Conclusion- Christianity, Politics, and Secularism in the West
by Dan Severson
Class Date: November 2, 2022
While the number of people that attend church remains low in western Europe as a whole, its traditions, values, and way of life comes from its Christian heritage. While European civilization has become largely secular, its Christian roots are obvious. Furthermore, Europe and America have become places of increasing diversity. In other parts of the world where Christianity has had less influence, diversity of people from many backgrounds is an anomaly. Populations in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, and Japan consist mostly of natives. Over the last several decades, people of all over the world have migrated to western countries. No doubt, this is partly due to the concentration of wealth in the west and the promise of a better life, but there is more to it than that.
The parable of the Good Samaritan does not make a distinction with respect to who our neighbor is. The man who was helped by the Good Samaritan was not identified. The point of the parable is simple. Everyone in whom you come into contact is your neighbor. Moreover, Jesus wandered over to foreign lands on many occasions, such as Tyre, Siden, the Decapolis, and Samaria. He ministered to many, including Roman soldiers. Jesus called all his disciples to preach the gospel to all people, and baptize them in the name of the triune God. Christian nations therefore are not to exclude anyone. It is no accident that the west is becoming more diverse as travel is made easier. Christianity is the only religion that encourages such a thing.
“In Christ, there is no male or female, no slave and free, and no Gentile and Jew. All are one in Christ.”