The Social Danger of Christian Fundamentalism: Plea for a Coalition of Church and Secular Society

Abstract

Large churches are receiving less and less attention for their role as the mouthpiece of global social visions and values. At the same time, the secular social philosopher Charles Taylor has pointed out the stabilizing effect of the Christian faith for a modern liberal society. But while Christian regions of the world are increasingly turning away from the established churches, Christian fundamentalist communities are now gaining more and more influence. With this new face of Christianity, the positive influences on social cohesion highlighted by Taylor are receding. For Christian fundamentalism seems neither socially inclusive nor irenic. Tolerance toward other denominations and religions is just as much at stake as freedom of thought. The consequences of such a possible change of religious character are the following: (1) If these fundamentalist forces continue to gain power, Taylor’s positive social assessment of Christianity would have to be relativized. (2) Or: Large churches resolutely oppose fundamentalism and regain credibility with their ideal of well-founded human dignity and social cohesion. Then Taylor’s thesis regains importance for social culture. But for this the churches must find effective means to stop the aggressive mission of the fundamentalists. Secular society should support churches in this endeavor. (3) If the churches are not sufficiently successful in gaining such new credibility, secular society will find answers to the challenges of this fundamentalism on its own initiative.