Faith for the Next Generation
Saving Christianity from the Cynics, Heretics and Self-Anointed “Saved”
Welcome to the Civic Way journal. This is the third essay in a four-part series on faith, politics and the future of the American experiment. The author, Bob Melville, is the founder of Civic Way, a nonprofit dedicated to good government, and a management consultant with over 45 years of experience improving public agencies.
"If anyone causes one of these little ones … to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”— Matthew 18:6
Introduction
Earlier this year, the Right Reverend Mariann Budde, the Bishop of Washington National Cathedral since 2011, sent the MAGA faithful into mouth-foaming convulsions. Her offense? In her January 21st sermon, Budde made a direct appeal to President Trump to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” including immigrants.
Despite their inane cries of “religious freedom” to advance their cause, fake Christians (see last essay) demanded the denial of Budde’s. They made bitter demands to censor, defrock and deport Budde and end tax exemptions for the Washington National Cathedral. Their rage shows how far many fake Christians have strayed from the very religious faith they purport to represent (see last essay).
Right-wing hate group attacks on Budde were the usual fare: “witch,” “instrument of Satan” and “mental rapist.” Right-wing fake Christian groups accused Budde of “woke ideology,” “socialism” and “heresy.” Straight from the phony fake Christian “religious freedom” playbook—discredit the faith of anyone who doesn’t share your politics. It’s time to examine these cynical attacks on true faith.
The Decline of Traditional Religion in America
During the 20th century, most Americans belonged to a traditional religion[i]. In recent decades, millions drifted away. By 2020, 64 percent of Americans affiliated with Christianity and six percent other religions (e.g., Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism)[ii]. The religiously unaffiliated—like secularists, agnostics and atheists—rose to 30 percent (higher for Americans under 50 or with postgraduate degrees)[iii].
Virtually every Christian domination is struggling. The Catholic Church is shrinking[iv]. Mainline Protestant (especially Episcopalian and Unitarian) membership has fallen. Evangelical churches have receded since the 1980s, but they remain the GOP’s most reliable voting bloc (and largest Protestant group). Two protestant sects have defied these trends—black evangelical churches and Pentecostalism[v].
Traditional religions will likely continue to bleed members. Per the Pew Research Center, Christians will likely shrink—and the religious unaffiliated will likely grow—as a percent of US population. While there are many potential scenarios, Pew projects that by 2070, the Christian affiliated may only comprise 35 to 54 percent of citizens and the religiously unaffiliated as much as 34 to 52 percent.
None of this means that Americans are abandoning faith. The US is culturally, even stubbornly, spiritual, especially compared to other developed countries. What it more likely means is that Americans, while leaving traditional religions, are becoming more curious about—and willing to change—their faith, a conclusion supported by several sources, including the Pew Research Center.
Understanding Traditional Religion’s Decline
There are many reasons for the decline of traditional religions in America.
One reason is the failure of some traditional church leadership. The Catholic Church, for example, has been slow to punish priests for sexual abuse. The leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), America’s biggest Protestant denomination, buried sex abuse claims for over 20 years (the SBC lost well over two million members)[vi]. Other church-affiliated groups, including the Mormons and Liberty University have faced sexual misconduct and corruption charges.
A second factor is social. During the 21st century, we have become more focused on the individual than community. More insulated and cloistered than curious and connected. As we have glided from the “we” to the “me,” earthy aims like money and fame have supplanted religious goals. The “prosperity gospel,” a disingenuous attempt by some churches to justify the pursuit of affluence[vii], has turned some pastors into hucksters, and too many parishioners into messengers of materialism[viii].
A third reason for falling membership is that many potential believers, especially young people, see traditional churches—or at least their leaders— as obsolete. This touches many issues—women’s rights, abortion[ix], contraception, marriage equality and climate change. In some cases, politicized church leaders have refuted national church positions that might otherwise have drawn young people[x].
A fourth factor is disgust with the extremism of our loudest religious fundamentalist leaders. Betraying the beatitudes and neglecting the “least of these.” Vilifying the ostracized, like migrants, Muslims and transgenders. Inciting white grievance. Spreading conspiracy theories. Equating Trump with Christ. Endorsing assault weapons. Lying about election results. Shielding America from past transgressions.
How American Evangelism Too Often Fails Our Young
American evangelicals are diverse in terms of demography, ideology and theology. Not all evangelical Christians have abandoned Jesus’ teachings. Many embrace the best of Christianity and focus on serving others. Unfortunately, the loudest evangelical voices too often preach a very different message.
Many white evangelicals are drawn to Christian evangelicalism for political reasons rather than theological ones. White evangelicals are a core GOP constituency due more to their political uniformity than their devotion to religious ritual[xi]. That their fanatic support for Trump shows no signs of waning[xii] will likely widen the wedge between their theology and politics.
What is most troubling about many white evangelicals is their ardent support for Christian Nationalism, the belief that the US should replace religious freedom and pluralism with one state religion. As set forth in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)’s Seven Mountain Mandate strategy[xiii], they plan to control the seven pillars of society: religion, government, education, business, arts, entertainment and family. NAR leaders seek dogmatic purity and absolute domination not freedom.
While many Christian nationalists resort to apocalyptic language[xiv], the NAR has adopted a shrewder Trojan Horsestrategy to seize control of government and the other societal pillars. With his benign, soft-spoken manner, Mike Johnson, the US House Speaker and a long-time dedicated supporter of the Seven Mountain Mandate strategy, personifies this strategy[xv].
What are the religious implications of NAR’s infiltration of American politics? Its extremism will likely drive more young people from traditional religion[xvi]. Russell Moore, Christianity Today’s editor in chief, wrote, “young evangelicals are walking away … because they believe the church … does not believe what the church teaches.” This is especially foreboding for a generation that will need faith and hope to overcome the challenges of an uncertain future.
Regardless of its Form, Faith is Vital
Most of us encounter crossroads, especially when we’re young. Regardless of how we find it—through traditional religion or not—faith can help us find our way. Faith in something larger than ourselves can bring us purpose, meaning and hope (see Pope Francis essay).
For centuries, traditional religions have been the most heavily traveled road to faith. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Sikhism and Judaism are among the largest and best known[xvii]. Their theological sects, beliefs and rituals vary widely but all strive to explain the inexplicable and inspire hope. At their best, they remind us of the “complete ephemerality of human power[xviii].”
Faith is not limited to one theological box. In our efforts to counter fear and cynicism, or our hunger to make sense of our lives, we embrace many other kinds of faith. Faith in an abstract God or no God at all. Faith in the capacity of people to make moral choices or build a better future. Faith in practices that bring them closer to the divine. Their faith may elude description, but it is faith. And the ranks of those finding faith beyond traditional churches—like secularists, agnostics and atheists—are growing.
Life without questions is unimaginable. What is life’s meaning? Where did it all begin? From whence did we come? Is there a God or an afterlife? Faith may or may not answer every question we have about life, but it can enrich our lives and the lives of those around us, in such ways as the following:
The rituals, rhythms and habits of faith—religious or not—seed, discipline and reinforce values and virtues in ourselves, our children and our communities.
Exploring and sharing our faith with others fosters community, reduces our isolation and loneliness and helps repel the hyper-individualism of modern society[xix].
Genuine faith tends to increase our civic engagement, heighten our empathy and make us more willing to volunteer our time or resources in the service of others.
People of faith are more likely to experience happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives[xx].
Faith can offer humility, morality and an antidote to the unbridled individualism and societal division that roil our modern lives. Regardless of its form or object, faith is an essential portal to hope.
Healing Cynicism and Divisiveness with Faith
Cynicism and divisiveness are easier than faith. Too many evangelical leaders have cynically traded their faith for political power. In doing so, they have abused their positions of trust and repulsed many, especially the young, from their faith journeys. And, without faith, hope can be beyond reach. The damage these charlatans are doing—to the nation and their religion—could be irreparable.
What should we do? First, we should stop genuflecting before the false gods of power, status and wealth[xxi]. Defy those who disdain religious freedom and democracy. Reject their scare tactics, ad hominin attacks and American inquisition ideology. Expose those who prostitute faith to seize power. Urge them to forsake their religious blasphemy and hypocrisy.
Next, we must embrace faith in something noble, something that will make our nation a better place. Find the courage to question and build faith. Live with purpose, humility, candor and grace. Love, forgive and serve others, especially the helpless and marginalized. Walk a kind, moral and righteous path. Whether we are church members, secular humanists, agnostics or atheists, we need faith—and hope—to do the work that our future will require.