In December 2023, Ed West wrote for The Spectator about a phenomenon I have been interested in for quite a while: the rise of a new counter-Enlightenment that defends religion, and Christianity in particular, based on its social value rather than because it is true. West termed such defenders of faith(s?) the ‘New Theists’, a term that I like very much and which I shall probably use quite often from now on.
I'm reading "The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America" by Coleman Hughes. Listing causes for the recent spread of "neoracism" (i.e. woke racism, exemplar proponents being Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo), our fellow atheist Hughes writes:
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"Second [after the end of the cold war and declining importance of the War on Terror that previously occupied Americans], the decline of Christianity in American culture—which has been beneficial in many ways—has created an ideological vacuum into which neoracism has been able to enter. The common humanity and anti-racism of the civil rights movement had strong ties to Christianity. And Christianity promoted the value of interracial harmony: unity in Christ. But the appeal of Christianity has since waned—especially among liberal white Americans and young black Americans, and the resulting vacuum has given neoracism—a far more racially divisive ideology—a place to settle."
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Religion may "poison everything" but I can stomach Christians more easily than illiberal leftists and if belief in heaven and hell is the only thing preventing someone from murdering me and mine, then praise Jesus. What do you think of this condescending view? A version of it was held by the greatest atheist in history (Spinoza). Though he favored a civil religion for the masses based on justice and charity, scrubbed of most supernatural elements.
Danny, I couldn't agree more! Thank you for writing this clear-headed piece! I feel insulted every time people suggest that I'm only moral because religion has paved the way in the West for me. This resurgence of religious thinking, and particularly in this odd caliphate-like iteration, where Christianity, is viewed as a useful and necessary political tool more than or as much as it is metaphysical hypothesis—it fails on this front, as you duly note—is very disturbing. It keeps giving Roman empire and Pope Pius vis à vis Mussollini and Hitler. It's terrifying and insulting. And UNTRUE... which is the most important factor.
I'm reading "The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America" by Coleman Hughes. Listing causes for the recent spread of "neoracism" (i.e. woke racism, exemplar proponents being Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo), our fellow atheist Hughes writes:
--
"Second [after the end of the cold war and declining importance of the War on Terror that previously occupied Americans], the decline of Christianity in American culture—which has been beneficial in many ways—has created an ideological vacuum into which neoracism has been able to enter. The common humanity and anti-racism of the civil rights movement had strong ties to Christianity. And Christianity promoted the value of interracial harmony: unity in Christ. But the appeal of Christianity has since waned—especially among liberal white Americans and young black Americans, and the resulting vacuum has given neoracism—a far more racially divisive ideology—a place to settle."
--
Religion may "poison everything" but I can stomach Christians more easily than illiberal leftists and if belief in heaven and hell is the only thing preventing someone from murdering me and mine, then praise Jesus. What do you think of this condescending view? A version of it was held by the greatest atheist in history (Spinoza). Though he favored a civil religion for the masses based on justice and charity, scrubbed of most supernatural elements.
Danny, I couldn't agree more! Thank you for writing this clear-headed piece! I feel insulted every time people suggest that I'm only moral because religion has paved the way in the West for me. This resurgence of religious thinking, and particularly in this odd caliphate-like iteration, where Christianity, is viewed as a useful and necessary political tool more than or as much as it is metaphysical hypothesis—it fails on this front, as you duly note—is very disturbing. It keeps giving Roman empire and Pope Pius vis à vis Mussollini and Hitler. It's terrifying and insulting. And UNTRUE... which is the most important factor.