How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization,Used

Product DescriptionIn this magisterial work, leading cultural critic Mary Eberstadt delivers an influential new theory about the decline of religion in the Western world. The conventional wisdom is that the West first experienced religious decline, followed by the decline of the family. Eberstadt turns this standard account on its head. Marshaling an impressive array of research, from fascinating historical data on family decline in preRevolutionary France to contemporary popular culture both in the United States and Europe, Eberstadt shows the reverse is also true: the undermining of the family has further undermined Christianity itself.Drawing on sociology, history, demography, theology, literature, and many other sources, Eberstadt shows that family decline and religious decline have gone hand in hand in the Western world in a way that has not been understood beforethat they are, as she puts it in a striking new image summarizing the books thesis, the double helix of society, each dependent on the strength of the other for successful reproduction.In sobering final chapters, Eberstadt then lays out the enormous ramifications of the mutual demise of family and faith in the West. While it is fashionable in some circles to applaud the decline of both religion and the nuclear family, there are, as Eberstadt reveals, enormous social, economic, civic, and other costs attendant on both declines. Her conclusion considers this compelling question: whether the economic and demographic crisis now roiling Europe and spreading to America will have the unintentional result of reviving the family as the most viable alternative to the failed welfare statefallout that could also lay the groundwork for a religious revival as well.How the West Really Lost God is a startlingly original account of how secularization happens and a sweeping brief about why everyone should care. A book written for agnostics as well as believers, atheists as well as none of the above, it will permanently change the way every reader understands the two institutions that have hitherto undergirded Western civilization as we know itfamily and faithand the fundamental nature of the relationship between those two pillars of history.ReviewAn absolutely brilliant and strikingly fresh portrait of the doublehelix of faith and family, coupled with a potentially gamechanging analysis of the why and how of secularization, all written with the sparkle and empathy that characterize the work of one of Americas premier social analysts.' George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, D.C.You cannot understand the real philosophical problems of the Westwhich have been mounting for 40 yearswithout reading Mary Eberstadts new book How the West Really Lost God.Jonathan V. Last, author of What to Expect When No One's Expecting: America's Coming Demographic DisasterHow the West Really Lost God is a clear, compelling and ultimately convincing presentation of the relationship between faith and family. Its not a call to action. But it doesnt need to be. The Church has already told Christians what to do. The book just dispels any lingering doubts about the necessity of doing it. Emily Stimpson, Our Sunday VisitorEvery Christian leader whos interested in engaging todays culture (and who shouldnt be?) should have this book on his or her desk. Her research and historical perspectives are fascinating, and Im confident that shell give you enormous new information that will help you engage todays nonbelieving culture more effectively. Phil Cooke, The Christian News Journal'Her short, elegantly written book repeatedly shows that strong families help to keep the religious practice alive and that too many people see a causal connection running exclusively in the opposite direction.'The EconomistA short column cannot do justice to the wide and deep reading and all the evidence Eberstadt has marshaled f