The Decline Of Christianity In America

Summary

In this insightful conversation, John Daniel Davidson, senior editor at The Federalist and author of 'Pagan America,' discusses the shift from a Christian to a post-Christian society. He argues that as Christianity wanes, the moral and cultural foundations it provided are also at risk of being lost. The discussion touches on how Christian doctrines, such as the belief in the inherent dignity of every individual, have shaped American values and government. Davidson suggests that without these Christian underpinnings, society may revert to a pagan ethos characterized by force and coercion. He also addresses the historical contradictions of Christian nations engaging in wars and subjugation, acknowledging these as departures from Christian ideals. The conversation challenges the notion that secular humanism or a 'Christless Christianity' can sustain the moral and cultural achievements of Western civilization, proposing instead that a post-Christian era may see a resurgence of pagan values antithetical to the principles that have guided societies for centuries.

Takeaways

• 📚 The author, John Daniel Davidson, argues in his book 'Pagan America' that the only alternative to Christianity in the post-Christian era is not secularism but paganism.
• 🌐 He suggests that as the number of non-practicing Christians and non-identifiers grows, the U.S. is moving towards a self-identified Christian minority for the first time.
• ⛪️ Davidson posits that the American system of government and way of life are products of Christian civilization and cannot exist independently of it.
• 🚫 Outside of Christianity, he warns that societal norms may devolve into a form of post-Christian neopaganism, which is based on force and coercion.
• 🤔 He challenges the idea that general morality or civic virtue could suffice to unite people without a foundational worldview or moral cosmology.
• 🏛 Davidson discusses how pagan societies historically viewed those outside their group as subjects for subjugation or exploitation, contrasting with Christian doctrine.
• 🇺🇸 He acknowledges that despite being a Christian nation, the U.S. has engaged in wars and acts of subjugation, but argues these are departures from Christian ideals.
• 🤝 The conversation touches on the potential for a 'christless Christianity' or secular humanism, but Davidson argues that culture relies on the vitality of its religious roots.
• 👑 He references historical debates within Christianity about the treatment of indigenous peoples, highlighting the influence of Christian thought on these discussions.
• 📉 Davidson suggests that as society moves away from Christianity, there is a risk of losing the moral virtues that have shaped Western civilization.
• 🌟 He concludes that the U.S. and Europe are entering a new, unprecedented era, and we should expect a resurgence of a pagan ethos that is fundamentally different from Christian morality.

Q & A

What is the central argument of John Daniel Davidson's book 'Pagan America'?

The central argument of 'Pagan America' is that the only real alternative to Christianity in the post-Christian era is not secularism, but paganism. Davidson suggests that as the number of practicing Christians decreases, the United States is entering a new era that will likely see a resurgence of a pagan ethos, which is based on force and coercion, rather than Christian moral virtues.

How does Davidson define 'pagan morality' in the context of his discussion?

Davidson defines 'pagan morality' as a system where if you are not part of my group, it's my moral duty to take what you have or subjugate you for the benefit of me and my people. He contrasts this with Christian morality, which posits inherent dignity and equality in every person.

What does Davidson suggest will happen to American values as Christianity declines?

Davidson suggests that as Christianity declines, the values and principles that have shaped American society, such as human rights, freedom of speech, and consent of the governed, will not be able to exist on their own outside of a Christian moral cosmology. He argues that these values will devolve into a form of post-Christian neopaganism.

How does Davidson respond to the criticism that despite being a Christian nation, the United States has a history of wars and subjugation?

Davidson acknowledges that there have been instances of subjugation and wars, but he argues that these are departures from the claims of Christianity. He emphasizes that Christianity as a moral and religious system claims equality between people, which is the basis for human rights and dignity.

What is Davidson's view on the possibility of retaining Christian moral virtues in a post-Christian society?

Davidson argues that it is not feasible to retain Christian moral virtues in a post-Christian society. He believes that these virtues rely on the religious claims of Christianity as the source of their vitality and coherence. Without the religious foundation, he suggests that society would naturally revert to a pagan morality.

How does Davidson differentiate between the ideals of Christianity and the historical actions of Christian nations?

Davidson differentiates between the ideals and the historical actions by stating that history is contingent and that the ideal of human equality or the perfect realization of Christian moral ideals has never been fully attained by any civilization, including Christian ones. However, he maintains that the philosophical and moral claims of Christianity provide a fundamentally different ontological claim about human beings than what pagan societies posited.

What is the role of the doctrine of imago Dei in Davidson's argument?

The doctrine of imago Dei, or the belief that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, is central to Davidson's argument. He suggests that this doctrine underpins the inherent dignity and rights associated with individuals in the American system of government and way of life.

Davidson mentions a 'pagan ethos' emerging in the post-Christian era. What characteristics does he associate with this ethos?

Davidson associates the 'pagan ethos' with a mentality based on force and coercion. He suggests that this ethos is in contrast to the Christian moral cosmology that has shaped Western civilization and that it may lead to a new social and cultural order.

How does Davidson address the issue of slavery in the context of Christian morality?

Davidson acknowledges that there were Christians who supported slavery, but he argues that this support was a departure from Christian principles. He points out that the abolitionist movement was rooted in Christian arguments that recognized the inherent dignity of all human beings as children of God.

What is Davidson's perspective on the argument that secular humanism or a 'christless Christianity' could uphold the moral and cultural values derived from Christianity?

Davidson contends that secular humanism or a 'christless Christianity' cannot sustain the moral and cultural values that originate from Christianity. He asserts that the culture and its values rely on the religious claims and vitality of Christianity, and without these religious underpinnings, the culture would lose coherence.

What does Davidson suggest is the fundamental difference between Christian civilization and pagan societies throughout history?

Davidson suggests that the fundamental difference lies in the ontological claims about human beings and their inherent dignity. Christian civilization posits that all humans are created equal in the image of God, whereas pagan societies historically accepted and institutionalized inequalities, such as the concept of natural slavery.