Secularism and the Economic Decline of Europe

here is a transcript of a panel discussion on Fox Business News on the correspondence of the rise in secularism and the economic decline in Europe. The gist of the argument is that in increase in secularism creates a despair that impedes economic growth.

I connate disagree with the overall assessment, but the argument has definitely been simplified down for a short television segment.

Secularists may protest vehemently, but denying there is a higher power or that worldly actions have eternal consequences leads to a sense of nihilism. The argument that secularists will make the best of this world--helping others, maintaining high moral standards, etc--because this is the only life they will get cannot stand up to the truth that our sinful, corrupt nature is more inclined towards rebellion and despair.

The real problem in the connection between secularism and economics is that people are always hungry for something to believe in. without the void, they will fill the void with something else. Most often, that winds up being government. Faddish causes like environmentalism become popular, too, but expanding governments tend to swallow up those issues in order to maintain its power.

It goes without saying an expanding government means a weakening private sector. So filling the void left by an absence of religion with government leads to economic decay.

I am not entirely sure I buy into the idea of a Christian work ethic as the cause of America’s prosperity. Granted, the Uited states is more religious, but I suspect most Americans pay only lip service to their religious traditions. Very few, as a for instance, switch church denominations fro the one they grow, implying they never truly examine their beliefs. Of course, there is something to be said for maintaining tradition, so it is difficult topin down how important religious belief is to Americans or how it affects their daily lives.

Regardless of causal connection or lack there of, both Europe’s secularism and economic decline are best avoided for the united states’ future.