Losing Our Religion

“Recent poll data show that conceptually, at least, we are slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the ways we think about God, our selves, each other, and eternity” (Lisa Miller, Newsweek). I disagree with one part of her report: interest in cremation among Americans isn’t a sign of turning away from the Christian hope of resurrection bodies. Other than that, I’m not surprised at her conclusion that most Americans no longer take Jesus seriously on his claim to be the only way to know God. Richard Dreher reflected on the Miller piece and said:

If you are a conservative priest, pastor, or religious leader of any sort, and you aren't aware of this, you are going to get blindsided. If you aren't pushing on behalf of your congregation as hard against the culture as it's pushing against your congregation, they are going to get washed away -- and so too will small-o orthodoxy. This is where we are in America today, whether you like it or not. If you don't teach doctrine, and why doctrine is important, you shouldn't be surprised when people cease to believe it.