The European Christianity have a long and varied history of decline. A powerful tendency for secularization appeared in Western Europe spreading to the entire European continent. The age of Enlightenment is the epoch of the decline of faith under the onslaught of scientific worldview and rationalism. The sunset of the influence of the Church is correlated with the enlightened absolutism. The culmination of the secularization process was the French revolution.
In the XVIII century, the Catholic Church experienced difficult times due to the age of Enlightenment. In this period, natural sciences and the social thought were actively developed. The revolution of 1789 led to the abolition of monarchy and execution of King Louis XVI. In this period, France and other European countries became the “Religion of Mind,” in which the central place took the “Higher Entities.” At the end of the twentieth century, Western leaders began to impose this newfangled policy on society with persistence close to obsession.
Behind the ideas about the parallel existence of cultures for the purpose of their mutual penetration, enrichment, and development in the universal mainstream of mass culture, an utterly pragmatic calculation was hidden. The main aim of the European governments was to make it easier for migrants of faiths not typical for Europe to adapt to the continent and perhaps assimilate. European authorities wanted to improve its demographics at migrants’ expense to support the economy with labor resources. In order to do so, it was necessary to give up Christian principles. Christians began to go to church less often due to new social values forming. Without the former support of the communities, the churches fell into disrepair and closed. Since the beginning of the 90s, about a thousand churches of the country’s traditional confessions have been closed.
Changing in moral values and the wide-spreading of ethical acceptance caused the decline in Christianity. After the development of the social sciences and historical events mentioned above, people started to avoid religion. The increased quality and safety of life caused such a decay. Moreover, the tolerance sentiments have conquered the minds of Europeans. The dogmatic ideas that are essential to be followed became controversial in terms of modern ethical trends. Still the Enlightenment period, all the dogmas are questioned contributing to the development of the thought and mind.
Thus, Christianity seems illogical and sometimes even unethical in stating inviolable thoughts. A few years ago, Stephen Bullivant, professor of theology and sociology of religion at St Mary’s University in London, conducted a study. The scientist was interested in the prospects of Christianity: how churched today’s youth is, how immersed they are in religion. The survey of young people showed that approximately 70-80% of young people identified themselves as non-believers. Therefore, the decline of Christianity in Europe is primarily caused by the change in the worldviews of Europeans and cultural integration. Today, Christianity and any other religions are considered as an easy way to escape the problems in life. Modern Christianity in Europe is much less powerful than before. Society strives to choose how to live themselves, avoiding religious dogmas.
Bibliography
Bullivant, Stephen, and Bullock, Josh. “Nonreligion and Europe.” In The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Europe, edited by Davie, Grace and Leustean, Lucian, 551-567. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021.
Jackson, Darrell. “The state of the churches in Europe.” Review & Expositor 155, (2018): 157–174. Web.