In an article published at the Witherspoon Institute, Samuel Gregg argues for the reaffirmation of Western civilization, its roots and its accomplishments. We need not be “faithful Jews or orthodox Christians to affirm Western civilization’s achievements,” but it is vital that we realize “these faiths’ indispensable role in the growth of Western culture,” he writes.
Gregg explains that today there seems to be a trend to disparage the West, evidenced by current terrorism and even by attitudes in the West, “studiously ignoring or denigrating the West’s impressive achievements.” To counteract this, Gregg paints a large picture of Western accomplishments, ranging in scope from the Rule of Benedict to the building of St. Paul’s Cathedral to the rule of law and limited government.
The achievements of the West, Gregg points out, “are essentially derivative. They proceed from specific philosophical and religious commitments without which the West as we know it could never have developed. When those foundations are shaken, we should not be surprised that all that is built on them starts to falter.” The faith-based rationale upon which the West has developed should not be pulled out from under it.
The West’s indispensable Judeo Christian roots should produce “discussion and affirmation.” Gregg concludes his article by encouraging “believers and non-believers alike to rediscover and reaffirm those truths without which … the West will eventually become unknown to itself.”
Read Gregg’s full article here.
(Picture: By Skyden67 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)
