American Culture

“For the two Christian groups asked about, people are most likely to name a modern religious leader — for evangelical Protestantism, Billy Graham; and for Catholicism, the pope.” - CPost

“In a time of crisis, however, we are thrown back on what is embodied and motionless. When we are no longer permitted to commute to work, we must turn again to the presences that exist alongside us: our housemates—be they family members or roommates—and our neighbors.” - TAC

“As a historian, I’m far more comfortable describing the past than predicting the future. But I think we can safely say that the religion-like functions of sports will continue. In some ways, they may even take on heightened importance.” - RNS

“The center will unveil on Tuesday the findings of its inaugural national research study, the American Worldview Inventory 2020. Barna maintains the study is ‘the most sophisticated survey of worldview ever conducted in the United States.’” - CPost

“Mark Sayers has not written another book on the challenges that face the church in the West, though few would be better suited to do so. He’s written instead a handbook for not only surviving but even thriving in our secular age. Sayers is the author of Reappearing Church: The Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian Culture” - TGC

“The survey also shows, however, that Christians are somewhat more likely to think their religion’s perceived decline in influence is a temporary, rather than permanent, change. In addition, just one-in-five U.S. Christians, including a third of white evangelical Protestants, see themselves as members of a minority group because of their religious beliefs.

“However you run the numbers, the drop-off since 2008 shows a significant decline in divorce. …More good news is that the percentage of children being raised by their parents in intact, married families is now 62.6%. This 2019 data is up from 61.8% in 2014, with the number going up each year.” - Gene Veith

“Douthat’s central argument is intriguing…it’s quite likely that the Western neoliberal order will keep limping along for the foreseeable future.

Veith considers R. R. Reno’s book, Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West, which argues that the west overcorrected in reaction to the nationalism of the Nazi movement. He also takes a look at James R. Rogers’ analysis of the book. - Cranach

“America’s founding documents presuppose that a limited government depends on a free and virtuous society. ‘Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports,’ said George Washington in his Farewell Address.” - Acton