The Commentary

Demographically, in order for a society to maintain itself for 25 years, there needs to be a birth rate of 2.11.

The last set of birth rates for countries within Europe I could find independently confirmed was from the BBC in 2004. They were as follows: Ireland 1.99; France 1.9; Norway 1.81; Sweden 1.75; UK 1.74; Germany 1.37; Italy 1.33; Spain 1.32; Greece 1.29. The birth rate in Britain, along within those of many other EU countries, as you see, is well below the required level. This inevitably means that the West, as we have known it, is in decline. Indeed with booming Islamic birth rates in Europe, Colonel Gadafi of Libya is quoted as saying, ‘There are signs that Allah will grant victory to Islam in Europe, without swords, without guns…We don’t need terrorists… The 50+ million Muslims will turn it into a Muslim continent within decades.’

Secular self-destruction

Why are Western birth rates so low? The West is secular by and large and secular people believe this life is all there is. The philosophy which follows is that of self-centred materialism and ‘sensualism’. We are only here for a short time and the only sources of happiness are our five physical senses so we had better ‘eat and drink (and go for it in whatever way turns us on), for tomorrow we die’. The logical outcome is hedonism. That was the apostle Paul’s conclusion in 1 Corinthians 15.32.

But it is this very outlook, looked upon as ‘only common sense’ by the majority of our countrymen, especially the younger generation, which is simultaneously undermining our culture and our society. Bringing up children is costly and hard. It doesn’t fit well with a hedonistic ‘personal quality of life’ fixation fostered by secularism. Groucho Marx once quipped, ‘What’s posterity ever done for me?’ The pleasure-centred consumer takes that question seriously and concludes that raising a family, especially a large one, is not for him or her. Abortion is the preferred option.

But demographics are not the only area affected by secularism. Our laws are becoming increasingly utilitarian and so whatever is perceived as causing least trouble in the short term is recommended. According to the UK Drug Policy Commission at the end of July, some drug dealers should be tolerated because arresting them can increase violent crime. Never mind what is morally right. Never mind the lives wrecked by marijuana and cocaine. Again, hedonistic assumptions shape the attitude of many people towards defence policy. Does protection against terrorism mean the tragic loss of young service men and women in Afghanistan? Then, never mind the consequences, bring the troops home.

The bottom line is that secularism is an inherently unstable system. That’s how it is when freedom has no other purpose but self-indulgence.

The gospel and culture

The freedoms of the West can only be saved by the gospel. Christian faith, with its doctrine of all people made in the image of God and therefore valuable and with a raison d’etre beyond themselves, is the root from which our free society and civilisation developed. Immigration generally has many positives and we are thankful for the influx of Christians of one sort or another who have helped stem the disastrous secular tide. But, of course, what is really required is for Christian thought and behaviour to recapture the Western mindset. What is required is for the church to become again a city set upon a hill; high quality Christian living, apologetics and evangelism. I wonder where we will be in 25 years’ time?

Why the West is going west

Secular self-destruction

The gospel and culture

John Benton

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