Sam Reimer, professor of sociology and author of Caught in the Current, explores how authority, belief and behaviour have changed over the years and the impact this has had on faith

As recently as the 1950s, Western culture supported Christian orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right behaviour). It was conventional to go to church each Sunday. Now only about five per cent of Britons attend weekly. 

Most people believed in God and considered themselves Christians. Now, Westerners are disaffiliating from religion in droves, becoming “nonverts” or “religious nones”. 75 years ago, church leaders would speak, and the people and the state would take them seriously. 

The Church used to stand in judgement of society, like an Old Testament prophet pointing his finger… (Register to read the rest of the article)