Social Relevance of Christianity - Christianity & Secularisation

Relevance in British society

- In times of major disasters, people still often turn to the Church to express their grief / find comfort / make sense of it

- Church often works with local communities to come to terms with a tragedy, e.g. murder of a child

Social Relevance of Christian teachings

- Jesus put caring for those in need before religious rules

- Christians today reflect Jesus' teaching in their belief that the Church is the body of Christ on Earth

- Doctrine of Incarnation: Through Jesus, God = Immanent & fully involved in the world

Liberationist Approaches

Analyse the situation of the poor / oppressed & then use the gospel to challenge the causes of this poverty / oppression.

Locations of Liberationist Approach

- Central & Southern America

- Britain

Liberationist Approach: Central & Southern America

- Originated in late 20th Century

- Attempt to seek justice for the extreme poverty caused by political oppression led to two different approaches

- Liberationist approach saw some leaders of Catholic Church join force with secular protest groups in order to force change

- These leaders saw violent action as only way of removing corruption & establishing justice for the poor

- Archbishop Oscar Romero denounced El Salvador's government's oppression of poor & violation of human rights, which led to his assassination in 1980 & resulting international awareness

Preferential Option for the Poor

- Catholic teaching

- A preferential love for the poor

- Allows one to give priority to the needs of the poor, and to commit to transforming unjust social structures that are the causes of poverty

Liberationist Approach: Britain

- Also originated in late 20th Century

- Several reports showing high levels of poverty & deprivation, including "Faith in the City" were published by C of E

- As a result of "Faith in the City", C of E set up the Church Urban Fund, which gave grants to both secular & religious plants around to tackle the problem

- Christians of all denominations continue to take responsibility for the secular wellbeing of society in a range of ways

- This includes food banks, day centres for the housebound and provision of hot meals, clothing, etc. for the homeless