"Moreover, behind this vague tendency to treat religion as a side issue in modern life, there exists a strong body of opinion that is actively hostile to Christianity and that regards the destruction of positive religion as absolutely necessary to the advance of modern culture"

In this quote, Christopher Dawson is highlighting a concerning pattern in modern society where faith is often viewed as a secondary or unimportant element of life. Nevertheless, he argues that there is a substantial group of people who actively oppose Christianity and think that getting rid of faith is essential for the development of modern culture. This recommends that there is a growing hostility towards religious beliefs and a belief that it is keeping back the development of society. Dawson's words serve as a caution versus neglecting or dismissing the function of religion in forming our culture and the possible consequences of actively attempting to eliminate it from our lives.