Against the Grain Close Encounters with Ross Douthat
Jan 20, 2026
Ross Douthat, a New York Times columnist and author of *Believe*, delves into the evolving landscape of belief in America. He discusses the intriguing rise of spiritual alternatives like tarot and astrology as traditional organized religion wanes. Douthat analyzes the emerging fascination with UFOs and AI as potential new forms of spirituality. He also highlights an unexpected interest in Catholicism among Gen Z on elite campuses. With fresh perspectives, he poses thought-provoking questions about the future of faith in a changing world.
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Liminal Religious Resurgence
- America isn't undergoing a full religious revival but is in a liminal zone of renewed interest in belief.
- Disaffiliation has slowed and some cultural elites show rising curiosity without mass churchgoing.
The Return Of '70s-Style Woo-Woo
- Alternative spiritualities like tarot, astrology, and psychedelics have grown in the last 10–15 years.
- These practices often bleed into people who still retain loose ties to institutional religion.
AI As Quasi-Religious Frontier
- New technological zones, especially AI, carry quasi-religious elements and cultic practices in Silicon Valley.
- People look to AI, aliens, or plants for transcendence when liberal progress feels stalled.
