The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Is America losing its religion?

Oct 20, 2022

Join Reza Aslan, a renowned scholar of religions and bestselling author, as he dives into the shifting tides of faith in America. He and Sean Illing explore the growing divide between faith and politics, and the rise of 'spiritual but not religious' identities. Aslan discusses the complexities of contemporary beliefs, touching on nihilism and the cultural impact of shows like 'The Leftovers.' They also dissect how movements like QAnon mirror traditional religions, revealing the intricate relationship between spirituality and social dynamics.

54:13

Episode guests

Reza Aslan

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Religion Is a Language

03:21

The Problem With Religion or God?

01:32

A More Spiritual & Less Religious Nation

01:05

Intro

2min

Faith and Fiction in 'The Leftovers'

5min

Belief, Faith, and the Complexity of Religion

13min

Declining Religiosity in America

4min

The Evolving Landscape of American Religious Identity

14min

The Interplay of Religion and Politics

3min

Exploring the Religious Paradox of QAnon

4min

Religion as Identity in America

9min

Sean Illing talks with Reza Aslan, scholar of religions and author of multiple bestselling nonfiction works, to discuss the state of religion in America today. Sean and Reza discuss the relationship between politics and religion, why it can be hard to separate the emotional experiences of faith from the symbolic language of organized religion, and how new religious identities are being forged along principles of Christian nationalism.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area

Guest: Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan), author

References:

An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville by Reza Aslan (Norton; 2022)
The Leftovers TV series (HBO; 2014–2017)
"Can Religion & Reason Be Reconciled? | Reza Aslan & Sam Harris debate" (Jan. 25, 2007; C-SPAN YouTube)
Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study (Jan. 14, 2021)
The 2020 Census of American Religion (PRRI; July 8, 2021)
"'Pro-Life' Herschel Walker Paid for Girlfriend's Abortion" by Roger Sollenberger (The Daily Beast; Oct. 4)
President George W. Bush's remarks on the morning of Sept. 12, 2001: "This will be a monumental struggle of good versus evil. But good will prevail."

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Patrick Boyd
Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

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