GD POLITICS

The Number Of Secular Americans Has Plateaued

Apr 28, 2025

Join Ryan Burge, a professor at Eastern Illinois University and former Baptist pastor, as he delves into the changing landscape of religion in America. He examines the plateauing number of secular Americans and the stability of Christian demographics. The conversation covers the intersection of religion and politics, especially among different faiths. Ryan also discusses Denmark's unique community model, contrasting low church attendance with strong societal bonds, and explores the challenges of fostering community in a secular world.

46:00

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Episode guests

Ryan Burge

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Quick takeaways

The plateauing number of secular Americans suggests a shift in community-building methods, moving away from traditional religious institutions to new social connections.

The unique role of the Pope highlights the complexities of modern Catholicism, revealing a gap between official teachings and individual beliefs among followers.

Deep dives

Vacation Interruptions and Technical Challenges

The host shares a humorous account of being on vacation in Madrid when a major power outage affected not just the city but a large part of Spain and France. This unexpected event led to a lack of internet and power, interrupting plans to record accompanying video content for the podcast. Luckily, the episode had been recorded prior to the outage, allowing the host to deliver the episode as intended. The connection between personal experiences and broader situations emphasizes the unpredictability of life, especially when attempting to balance work and leisure.

Intro

2min

Navigating Papal Transitions and Religious Identity

15min

Shifting Religious Landscapes in America

12min

Religious Trends and Political Affiliation in America

2min

Political Shifts and the Quest for Community in Secular America

3min

Community Beyond Belief: Denmark's Model

10min

Reevaluating the Impact of Religion on Youth Behavior

2min

There’s rarely more attention paid to religion than when one pope passes and the College of Cardinals gathers to select another. Maybe it’s because the grandeur and secrecy of it all makes for a compelling news story, maybe it’s because 1.4 billion Catholics around the world really do care about the outcome, or maybe the weight of a millennia old tradition captures our imagination in a rapidly changing world.

Whatever the reason, it gives us on the GD POLITICS podcast an opportunity to reflect on the role that religion plays in society and politics today. And it’s a pretty complex story, at least in the US. After a rapid rise of people who don’t consider themselves part of any religion over the past 20 years, that trend line seems to have plateaued or maybe even reversed slightly.

On today’s podcast, I’m joined by someone who spends his days pouring over just about all the data out there on religion in America. Ryan Burge is a professor at Eastern Illinois University, he writes the Graphs About Religion Substack and until very recently was himself a Baptist Pastor.

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