Religion, a guiding principle since the founding of America, is on the cusp of returning as a central influence in American culture. For many people who have witnessed the deterioration of the country’s moral fabric over the past few decades, this news is well overdue.
The economic success of the 80’s brought with it the rise of the “me generation,” a period perhaps best characterized by self-interest and material accumulation. In many ways, the pulling away from traditional cultural aspects such as family, community, and shared values likely contributed to the division of religion in public life. With the 90s came the rise of violence in the media landscape as violent movies became box office gold and popular rap records promoted disruption of social order.
This contradiction of traditional values came full circle in the 2000s as sex and promiscuity became seemingly acceptable and even encouraged aspects of everyday culture. For many, this regressive pattern may seem unending. Certainly recent examples of American moral decay can be found in Miley Cyrus’ sexually explicit gyrations on national television and the rise of the so-called “knockout game.” Increasingly, the public has become dissatisfied with the materialism and flash that currently dominates American culture. Certainly in a nation as big as ours there’s always been a place for that but now many seems to be yearning for simple, moral and constructive ways to spend time. There are many promising signs that America is experiencing a return to morality.
A recent Fox News story cited numerous examples of the resurgence of religion in popular culture including the success of The Bible as a television mini-series, the Hollywood production of the story of Noah, and the success of the best-seller Killing Jesus. Perhaps the influence on religion in modern media is best exhibiting by the success of the top-rated Duck Dynasty television series, which features Louisiana’s Robertson family with their faith as a central tenet and each episode closed with a prayer over a family dinner. Even A&E’s suspension of patriarch Phil Robertson over speaking about his religious convictions symbolizes the rising influence of religion as the network was forced to overturn its decision after large-scale protests in support of Robertson.
Pope Francis, who has made news for his positivity and modest habits, has been named “Person of the Year” by Time magazine, no small achievement considering how furiously liberal that publication tends to lean. For many, this was a good sign … a sign that America is returning to a place where people can speak of their beliefs without being condemned for them.
However, the return of religion in America is not simply limited to its presence in media. A 2007 study by the Pew Foundation found that nearly half of American adults who were raised without religion as children became strongly affiliated with a particular denomination as adults. Additionally, the Hartford Institute found that mega-churches have continued to experience significant growth, with an 8 percent annual growth in worshipers between 2007 and 2011. While the overall population of non-religious persons in America has also increased, this news may mark a turning point of a larger return to religious values; it appears religion is again reemerging as a way for communities and families to bond together, particularly during these unsure social and economic times.
Why is this? There are many possible reasons for the growth of religion in America. Perhaps most central is the desire for a return to a society of traditional American values where concepts such as safety, liberty, and freedom were protected. The reality of the economic recession likely contributes to this desire. With more and more Americans falling on hard times, it is natural to seek comfort and support in groups such as the church. Additionally, the rapid growth in technology may be a cause. High-technology has rapidly increased the powers of communication in recent years yet it has also led people to live fairly solitary lives, this may be leading to a sort of counter-reaction with people becoming more disconnected to one another, human nature requires us to seek out personal relationships such as those found in churches.
Most religious faiths continue to grow in number, as more and more people, tired of materialistic noise, negative, sensationalistic news, and political bickering, seek higher, spiritual aspects to complement and enrich their lives. Americans have increasingly grown tired of creeping atheism and have reasserted their rights to practice and celebrate their faiths, whether privately, as a community, or in media formats. Places of worship may be enjoying growth due to their ability to strengthen communal bonds and fellowship between people in a more personal way than social media can, with genuine, uninterrupted interaction and conversation. Whatever the reason, it is hard to argue that a push for renewed morality is afoot in America.
This is good news for religious and non-religious Americans alike. As the Hartford Institute found, a revival in religious participation strengthens communities. It found that nearly all churches provided cash assistance to the needy and financial counseling. Meanwhile, the majority of churches provided a food pantry, daycare or preschool, job training, elderly care, and tutoring. Through these services and their teachings, churches serve as beacons of hope that influence others through their teachings and actions. This revival of religion in America may be the catalyst needed to restore a fabric of morality, care, and ethics to the country. Hopefully, it’s a signal that Americans have decided to re-order their priorities, putting family, community and morals back in their rightful place on top. Perhaps down the road this return to positivity and basic human values will have a positive effect on other issues the nation faces… when people care for and value each other as religions teach good things always happen.
I got at least three problems here Ms Valkyrie, none of which should be taken as a slam against religion:
1. Are you seriously saying there was ever a time, or a decade, or a year, when America WASN’T one of the most religious countries in the world? At least, religion-PROFESSING. Even during the selfish times that you decry, the “ME” generation, the yuppies and all, religion adapted to the prevailing culture as it tends to do. Ever heard of the “Gospel of Prosperity?”
2. The way you use “religion” interchangeably with “family,” “values,” “community,” and other good things we all like, totally suggests that us secular humanists do not have values, don’t value family, community, etc. In my experience, just as many good people are religious or not, just as many bad people are religious or not. Whatever gets you through the night.
3. Do you REALLY want Phil Robertson as your spokesman? Let’s look at what he said: “It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying?”
… That’s what every one of us straight males said to ourselves (and each other) when we were around 12 or 13. But isn’t it a little embarrassing to hold that up as religious speech?
Thank you Vern for your opine.
No, I am not challenging or debating the subject to those that have had discourse with the subject. I am just glad to see it back in to today’s forum, front and center. I have certainly missed it!
We all have families, communities, and values, but honesty, morals, and ethics particularly in politics has been taken for granted. It has been all about “me”, “our” faith in one another has suffered the last few years and I am very glad to see a return to the church and our community.
Mr. Robertson’s view is his own, though controversial, he speaks his mind and he is entitled to do so, as we all are under the First Amendment. He may not be the voice of Christian faith, it is his own interpretation, that’s it.
I appreciate the comment Vern, and your help.
Robertson also suggested that African-Americans were happier during the “pre-welfare” era…you know, like during Jim Crow.
Why do you choose to not condemn Robertson’s remarks?
You say that those comments are “his own interpretation” but you don’t say that you disagree with him.
Do you disagree with him about ANYTHING?
Hi Anon,
As I stated, it is a First Amendment issue and “everyone” is entitled to have the freedom to express themselves.
I personally did not give my opinion, only an analysis of where I think religion is going and I am very happy to see people express themselves about their faith. How one chooses to interpret it, is their decision. I will tell you I watch Duck Dynasty and I enjoy the program just like enjoy Fox News and Glenn Beck. Controversial yes, but that is my choice.
I do not live by television shows, I watch them as a means of my entertainment. Overall my family watches these shows along with Discovery, History (Bible, Vikings, etc..), and Disney, Sci-Fi, A&E, PBS and maybe a few others, but not many.
Anon, I don’t have to agree with anyone’s political or religious statements. I choose to watch a television program.
Thank you for your comment,
BTW who are you (anon)?
I didn’t say that you “have” to agree with someone’s statement.
I asked you whether or not you agree with the Robertson statements that have been highlighted here. You’ve chosen to duck, or duck dynasty, that question. Fine.
So here’s a hypothetical; say a person expresses hateful/racist/bigoted statements about another person or group of people. Do you think that speech is deserving of condemnation? Or do you simply want this to be a country where we become “a place where people can speak of their beliefs without being condemned for them.” Is there ANY speech that is worthy of condemnation?
So many people use “first amendment” so quickly and meaninglessly. The First Amendment only enters into it if the government tries to stop Phil from spewing. Not if A&E decided to dump him, and not if thousands of people criticize and ridicule him. That’s people’s right, and A&E’s right.
everybody needs to believe in something, i believe that i shall have another beer
Great, enjoy
Now, if only religion could get rid of all of the stupid parts that encourage people to believe improbable and self-serving things, resist critically important societal changes, and lie to children.
Religion making a comeback? Maybe among the religious, but more people cop to being atheists now than ever before. You can have community, morality, and a better purpose than empty materialism any time you want it without leaving your brain at the sanctuary door.
Thank you Fullerton Rag for your comment.
Now, do you honestly believe atheists are true atheists or is it a trend, the “in” thing, the “me” thing to do?
When truly faced with adversity, a tragedy, immanent death, will these people still opt for atheism, I don’t think so. I think they will look to something bigger than themselves for something familiar, secure, an attempt to take a leap of faith.
Christopher Hitchens faced a very swift death from oesophageal cancer and reportedly never renounced his atheism.
You really need to be careful of making statements that ring with a certainty that is not born out by reality.
I would also ask if Ms Daigle has made the acquaintance of anyone who calls themselves an atheist. It often involves serious thought and commitment.
I think both faith and atheism are presumptuous, and remain an agnostic with my eyes open. Just me though, as Phil Robertson might say.
We are both in that same boat Vern, with our eyes wide open.
It’s tough to face death, in the short term, knowing that your life is not in your own hands without putting some hope out there in something greater than yourself, or at least it has been for me.
I’m still not out of the woods yet in my current situation, but am recovering from a very long and complex surgical procedure, how well…remains to be seen.
Maybe if he had suffered greater pain for longer he would have seen the light and embraced his Maker.
His Maker’s Mark, you mean — and that he already did.
As I’m guessing that David already knows, Hitchens notoriously attacked Mother Teresa on the grounds that she did exactly that to prod non-Christians in her hospice to convert by that means. I don’t know whether it’s true, but I’ve rarely if ever seen an allegation against a public figure that pissed off more people more intensely than that one.
So it’s all about fear, is it? That’s what I thought. I have no more reason to doubt people claiming to be atheists than I do to doubt people claiming to be religious.
This post was so full of broad assumptions and proofless conclusions that it hardly needs any sort of refutation. Bible and Vikings?
The most moral stance I’ve ever seen is taken by sincere existentialists who value their actions precisely because they believed they they, and only they were responsible for them. Religiosity has virtually nothing to do with morality.
BTW, I have seen nothing in my experience to suggest that people are becoming less enthralled with materialism. Nothing. And for the record I wouldn’t believe Fox for the time of day.
Oh, the “Viking?” You must be referring to that Russell Crowe-looking dude in the “featured image.” I picked that. It’s supposed to be Noah, from some recent production. It’s what the FOX story used, so I thought it would be appropriate.
I aim to help!
No. I meant this:
“I do not live by television shows, I watch them as a means of my entertainment. Overall my family watches these shows along with Discovery, History (Bible, Vikings, etc..), and Disney, Sci-Fi, A&E, PBS and maybe a few others, but not many.”
Don’t tell me Mort Sahl is dead.
She’s right though – man does not live by television shows alone. (Matthew 4:4)
PS Valkyrie, thanks for buying my CD, I mailed it off today. Let us know how you like it! Sorry we’re such a tough crowd…
True. I don’t even watch sports on TV anymore.
That is fine, my opponents in last years race was far worse. At the very least you are all expressing yourselves and this is what we are here for.
And I thought you were all coming after me after I said I listen to Glen Beck during my workouts. He is more controversial than the patriarch of Duck Dynasty, silly me.
Glenn Beck? Isn’t he some comedian or something? Didn’t he get fired from FOX for being too goofy?
After reading all of your comments I realize you all watch too much tv.
Throw out your televisions and listen to the radio. Everytime I read things here I feel more like a weirdo. I must be from a different planet.
Not fired, but he is goofy. I enjoy Stephen Colbert as well, HE is goofy.
Let’s hope that it is not making a comeback considering many of the reasons our country is so fu&$ed up is due to the fairy tale called religion.
I’d like to go back to Anon’s question–don’t Robertson’s opinions deserve condemnation, instead of a facile “well, that’s his opinion and it’s fine he has it” take? Comparing homosexuals with terrorists and animal and children f*ckers–come on, now, admit that he’s a shameless hatemonger. You do remember how a certain leader demonized a certain race of people about 70 years ago, right? Is there any discernible difference? I think not.
The choice to unobjectively pick and choose what speech SOME deem as worthy of condemnation is purely a political calculation…it’s really got nothing to do with religion, ethics, morality or the First Amendment. Those are just used as excuses for silence.
“Religion Making A Comeback In America” –
I heard that Adam Elmehark is doing “God’s Work” over at the Voice Of OC!
Seriously, and really, I mean (reasonably) seriously, I see a backlash against organized religion in the coming years, especially fundamental Christian and Muslim faiths.
As the “Saddleback/Calvary” children break out of their home based biases and discover that some of their friends may be homosexual, use recreational drugs or experiment with otherwise “illicit” behavior, they will realize the fallacy of the “pastor”.
This will be especially true as the “westernized Muslim” population (there is an ongoing discussion about this very subject at the Muslim clubs UCR and UCI) grows from adolescence into adulthood.
The BLOWBACK will be interesting, Think 1950’s Catholic families evolving into 1960’s flower children and 1970’s free spirits.
Here you go:
http://www.npr.org/2014/01/07/260184473/sunday-assembly-a-church-for-the-godless-picks-up-steam