Christianity’s retreat (or not) from public life, and why it matters for all of us.
Rupert Shortt, religion editor for The Times Literary Supplement, is clear-eyed about the state of Christianity in the West. Mainstream churches are facing a significant decline, with some at risk of dying out altogether.
The census reveals that a minority of British people now identify as Christian, and that trend is mirrored across nearby societies. Many cultural influencers are promoting secularism with the kind of dogmatic zeal they criticise in people of faith. And others, though they’re spiritually curious, remain publicly sceptical of religious beliefs like the existence of God.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Shortt argues that church teachings are still both intellectually sound and globally influential. Christianity continues to inspire transformative action around the world and remains a source of hope for humanity. And the church needs to be bolder about saying just that.
In this evening talk hosted by LICC CEO Paul Woolley, Shortt will explore why Christian values offer the best way forward for Western societies – and how the church can assert that fact more vigorously and confidently. Despite the rise of secularism and the steady decline in religious adherence, Christianity can still shape a better future for the UK, and we can boldly make that case to our society.
Join us for an evening that will inspire you with renewed confidence in Christian thought and action – and reaffirm why the Christian faith is still crucial for our nation.
This event will be recorded for an upcoming episode of The Whole Life Podcast.
