Christian Religion in Contemporary European Culture: Through the Lenses of Joseph Ratzinger
Christian Religion in Contemporary European Culture: Through the Lenses of Joseph Ratzinger

Summary/Abstract: The article is divided in two parts. The first part reconstructs the stance of the Catholic Church regarding the role of religion in culture with reference to the views of Joseph Ratzinger. It also presents the understanding of culture and religion upon which this stance has been based. Moreover it sets forth arguments with which Ratzinger has substantiated the thesis on unique nature of the Christianity and its importance for the cultural identity of Europe.The second part of the article asks the question of actual consequences of elimination of Christianity from contemporary European culture. It is pointed out that the culture of Europe can be no longer the common way of expressing values which secure personal development of a human being. Today the culture of Europe is more and more often reduced to the role of one of the many sources of experience providing for ‘feeling good’ and pleasure.

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