Episode 528: Secularism Isn’t Working

The Wednesday Conversation

In the early 2000s, New Atheism was all the rage. Many people left faith behind, convinced they didn't need religion. But it turns out society hasn’t been able to meaningfully replicate the benefits of church. In a recent New York Times article, Lauren Jackson describes how secularism sought to build transcendent community through means like yoga, CrossFit, SoulCycle, meditation and more. Despite these efforts, the data show that there is overwhelming empirical support for the value of being at a house of worship on a regular basis. In this episode, we discuss Jackson's article, and especially her poignant conclusion: "My spiritual longing hasn't been sated by secularism... I want a god."
(0:00) Introductions: Camille from Long Island’s Donut Drop
(2:00) Why America Is Revisiting Faith
(5:05) How Secularism Has Tried (and Failed) to Meet Our Needs
(16:57) Longing for “Inconvenient” Community
(22:31) Christian Community Provides the Meaning We Long For
(28:50) Be More Outgoing About What You Believe
Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/style/religion-america.html