postchristliche

Postchristliche is a German adjective used to describe a cultural, social, or intellectual condition that follows or transcends a predominantly Christian framework. It is used to describe societies in which Christian churches no longer hold central political authority or moral consensus, yet Christian heritage continues to influence culture, law, and public ethics. The term is commonly encountered in sociology, theology, and cultural studies.

In German-speaking scholarship, the concept often appears as postchristliche Gesellschaft or postchristliches Zeitalter. It is linked to processes of secularization, liberalization, pluralism, and religious diversification that intensified from the 18th century onward, particularly in Western Europe. It denotes a shift from a church-centered to a plural, secular public sphere, where religious institutions compete with or recede before other frameworks.

The term is debated. Some scholars treat it as a descriptive diagnosis of a historical period; others critique it as implying a linear progression away from Christianity or as conflating cultural Christian influence with religious belief. Critics argue that post-Christian societies still retain Christian moral concepts, symbols, and norms in law, education, and art, making the label imprecise. Alternatives include secularization, pluralism, or post-secular society.

In practice, postchristlich is used to analyze contemporary policy debates—bioethics, education, and social policy—where Christian institutions have diminished direct authority but continue to shape public discourse. It also appears in discussions about religious-secular coexistence, the role of religion in identity, and the survivals of Christian ethics outside institutional church life.