Why are so many young people walking away from traditional religion—not in anger, but with a shrug? In this thought-provoking episode, Jason Adkins sits down with renowned sociologist Dr. Christian Smith, author of Why Religion Went Obsolete, to unpack the quiet cultural revolution that's led to the decline of faith institutions in America.
They explore:
- Why the 1990s were a turning point for religious disaffiliation
- How the digital age and consumer capitalism changed how we think about truth, authority, and God
- Why catechesis alone won’t fix the Church’s challenges
- What it means to re-enchant the world, and why Catholicism might be uniquely suited for this moment
Dr. Smith doesn’t just diagnose the problem, he names the cultural tides reshaping our imagination, and offers hope for how the Church can meet people in a postmodern world that’s hungry for meaning.
Featuring discussion on the “millennial zeitgeist,” moralistic therapeutic deism, digital disruption, and the rebirth of paganism. This is an essential listen for anyone who cares about the future of the Church.
Links & Resources:
- Dr. Christian Smith – University of Notre Dame
- Why Religion Went Obsolete (Oxford University Press)
- Summary Article – Church Life Journal
Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements.
Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.
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