Louise Perry and the surprising turn toward Christian wisdom

Louise Perry is a British journalist, author, and social commentator who has quickly become one of the most influential feminist voices of her generation. Her 2022 book, The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, made waves across political and ideological lines for its bold, data-driven critique of modern sexual norms. Unlike many culture critics, she writes not from a place of religious conservatism but from a deeply secular and feminist perspective. She worked in a rape crisis centre before becoming an author and argues that the promises of sexual liberation have disproportionately harmed women, leaving many vulnerable, disillusioned, and unsupported.

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In a recent video clip shared by Rev Steven Foster, vicar of St Aldates in Oxford, (@SteveFosterldn on Instagram), Louise Perry reveals something that may surprise both her supporters and critics: her atheism is softening. While she does not yet profess to believe in the supernatural truth of Christianity, she speaks candidly about how Christian culture, ethics, and institutions offer profound social benefits—especially for women and children. She goes so far as to say that she wants her own children to be exposed to Christian community life, suggesting that doing so would give them the “best possible chance” of becoming Christians themselves.

This revelation is striking, not only because Louise has long operated from a secular framework, but because her reasoning is entirely sociological.

This revelation is striking, not only because Louise has long operated from a secular framework, but because her reasoning is entirely sociological. She isn’t turning toward Christianity due to an emotional conversion experience, but because she has come to recognize the stabilizing and life-affirming power of Christian moral and cultural norms. In her own words, she seems compelled by the evidence, not the dogma. This nuance makes her comments all the more powerful, as they point to an emerging trend in Western culture: an openness among secular thinkers to reconsider the value of religion in public and private life.

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Steven Foster, who posted the clip, praised Louise as “the outstanding feminist author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution” and described her reflections as “fascinating.” He notes how indicative her shift is of this cultural moment, a time when even those who do not personally believe in Christianity are advocating for its moral and community frameworks, especially for the benefit of the next generation. He adds that he is witnessing a wider trend: families coming to church together, exploring faith as a household, and in many cases, finding genuine belief. He sees Louise’s openness not as an isolated anomaly but as part of a broader re-evaluation of Christianity’s relevance and strength in today’s fractured society.

He sees Louise’s openness not as an isolated anomaly but as part of a broader re-evaluation of Christianity’s relevance and strength in today’s fractured society.

The comments on Steven Foster’s Instagram post echo this sentiment. Many followers express awe and encouragement, remarking on how remarkable it is to hear someone of Perry’s public stature speak positively about the church. Others celebrate the honesty of her journey, noting that even if she hasn’t arrived at faith, she’s clearly walking toward it.

Louise Perry’s perspective does not reject feminism, but reframes it through a more traditional lens. Her critique of hookup culture, porn normalization, and liberal sexual ethics is grounded in her concern for women’s real-world wellbeing. She argues that what was once thought to be liberating has in fact become damaging, leaving women more exploited and unsupported than ever. In this light, Christianity, with its emphasis on monogamy, self-restraint, and family, begins to look not regressive, but refreshingly protective.

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What makes Louise Perry’s journey so culturally significant is that it offers a bridge, between secular realism and spiritual possibility. She is not preaching, but observing. She is not converting, but reconsidering. And in doing so, she’s giving voice to a growing number of people who may not yet believe in God but are deeply aware that something has gone wrong—and that the church might offer an answer worth revisiting.

As Steven Foster put it, this is a time to pray - for individuals, for families, and for a culture that may be, ever so slowly, finding its way back to faith.