Few ideas have gained as much momentum in recent years as the claim that Western civilisation is illegitimate because it is built on “settler colonialism.” The argument is simple: European settlers displaced indigenous peoples, therefore the entire system is morally corrupt and must be dismantled.
It’s an emotionally powerful claim. It resonates with people who care about justice. But it’s also incomplete — and dangerously so.
Settler colonialism is a historical reality. But destroying Western civilisation will not heal the past. It will only destabilise the present. To move forward, we need a deeper conversation — one that includes history, citizenship, cultural identity, and biblical wisdom.
What Settler Colonialism Is — And What It Did
Settler colonialism refers to the establishment of permanent European populations in lands already inhabited by indigenous peoples. It involved:
- displacement
- disease
- cultural disruption
- conflict
- loss of land and sovereignty
These harms are real. They deserve recognition, lament, and where possible, restitution. But they are not the whole story.
Western civilisation also brought:
- democratic governance
- rule of law
- modern medicine
- infrastructure
- education
- protections for minorities
- the abolition of slavery
- the concept of universal human dignity
These contributions have improved the lives of indigenous and non‑indigenous peoples alike. The question is not whether harm occurred — it did. The question is whether dismantling the entire system would produce a better outcome. It wouldn’t.
A Biblical Lens: Justice, Forgiveness, and the Weight of History
The Bible speaks honestly about injustice, wrongdoing, and the responsibility of nations. But it also offers a framework for dealing with historical harm that is far more constructive than perpetual grievance.
1. The Bible affirms justice — but warns against endless vengeance
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people.” — Leviticus 19:18
Justice matters. But vengeance destroys. A society cannot survive if it is built on the idea that the sins of the past must be endlessly repaid by people who did not commit them.
2. The Bible teaches personal responsibility
“The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.” — Ezekiel 18:20
This is a direct challenge to the idea that people living today must pay for the sins of their ancestors. The Bible does not support inherited guilt.
3. The Bible commands forgiveness — not historical amnesia
“Forgive, as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness does not mean pretending the past didn’t happen. It means refusing to let the past poison the future. Forgiveness is not a political slogan. It is a moral necessity for social cohesion.
4. What about reparations?
The Bible does affirm restitution — but always in specific, direct, personal cases.
- If you stole a sheep, you returned a sheep (Exodus 22).
- If you caused harm, you compensated the person you harmed.
But the Bible never commands:
- generational reparations
- payments for actions centuries old
- collective guilt
- punishing descendants for ancestral wrongdoing
Biblical justice is targeted, proportional, and personal — not abstract, endless, or collective.
The Real Challenge: Social Cohesion in a Diverse Nation
Instead of tearing down Western civilisation, the real task is this:
How do we build a nation where multiple ethnic identities can flourish within a shared civic framework?
This requires two commitments:
1. A Common Citizenship
A functioning nation needs:
- shared laws
- shared institutions
- a common civic identity
- a common public language
This is not cultural oppression. It is the foundation of social stability.
2. The Preservation of Ethnic Identity
At the same time, people should be free to preserve:
- their languages
- their customs
- their traditions
- their values
But — and this is crucial — the responsibility for cultural preservation lies primarily with the community that values it, not with the entire nation. Culture survives through practice, not legislation.
The Hard Truth: Not All Customs Are Compatible With Modern Citizenship
Every culture — Western, indigenous, or otherwise — has practices that cannot coexist with:
- the rule of law
- equal citizenship
- human rights
- public safety
For example:
- deadly vengeance for breaches of honour
- ritual violence
- human sacrifice
- tribal punishments outside the legal system
These practices may have historical meaning, but they cannot be part of a modern nation‑state. A cohesive society requires that all citizens submit to the same legal framework, even while maintaining their cultural identity.
This is not cultural erasure. It is the basis of peaceful coexistence.
Culture Is Not Lost — Unless a Community Lets It Die
One of the most damaging myths in modern politics is the idea that culture disappears unless the state actively preserves it. That’s simply not true.
Cultures survive because:
- families teach their children
- communities practice their traditions
- languages are spoken at home
- values are passed down
- rituals are maintained
Culture is resilient — when people care enough to preserve it. It is not the responsibility of the entire nation to maintain every cultural tradition. It is the responsibility of the people who value it.
So Should Western Civilisation Be Destroyed?
No.
Western civilisation should not be destroyed because of settler colonialism. It should be improved, refined, and held accountable — but not dismantled.
Why?
- it provides the legal and moral framework that protects indigenous rights
- it offers the freedoms that allow cultural preservation
- it creates the prosperity that benefits all citizens
- it upholds the rule of law that prevents cycles of vengeance
- it protects minorities from majoritarian oppression
- it enables peaceful coexistence in diverse societies
Destroying Western civilisation would not heal historical wounds. It would deepen them.
The path forward is not destruction. It is reconciliation. It is forgiveness. It is shared citizenship. It is cultural preservation through commitment, not coercion.
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