Recent polling indicates a potential revival of Christianity as the number of those identifying with no religion may be declining. High-profile cultural figures are publicly converting to Christianity, sparking discussions on its cultural relevance. The intertwining of religion and politics is explored, raising questions about its impact on the Church. Listeners seek ways to share Catholic teachings with others, emphasizing the faith's positive aspects and rich traditions. Hopeful signs in diverse global church experiences are also examined.
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insights INSIGHT
20th Century Spiritual Break
The 20th century and World Wars caused a spiritual break in Europe, deeply affecting Christianity's decline.
The rise of secularism from universities further accelerated religious disaffiliation by the 60s and 70s in the U.S.
insights INSIGHT
Peak of Religious 'Nones'?
The rise of those identifying with no religion ('nones') may have peaked and begun declining in 2023.
This reversal is notable amid decades of steady growth in religious disaffiliation.
insights INSIGHT
Men Reengaging with Religion
Recent trends show men are now more likely than women to remain affiliated with religion.
This may be due to masculine appeals in new religious apologetics and figures like Jordan Peterson.
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Some recent polling suggests that the number of those who identify with no religion has hit a ceiling, and it may even be declining. At the same time, a number of high-profile cultural influencers—even some formerly hostile to the faith—have either converted to Christianity or announced that they now identify as “cultural Christians.” Moreover, religion and politics, once considered verboten to mix, now seem to find themselves deeply intertwined.
How do we assess these cultural and political developments from an evangelical perspective? Is it really the case that society is becoming more receptive to Christianity? Are all these developments positive for the Church, or should we take a more cautious approach to evaluating what all this means for the future?
A listener asks what he can share with non-Catholics to perhaps change their minds.
00:00 | Intro 01:32 | Bishop Barron’s update on the diocesan pastoral center 02:24 | Tracing the decline of Christianity in the West 06:07 | Assessing the decline of “nones” today 09:59 | Men, women, and trends of religious disaffiliation 13:45 | Public conversions and the indispensability of Christianity in culture 18:46 | Christianity, moral principles, and the legal system 23:09 | Is there broader cultural significance for the National Eucharistic Revival? 24:26 | Hopeful signs for Christianity in conversation 27:54 | Is interest in a broad Christianity simply good? 28:59 | What we can learn from the African and Eastern Churches 30:42 | Listener question 33:00 | Join the Word on Fire Institute
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The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture