Saturday, December 14, 2019

Unbelievers

by Alec Ryrie

Western culture has tended to look at history as a linear story, assuming that it has a beginning and an end. So when we look at the state of religion in the West--the decline in church membership and rise of secularism in the public square--folks tend to assume that this is a new development in an ongoing story. (and that's regardless if they think it's a step toward utopia or armageddon) In Unbelievers, Professor Ryrie surveys the history of unbelievers* since the Reformation--where many would put the starting point of secularization--and comes to the conclusion that the decline of religion in the West is not an innovation. Western society has always had those who question and/or reject Christianity, usually fueled by either anger or anxiety. The book presents excerpts from their stories. It's not an exciting read, but it wasn't boring, either. Most refreshingly, it also wasn't a panicked or condescending account, like one might read in some of the articles that are floating around the internet today. Professor Ryrie treats his topic with calm and compassion. 
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* in the limited sphere of Christianized Western Europe and its colonies

Check it out.
LibraryThing link

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