Christianity in Europe Today

Over the weekend, I read the French political theorist Olivier Roy’s superb ‘Is Europe Christian?’ and was mighty impressed by his analysis and arguments. The transformations of Christianity since the time of Christ are well documented. Luther’s Protestant Reformation, the Scientific Revolution during the Enlightenment, the separation of Church and State brought about by the French Revolution and the Romantic Movement which put a premium on individual emotions as against technocratic societies, were all watershed movements that loosened the hold of the Church. In the sixties, the boomers whom we poke fun at today, the hippies and the Anti-Vietnam movement fought for not just free sex but for the individual’s right over their bodies. And the two issues central to this was the right to abort and ofcourse, the pursuit of desire, thus shaking two foundational pillars of the Church – stable heterosexual marriages as the basis for Christian ethics and the pro-life stance of the Catholics. Since then, even conservative, right wing leaders have left these issues untouched. (Catholic Ireland‘s move from criminalization of abortion in 1983 to a complete reversal in 2018 is a classic representation of the reducing grip of the Church in Europe.)

The initial denial and the later reluctant acknowledgement of the pedophilia scandals that rocked the Church didn’t help it’s cause. (In popular media, Spotlight still remains one of the best narratives of the unveiling of this sordid episode. The end credits included a long list of scandals that were reported globally were harrowing and moving).

Today, Roy argues, that there seems to be a sudden resurgence in the ‘idea’ of Christianity. The architectural heritage and the symbolism of the Cross are celebrated and are constantly propped up as markers of Europe’s Christian ‘roots’. (Never mind that the churches are increasingly empty). The reason for this resurgence: the fear of Islam.

Islam, with its dress codes, dietary strictures, religious symbology and minarets has become the key issue in European society today. The counter to this fear of ‘Islamization of Europe’ (Hoellebecq’s novels) has been a broad coalition including conservatives who support same-sex marriages (since its banned in Islamic societies), secularists who find all religious symbology problematic (the Charlie Hebdo line) and the Catholic Church that is pro-immigration but also vocal of Christian modes of living (as a counter to the overt Islamic codes).

Islam’s arrival in Europe has placed it in a somewhat ambiguous position for the Church. Islam embodies religious dynamism and has reintroduced religion into the public space. Many of its believers outwardly practise their religion and challenge the authorities to take their faith into account. At the same time, Islam’s presence in Europe calls into question the continent’s Christian identity, and more importantly poses as a serious competitor for its spiritual reconquest.

The populist leaders gaining traction in Europe are against Islam, immigration, elites and porous borders. Hence, an ‘imaginary, supposedly homogeneous people, thought to share the same culture, customs and values’ is what unites them. Are these Christians? Not really. But with no other option, we have Christianity devoid of its core values as the antidote to their predicament.

 PS: The other aspect of Christianity in Europe has been the shift of the centre of gravity from Europe to the Global South. The reducing number of practising Christians in Europe has been countered by a resurgence of the Church in the South. Pope Francis’ elevation to the papacy is a marker of this broad change sweeping Christianity in Europe.

Should read more of Olivier Roy!