Erik Strandness argues that the flaws of a materialistic, secular worldview do not offer hope or meaning when compared to theism

Premier Unbelievable aired a debate last year: Does secular humanism or Christianity offer a brighter future? Hosted by Aylesbury Vale Youth For Christ, the discussion was between secular humanist Neil McKain, religious studies teacher and vice-chairman of Humanists UK, and Christian apologist Sara Stevenson, writer, speaker and theologian from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Here are some reflections on this fascinating discussion: 

Rumours of Christianity’s death have been greatly exaggerated 

McKain began his opening remarks by painting a bleak picture for the future of Christianity, attributing its decline to the inability of the church to keep in step with the march of what he perceives to be cultural progress. He pointed to the dramatic changes in the attitudes of young people towards cohabitation, same-sex relationships, and abortion, as evidence for the abandonment of traditional Christian beliefs. These controversial issues may contribute to the rise of the “Nones,” the demographic that does not identify with any religion. However, suggesting that this is evidence for waning belief in God is problematic because while they reject institutional religion, studies have found that the “Nones” continue to be as spiritual as ever. Decline in church attendance, therefore… (Register to read the rest of the article)