development, where the various stages between an ape-like crea-
ture and modern humans are shown as following one another in
strict succession. Yet this image of a single linear progression
is actually very misleading, failing to account, for example, for
the coexistence for many centuries of humans belonging to the
Neanderthal and Homo sapienslineages. Such popular misun-
derstandings of scientific theory are indicative of the reality that,
while there certainly exists an objective body of scientific data,
its interpretation is prone to human misunderstanding (Fortey
1997: 180). This may lead to wilful and dangerous distortion: for
example, the racist doctrines of Nazism and white supremacist
movements have often justified themselves on the basis of what
they have claimed to be scientific data (see Peukert 1994 on the
Nazis). Anyone who argued that science should be banned from
schools for these and other pernicious misapplications would be
subject to ridicule, and rightly so. It seems to me equally mistaken
to argue that the study of religions should be suppressed because
their tenets too have been used to fan the flames of hatred.
Attempts to eradicate religion from the educational system
are indicative also of a particular cultural bias. The perceived
decline of religion outlined earlier in this chapter appears to
have been most precipitous in the modern industrialized nations,
especially in western Europe and north America (although gener-
alizations are risky, and there are important differences between- and within – these two regions: B. Wilson 1990: 572–80). In
these cultural contexts, it may be much easier to take the view
that religion is an increasingly marginal phenomenon. Yet such a
view ignores the demonstrable reality that in many parts of the
world religion is not on the retreat at all, but remains an important
facet of people’s lives and identities.
Studies of religious demographics suggest that while
the twentieth century certainly saw an extraordinary rise in the
number of people who, for various reasons, might be termed ‘non-
religious’, it has also seen most religions continue to flourish –
and even enjoy a resurgence (Geertz 2000: 172–8). Hinduism and
Islam in particular have increased, largely through population
WHAT IS EARLY CHRISTIANITY?
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