The role of "church" in our culture? 
Our Church accepts the premise, expressed by Aristotle, long before and without Jesus, that "a mutual benevolence mutually known" is the basis of civility. Think about it: willing (doing, not just talk) the good, the absence of harm for one another is the basis of sustainable community.  
The option is one (or few) dominating the other(s). It assumes that  "other(s)" are tools, resources, disposable, to be used and/or that "other(s) are incompetent, incapable of reciprocal "benevolence". 
I can't speak for other faiths, but, our Christ tradition teaches three principle cultural premises:
1. the Aristotle notion of civility (2+2=4) is assumed and expanded to go beyond to assist those incapable of "benevolence", those for whom survival is paramount, assisting them, risking to fullness of inclusion (2+2=5)
2. that both are now of divine value
3. Teach 1&2, and ensure that the option of domination, the proclivity to "use" is exposed & resisted.
Novel