Justin Brierley, writer and broadcaster who creates dialogue between Christians and non-Christians, discusses his book 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.' Topics include his parent's conversion, the evolutionary need for religion, the influence of Christopher Hitchens, and the distinction between the institution of the Church and the faith itself.
Christianity played a pivotal role in shaping Western values, including human rights and equality, despite the contemporary society's blindness to its influence.
The rise and decline of New Atheism highlighted its dogmatic approach, failure to provide an alternative moral framework, and the lingering influence of Christianity within atheism.
Deep dives
The Influence of Christianity in Western Values
The podcast episode explores the profound impact of Christianity on Western values and culture. It highlights the contrast between the values of the Greco-Roman world and those shaped by Christian beliefs, such as the concepts of human rights, equality, dignity, progress, and freedom. The discussion acknowledges that many of these values, which are now considered fundamental to our society, did not exist prior to the Christian revolution. It also reflects on the blindness of contemporary society to the Christian roots of these values, often assuming that they stem solely from science and reason. The episode features insights from historians, authors, and philosophers who assert that Christianity played a pivotal role in shaping our moral instincts and that its influence is still deeply embedded in our worldview.
The Decline and Critique of New Atheism
The episode evaluates the rise and subsequent decline of New Atheism, a movement led by prominent atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris. The conversation discusses how the movement's initial strong momentum gave way to internal divisions and a quasi-religious fervor among some proponents. The podcast highlights critiques of New Atheism, including its dogmatic approach, inability to provide an alternative moral framework, and failure to fulfill its goal of a purely rational and scientific society. It also explores the lingering influence of Christianity within atheism, with some atheists acknowledging the benefits of moderate forms of religion.
The Need for Meaning and Religious Instincts
The podcast delves into the innate human need for meaning and the enduring presence of religious instincts. It notes that attempts to eradicate religion often lead to the emergence of alternative quasi-religious beliefs or movements. The conversation highlights the insights of historians and biologists, who argue that religion offers social cohesion, a moral framework, a larger story to live into, and a sense of purpose. It suggests that secular movements and ideologies often mirror religious tendencies, and that humans are inherently wired for a belief in something greater than themselves.
Reevaluating Religion in a Post-Christian Culture
The episode prompts a reevaluation of religion in a post-Christian culture, examining the consequences of dismissing religious values and traditions. It emphasizes the role of Christianity in shaping Western civilization and influencing key aspects of society, including human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. The conversation challenges the assumption that religion is inherently detrimental, instead advocating for an appreciation of the positive contributions of moderate and progressive forms of faith. It further highlights the need for a collective story and moral framework to anchor individuals in an increasingly secular world.
Justin is a writer and broadcaster who creates dialogue between Christians and non-Christians. He co-hosts the “Re-Enchanting” podcast for Seen & Unseen, and is a guest presenter for the “Maybe God” podcast. He also contributes to Premier Christianity magazine, where he used to be editor. His new book is The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, and he has a documentary podcast series of the same name.
You can listen right away in the audio player above (or on the right side of the player, click “Listen On” to add the Dishcast feed to your favorite podcast app). For two clips of our convo — on what killed the New Atheist movement, and the infinitesimal odds that life ever emerged — pop over to our YouTube page.
Other topics: his parents the “hippies who found Jesus” at Oxford; his early childhood in a Christian commune; the left and right brains of faith; conversion moments; Pascal; Augustine; the evolutionary need for religion; Hitchens and me debating the meaning of life; our disdain for proselytizing; Dawkins and the “mind virus”; atheism and why people “need more than a negative to live on”; my falling away from the Church after the sex-abuse crisis; the quasi-religious movement of BLM and wokeness; its need for purity without grace; the Trump cult; evangelicals drifting from the church-state divide; Christianism; my atheist ex-boyfriend; Ayaan’s conversion; Tom Holland; Game of Thrones as medieval Europe without Christianity; how Jesus changed human consciousness forever; Bart Ehrman; debating the details of the Resurrection; the #MeToo movement and the dignity of women; monogamy as a way to protect women from polygamist men; Louise Perry’s Case Against Sexual Revolution; how ISIS brought back crucifixion; the chasm between Christianity and its leaders; the many messiahs of the ancient world; psychedelics; sensing my friend Patrick after his death; scientific materialism; Alex Rosenberg’s The Atheist’s Guide to Reality; the problem of consciousness; panpsychism; Harari on human rights; Paul Davies and the “directionality of life”; logos as logic speaking into chaos; and why “Christianity has to stay weird.”
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Isikoff and Klaidman on Trump’s trials; Christian Wiman on resisting despair as a Christian, Nate Silver on the 2024 race, Jeffrey Rosen on the pursuit of happiness, George Will on Trump and conservatism, and Abigail Shrier on why the cult of therapy harms children. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other pod comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
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