog today, reflect a broader trend of policing speech and thought in ways that can disproportionately target conservative or religious viewpoints. In the U.S., policies under progressive administrations—such as the Biden administration's support for transgender rights in schools—have been criticised by Christian groups as infringing on parental rights and religious freedoms. Meanwhile, the globalist agenda, which Donald Trump has positioned himself against, is often seen by Christian conservatives as a threat to national sovereignty and traditional values, promoting a homogenised, secular world order that undermines the West's Christian roots. This perception is compounded by the influence of tech giants and media, which often amplify progressive narratives while censoring or deplatforming conservative Christian voices, as seen in various controversies over social media moderation.
In essence, the threats to Christian civilization in the West are real but complex, encompassing secularization, legal marginalisation, cultural diversity, and ideological shifts. These are all formidable challenges to Christendom. However, Christians have been in worse situations before, and have risen to the occasion, which I believe they will do once more to meet the challenges of the time.