The Rest Is Politics: Leading 52. Tom Holland: How religion shaped politics and the Western world
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Dec 25, 2023 
Historian Tom Holland joins Leading to discuss the impact of religion on shaping politics and the Western world. Topics covered include the influence of Christianity on the Middle Ages, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the relationship between religion and politics in the UK and America, character and virtue in political leadership, and the influence of religion on concepts of rights, compassion, and politics.
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Christmas Significance
- The birth of Jesus, as the son of God, in a stable upends power expectations.
- This reversal, where power is found in powerlessness, transforms moral values and influences Western politics.
Christian Influence
- Western values are profoundly shaped by Christian assumptions, regardless of personal belief.
- Billions believing in Jesus's story has reconfigured history and continues to influence Western thought.
Medieval Revolution
- The medieval era, often seen as static, was Europe's first revolutionary society.
- The 11th century saw radical shifts in social organization, echoing in later revolutions like the Reformation and Enlightenment.