

Is Traditional Religion Doomed?
43 snips Aug 5, 2025
Christian Smith, a prominent sociologist and director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, examines the significant decline of traditional religion in America. He discusses how younger generations are increasingly identifying as 'spiritual but not religious,' influenced by societal changes and scandals in organized religion. Smith highlights the impact of globalization, rising secularism, and shifting values, revealing how these cultural trends are reshaping the spiritual landscape and raising questions about the future of faith.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Traditional Religion Decline
- Traditional religion in the U.S. is declining in belief, participation, and respect across multiple measures.
- This decline is well-established and no longer an exception compared to Europe.
Varied Declines in Religious Dimensions
- Different aspects of religiosity decline at varying rates, with affiliation and investment in institutions falling most sharply.
- Meanwhile, some spiritual and New Age practices grow, suggesting a shift rather than pure decline.
Generational Shift Drives Decline
- Decline in religiosity is driven by generational replacement with each new generation less religious than the one before.
- As older, more religious generations pass, the trend toward less religious affiliation is self-reinforcing and likely to accelerate.