A grim look at Europe and ourselves

I recently came across a book review for The New Vichy Syndrome: Why European Intellectuals Surrender to Barbarism. The author, Theodore Dalrymple, looks at some of the problems now facing Europe -- its demographic decline, its aging population, its bureaucratization, its inability to stand up to Muslim immigrants who threaten its political and theological foundation. His conclusion has a lot to do with loss of Christian faith on the continent of Europe.

The author's overall point is that Europeans have succumbed to purposelessness, anxiety, sublimation, and self-doubt. They review European history without enthusiasm -- they discount cultural and historical achievements while playing up failings and catastrophes. He says two world wars caused this along with loss of faith.

Ideas have consequences, and this is true for Europe today. As a Christian, I find it sad but not surprising that Europe's sickness can be traced to the continent's loss of belief in the Judeo-Christian God. What does the secular world have to offer if God is dead? Nothing important. Instead, the modern idea is to go for the gusto now because this is all you get. Narcissism rules -- buy it all, have as many extreme experiences as you can, don't take time to think about the emptiness inside you. Of course, consuming and living on the edge can't satisfy for long.

This attitude also produces a different view of children. No longer are they seen as future inheritors of wonderful things or as gifts from God. To Europeans, they are obstructions to the enjoyment of life, a drain on resources. No wonder they are having fewer and fewer children as they desperately focus on themselves.

But, as St. Augustine said, we all have a need for God. Consider all the things that have been elevated to take the place of God in the minds of Europeans -- Marxism, environmentalism, feminism, political correctness, multiculturalism. These have failed, leaving Europeans more dissatisfied than ever.

The sad part about his book is that the author has no solutions. The book review ends with these depressing words: "at least he writes beautiful books, which is something." But is it "something"? I would say no. What good is a beautiful book if it expresses a terrible truth?

Part of the terrible truth is that America is heading down the path of Europe. Greece comes to mind with its economic mess not too far removed from ours. Look at the hedonism here, the refusal to grow up, the sexual promiscuity, the inability to confront Islamic terrorism and call it what it is, the elevation of movie actors and rock singers to God-like status.

Is there a solution? Yes, but it will take a moral, political, and social upheaval to reverse these trends. It has to start with each one of us, renewing our faith and confidently sharing it with others. That's why apologetics has been important to me -- there are good reasons for the Christian faith. I hope you keep reading this blog because I will try to encourage you in your faith. It's not too late for us, and it's not too late for Europe.