Christianity’s impact

I refer to Jacqueline Calleja’s letter ‘Legacy of Christianity’ (September 8).

She highlights Christianity’s contributions to dignity for slaves, the status of women and the concept of forgiveness but overlooks the broader and more nuanced impact of Christianity on society. For instance, the positive changes attributed to Christianity often occurred in the context of broader social and political transformations, rather than being solely a result of Christian teachings.

Her claim that Christianity “took Rome by storm” and radically improved the status of slaves and women may be seen as an oversimplification. The transformation of Roman society was gradual and involved complex interactions between different social, political and religious forces. Christianity’s impact on slavery and women’s rights was limited and evolved over time, influenced by various factors beyond religious teachings.

Calleja presents Christian ideals of fraternity, equality and liberty as precursors to modern concepts, but one might argue that these concepts were also present in other philosophical and ethical systems long before Christianity and were not unique to it. The interpretation of Christian teachings as inherently leading to these values might be seen as selective and not fully representative of their historical application.

While the ideal of forgiveness is central to Christianity, an atheist perspective might question the practical application of this teaching throughout history. Christianity has been involved in numerous conflicts, inquisitions and persecutions, which contradict the ideal of unconditional forgiveness.

The suggestion that world history could have been different if Christian teachings on retribution had been heeded might be viewed as speculative and not fully accounting for the complexities of historical events.

She acknowledges Christian atrocities but frames them as betrayals of true Christian teachings. I would like to argue that these actions were not necessarily contradictions of Christian doctrine but, rather, the result of the complex interplay between religious, political and social motivations. This perspective might challenge the notion that historical atrocities were mere deviations from the core teachings of Christianity.

Christianity has been involved in numerous conflicts, inquisitions and persecutions, which contradict the ideal of unconditional forgiveness. Photo: Shutterstock.com

From a different perspective, Christianity has been associated with numerous historical atrocities, such as the crusades, the inquisition and various witch hunts. These events often involved significant violence, persecution and the suppression of dissenting views, which contradicts the teachings of love and forgiveness attributed to Christianity.

Christian institutions have historically persecuted non-Christians, including pagans, Jews, Muslims and, later, religious reformers and secular thinkers.

The forced conversions and punitive measures against those deemed heretical highlight a darker aspect of Christianity’s spread, and Christianity has often been antagonistic to scientific progress and intellectual freedom. The Church’s opposition to figures like Galileo Galilei and its role in censoring scientific works reflect periods where religious dogma impeded scientific inquiry and educational advancement.

While Christianity has been credited with improving the status of women in some contexts, it has also reinforced traditional gender roles and social hierarchies. Many Christian doctrines historically justified the subjugation of women and marginalised groups, shaping societal norms that perpetuated inequality.

Christian missionary activities were often intertwined with colonial expansion, leading to the suppression of indigenous cultures and religions. The imposition of Christian values and practices on colonised peoples contributed to the erosion of diverse cultural traditions and the exploitation of native populations.

It has to be acknowledged that certain Christian doctrines and interpretations have contributed to moral and ethical issues, such as the stigmatisation of LGBTQ+ individuals, opposition to reproductive rights and the promotion of punitive approaches to morality. These aspects can be seen as having negative consequences for individual rights and social progress.

The negative impact of Christianity is seen in its historical and ongoing contributions to violence, oppression and the restriction of intellectual and social freedoms.

While acknowledging the positive contributions attributed to Christianity, this perspective emphasises the need to critically assess and address the full scope of its impact on history and society. 

Peter Paul Dingli – San Diego, California, US