De-Christianisation Leads to Polarisation
by Brendan Malone
I was reflecting earlier today on how the loss of Christendom is one of the most under-appreciated contributors to the growing social divisions in the modern West.
Not simply because Christianity is the religion which gave the world the fundamental truth that all human persons are morally equal bearers of the sacred image of God; or the call to love neighbour; or the declaration that Christ is found when we go to the least amongst us; nor the fact that it is the sacred transcendent law which gave shape and unity to our society.
It also created important social utility at a practical level. Widespread Christian belief also resulted in higher rates of church attendance, which, generally speaking, meant more people in society were rubbing shoulders on a weekly basis with others from a wide variety of socioeconomic classes, ethnicities and backgrounds.
When Christians gather together, they don’t commune together under a shared political or demographic identity; instead, they unite under a far more powerful and sacred truth that transcends mere demographic or political attributes.
It also meant more people were regularly crossing various demographic divides out of a sense of holy obligation to varying missionary endeavours.
Loss of Community
The major diminishment of a weekly demographically diverse socialisation, coupled with the waning of outward-focused Christian evangelistic activity, an increasing individualistic atomisation, and friendship behaviours conducted primarily according to self-created political identities, means that we are now more divided and less empathetic to others in the West.
It also means that politicians and policymakers are increasingly crafting policies for large sections of the population without ever having any meaningful form of regular ongoing (and sacred) communion with them. This is probably why both left and right are increasingly producing policies which, regardless of how well-intentioned they might be, are the infective outcomes of myopic echo chamber thinking.
___
Brendan Malone is a New Zealand husband, father, independent media commentator, and Director of The Lifenet — a Christian ministry dedicated to planting and nurturing the seeds of leadership, virtue, and ethical concern through goodness, truth, and beauty.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk.
2 Comments
Leave A Comment
Recent Articles:
23 September 2026
3.9 MINS
Italy’s euthanasia debate has reached a troubling new stage, with doctors facing criminal investigation after refusing to participate in assisted suicide.
22 September 2026
6.3 MINS
A remarkable journey to Mount Ebal explores Joshua’s altar, fascinating archaeological discoveries and the enduring biblical significance of Samaria and Israel’s ancient heritage.
22 September 2026
2.9 MINS
A downed US airman credits God, training and teamwork after surviving a devastating fall over Iran and enduring a remarkable rescue mission.
21 September 2026
4.4 MINS
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. That was the message Danny Abdullah brought to London's ARC conference, sharing how he and his wife chose to forgive the man who killed three of their children.
21 September 2026
4.4 MINS
On September 11, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave an interfaith award to a man who called Osama bin Laden the "Sword of God" and blames Jews and Christians for the war on Iran. The award was rescinded after public backlash.
21 September 2026
8.5 MINS
After a 20-week scan revealed possible heart abnormalities and genetic concerns, medical staff twice offered to abort a Christian couple's baby. Six weeks of fervent prayer later, the heart defect was gone — and their son is nearly ready to be born.
21 September 2026
3.2 MINS
Something special happens when men step out of the everyday and focus on being fully present. Dads4Kids recent Men’s Summit and the upcoming Courageous Online Fathering Course create space for presence.
Thank you Brendan for your incredibly helpful, concise, insightful comment on the situation we are finding ourselves in at this time. You have so clearly identified the amazing value of Christian gatherings where folk from a huge variety of backgrounds come together into God’s presence as equals. Ready to learn and be encouraged by others with widely different experiences and levels of wisdom. My prayer is that we will wake up to what we are losing before it is too late.
A very beautiful article ! Thank you. The old saying that a bunch of twigs is stronger than a single twig . While we argue amongst Christians , we allow Evil to flourish in the World unabated, instead of us setting a loving and united Front.