What's the most important thing we've lost since the death of Christianity in the UK?

Question

Christianity has pretty much died out in the now secular UK, we're now the 4th least religious nation on Earth.
This has caused many changes in society, some for better and some for worse. This question addresses the things we've lost, rather than what we have gained.

Here's the biggest things I can think of-

1) Since most people don't congrigate in church anymore, they don't need to associate with neighbours who they share very little in common with. Without these forced social gatherings, the sense of community has been damaged. Can this be replaced?

2) Prayer is often the practice of holding other people in your thoughts, which itself is an exercise in empathy. Is it possible to replace this forced empathy which encourages people to feel sympathy for others?

3) Not everyone agrees with the law, but religion teaches shared views of morality. Television (ie soap operas) dishes out the fables nowadays, is this a viable alternative? What about when the Internet has destroyed TV?

Actually Malkus I'd say that freedom is something we've gained. The main objections to Islam are actually about their lack of freedom. Unless of course you think that freedom is a bad thing, then you should respect Islam for remaining vigilant in the face of freedom.

americanhero, I agree with you completely. However, it doesn't answer my question.

witchy boy, I don't think going back to our "roots" is a good idea. I'm looking for ideas about progress after religion, not seeking to go back to the dark ages. Witchcraft, along with religion has no place after the age of reason.

lemur, problem is I get a bus or taxi 2 miles to to be surrounded by students and people of similar taste, rather than be in my local with neighbours and farmers who I'd rather avoid.
I don't claim empathy doesn't come naturally, but it does need to be exercised! People don't feel empathy toward those they don't like (ie criminals, paedophiles etc), but Jesus teaches people to love everyone unconditionally. I'm arguing that losing this unconditional love is a bad thing for society.
Lastly, TV exposes people to ideas of right and wrong and does have a huge social impact. Since racism was banned from the media it has been greatly reduced in society, it would be ignorant to say otherwise.

Pangel,
1) That's good, and I'd like to see how this can be encouraged. I think local websites could also help, southport.gb.com
2) see my answer above.. it's not that people lack empathy, it's that they don't share it unconditionally like an ideal Christian should.
3) I've never been in trouble with the law either, but the law doesn't accurately describe the moral beliefs of a lot of society. Look at how many people take drugs, avoid taxes, make fraudulent benefit claims or justify violence.
A good answer though, thank you :-)

one_cross, MS, answer man, Liam C. We're the 4th least religious country in the world, and I'm pretty sure more religious people were counted than that actually exist. My parents put CofE on their census form out of tradition, they're atheists. Also you ignored my question, so consider your answers ignored.

kath, well I don't think you can say "morality" because everyone has their own ethics, they just aren't all in sync anymore.
The social stigma of divorce, single and teenage parenthood are a good point though. We need to replace this stigma with something else.

Darkens, nice answer, given me a lot to think about. I suppose the invention of the airoplane will eventually destroy patriotism and nations in the same way that the motor vehicle has destroyed local society.

crimson rambler, I suppose the cornerstones of 'social conscience' have always been patriotism, pride in tradition, and of course religion. However, I reject all of these as separatist evils of the world. Working social conscience into a society with diverse political and ethical viewpoints will be very hard! I agree it's something we've lost and needs to be aquired again for the good of everyone. Thank you :-)

Angelica, clubs, interest groups and resident's associations tend to be more for the lonely than the social majority. Most people just hang around with their friends and families.

DENIS C, some good points although I disagree with most of them. Materialism is only a poor substitute for religion because it isn't an institution, we also need institutions.
But yeah, you actually answered my question, thanks.

hopeof kingdom, I'm free to cherry-pick the best bits from the teachings of Jesus, but ditch the bad bits. Jesus wouldn't have supported democracy, equal rights or freedom of speech. He was revolutionary in his time, but far from an ideal moral role model for today's world.

Answer 1

Respect has gone
not only the young but the elders,
morality is rife in our society,
Materialism is a poor substatute for God.
Family's are breaking up
divorce is common
Murders are common
teenage thugs are ruling the streets
Law has broken down
And you say'
we don't want to go back to the dark ages of religion

You among them will shake your heads and stubbornly
disagree with me' because you hate religion
of that' your destructive society will rule your lives.
Not the Ethiopia you thought it would be

Answer 2

I don't believe that social interaction, empathy or morality are dependant on religion. Indeed I would argue that these traits and practices are present in all people who are not sociopathic or in other ways disturbed. Btw, this is being written from ireland which is still a much more religious country than the uk.

I do think that the disintegration of community is a very serious issue. However, I think that transportation which allows people to travel long distances to work etc is creating a bigger hole than religion in this sense.

I am an atheist who doesn't bemoan the lack of religion in society but would be hard pressed to argue that the increasing secularity of society is an improvement on the past

Answer 3

Wow, you particularly misinterpreted that. The wise that's relating are the non-believers. merely as a number of those wisenhiemers of today can not make certain the deeper meaning of astounding new wine into historical wine skins or stitching a sparkling patch on an historical garment, or blending 2 specific forms of ingredients. They assume they're clever as quickly as they make their stupid comments approximately it consistently. So, perform a little greater sorting out previously than you demonstrate how virtuous and clever you're.

Answer 4

Christianity dead in the UK? Surely not. Its influence may have diminished but it still has a following and it is still part of the Establishment.

Our loss of sense of community in many places is due to other factors like the economy changing in ways that lead to the breakup of the community and the dominance of monetarist values over those like having a 'social conscience' (have you noticed that nobody talks about this any more?).

The decline of Christianity is a symptom of this, not its cause.

Answer 5

I dont go to church nor does any of my family or friends
but let me address each one of those you have pointed out

1) rather than forced social gathering , I have voluntarily joined some groups in my area that help people in my community with various issues
2) empathy cannot be forced .... I feel for people because I have experienced some things for myself and would not wish to see others hurt in similar ways
3) I have never been in trouble with the police in my life nor have any of my family and friends

Answer 6

I don't think we have lost anything. If you wish to go to church you can. Morality has nothing to do with any religion. People still get together in clubs, interest groups and resident's associations.
We don;t get the problems they get in middle America with extremest christian sects and lets not even mention Sudan.

Answer 7

There may be disadvantages to not having religion, but how can you justify people running around like idiots as in the U.S. with idiotic beliefs? And aren't there more disadvantages from religion than advantages in the U.S.?

Answer 8

Christianity for you may not exist but that has nothing to do with reality. I belong to a very active ecclesia (church). It holds the teachings of Jesus as vital.

Jesus himself expressed his belief in God, his Father. He told his hearers that if they had believed in Moses, David and the prophets they would have believed him.

The media would like to persuade people that there is no God but one day they will find their mistake.

The result is that everyone does 'that which is right in his or her eyes' which led to the flood many moons ago.

Fellowship with people who are like minded and believe God and his plan and purpose is wonderful. May I recommend it to everyone.

Answer 9

Hopefully the hatred toward past hate teached by the bible.
Just go back to folk religion and witchcraft. I don't see why you can't go back to your olden roots.

Age of reason? You can't be serious?! How is using plants, herbs, psychological advantages and ability to change the way your life is through psyco-matistic usage...not reasonable?
It has no dogma...it doesn't condemn...you don't HAVE to have deity. It's wonderful to have back again.

You need to see Witchcraft at a more scientific viewpoint than a bunch of d&d-ers who go a little too far.

Answer 10

1) Go to a pub.
2)Empathy comes naturally it is not forced.
3) TV is not real, nor the internet.