Andrew Fiala, Ph.D.

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The decline of Christianity in the United States does not mean that “religion” is dead or dying. News of the death of religion may excite humanists, but it is unlikely to go extinct. Religion is an adaptable social phenomenon. Religious beliefs and behaviors have always evolved. In a free country, this evolution will continue.

Secularism and the rise of the nones

The Pew Center released a recent report predicting the continuing decline of Christianity in the United States. This corresponds with a prediction about the rise of the “nones”—the folks who say “none of the above” when asked about their religious affiliation. The rise of the nones has been widely discussed. Phil Zuckerman has been talking about it for over a decade. So have I.

The new Pew report is an important reminder of how religious liberty works, as I argued recently. In a secular society, people are free to switch religions. Our shifting religious demography is a sign of our freedom.

There is no uniform story about switching here. Some will move from one congregation to another within a given tradition. Some may change from one faith to another. But the majority of those who are switching seem to be switching out of, without switching into, another faith tradition. The nones are moving away from specific religious traditions and ending up unaffiliated. Another way of describing these folks is to speak of them as “the unchurched.”

The Pew Center shows that during the past 50 years, the nones grew from 5% in 1972 to around 30% today. They predict that if trends remain the same, in fifty years, 41% of the population will be nones.

The increase of the unchurched is coming at the expense of Christianity. Pew reports that in 1972, 90% of Americans identified as Christian. But today only 64% of Americans are Christian. If the rate of changes stays the same, Pew predicts that the Christian population will be 46% in 2070. That means that Christianity will no longer be the majority religion in the U.S.

The nones are not all atheists

Atheists and humanists may celebrate this result. But before the atheists pop the champagne, let’s make sure we do not over-interpret this data. This does not mean that atheism or humanism will grow as fast as we might think.

Most of the nones are not atheists or agnostics. The recent Pew report did not predict the growth of atheism. But Pew has published information on atheism and agnostic in a related report from 2021. In 2021, 4% described themselves as atheists and 5% said they were agnostic. But another 20% said “nothing in particular.”

Now it might be that “nothing in particular” is a way station on the path to atheism. Perhaps those who say “nothing in particular” are afraid to admit they are atheists. I know my own journey to atheism worked that way. At one point, I stopped believing. But I was reluctant to embrace the term atheism. It took a while, and a bit of courage, to come out of the religious closet, so to speak. So, there may be some nones who keep moving along a similar trajectory and end up as atheists.

Spirituality and religiosity

But among the nones, there are those who are called “spiritual but not religious.” These folks don’t understand their spiritual identity in terms of any specific faith. Pew has also been tracking these kinds of people. In a 2017 report, they say that 27% of Americans identify themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” This category is fuzzy. So, we want to be careful about over analyzing things here.

But we can imagine what this might mean. The spiritual but not religious folks are people who believe in some higher power and some spiritual notion of the soul. They may celebrate religious holidays. They may even pray and practice some rituals. But they do it on their own, apart from any organization, authority, or set of official dogma.

I suspect that the growth of the nones will include the growth of the “spiritual but not religious” folks. Our culture is awash in unchurched spirituality that is idiosyncratic and syncretic—and not easily categorized as part of any given tradition. As an example, we might consider the growth of yoga.

One reason to suspect the persistence of spirituality and religion broadly construed is that this is an important part of human culture and psychology. Authors such as Dan Dennett, Robert Bellah, and Nicholas Wade suggested that there were social, psychological, and evolutionary pressures at work in the creation of religion. Spirituality is psychologically satisfying. And religious organization serves social purposes.

History of the evolution of religion

It is likely that spirituality and religion will persist as part of a basic human need for meaning and structure. But, and here is the exciting part of the story, religion will change. The history of the evolution of religion shows that there has always been ongoing evolution. Religions are born, mature, and evolve in response to social and psychological pressures. It is likely that religion will continue to evolve in this way.

The contrarian Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby Spong made a similar claim in a book published over 20 years ago, Why Christianity Must Change or Die. His point was that the old myths no longer make sense to the present generation. A religion that does not evolve and adapt will soon go extinct.

History shows us that religion has always adapted. Christianity developed as a response to the Judaism of the Roman empire. Islam appeared later as Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and others mingled on the periphery of the Roman and Byzantine world. In the United States, new religions appeared as Christianity evolved to become Mormonism, Christian Science, and other offshoots. A similar story can be told about the evolution of Buddhism out of Hinduism. And so on.  

Celebrating the freedom to create religious meaning

The rapid shift we are witnessing in terms of religious affiliation and identity is a time of foment and transformation. These are exciting times for those who study religion. And while I might prefer that more people would embrace humanism, I know this is unlikely.

For my part, I want to make sure that religious liberty remains fundamental. And so long as we are free to think, innovate, and experiment with religion and spirituality, I’m content to watch the evolution of religion, as Americans use their liberty to explore what it means to be human.

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There is a South Park episode in which the kids use an “f-word” to mock a bunch of obnoxious bikers. The word is obviously offensive, which is why the kids use it. A violent struggle erupts. In the end, the bikers embrace the epithet and admit that they are f@gs. But at that point, the word has lost its meaning.

Another f-word is undergoing a similar transformation: fascist. We call each other “fascists” to the point of absurdity and a loss of meaning. But the misuse can, and very well may, lead to violence.

Fascists everywhere

Fascism has a precise and useful definition: It describes a dictatorial, authoritarian government that stifles opposition by force and subordinates all individual and group identities to the identity of the state. It defines a pure in-group, often by race, while strategically labeling and demonizing out-groups to advance the agenda of the in-group.

While elements of this definition have arguably been in play in our recent history, nothing approaching the literal definition has occurred—and the use of the word itself to describe elements well short of the definition is as problematic as defining an opinion poll as “democracy.”

President Biden suggested recently that MAGA Republicans are “semi-fascists”. Some pundits were thrilled to see Biden use the f-word. Robert Reich and others have called for a more explicit condemnation of what they see as Republican fascism. Republicans were outraged, of course, despite the fact that they also use the “f-word.” Donald Trump accused the Democrats of being fascists back when he was president.  

And as if to round the circle, Republicans like Trump also accuse the FBI of being “a Fascist Bureau of Investigation” for searching Mar-a-Lago. A number of right-wingers piled on, including Florida Republican Rick Scott, former Trump official Steve Bannon, and Colorado’s Loren Boebert, each of whom said that the search was a “Gestapo” tactic.

All of this rhetoric is historically obtuse and offensive, as a recent LA Times article indicated. It is also polarizing, alienating, and dangerous. This is not Berlin or Rome in the 1920s and 30s, where street violence and weak constitutions combined with ethnonationalism to bring fascism to life. We live in a diverse and stable constitutional republic. And so far, that system is working.

Trumpism is not fascism

I do not offer my remarks here as a defense of Trump or Trumpism. I’ve written an extensive critique of Trump, who I see as a person with a tyrannical personality. But the good news is that in the United States, would-be tyrants cannot gain power, and the rule of law punishes violence.

The checks and balances of our system worked. Trump left power in 2021. There were dangerous moments (i.e., January 6). And we must remain vigilant. But our vigilance can become absurd if we see fascism everywhere we look.

Trump is not a virulent anti-Semite or ethno-nationalist. He is a narcissist and a liar. But he has no theory of the master race and no plan for extermination camps. He is a salesman and a billionaire in a diverse capitalist society. Trump is focused on his brand and his name, not on some myth of iron, soil, and blood.

Perhaps we need a different word to describe this particular amalgam, like trumpism. Trumpism is a movement with a loose agenda. It is primarily focused on whatever nonsense flows out of Mar-a-Lago at the moment. It is not even really a coherent political ideology but a cult of personality and wealth, more South Park than Munich. It is defined less by a guiding political philosophy than the utter lack of one.

All of the talk of “American carnage” and “making America great again” can sound like something out of the 1930s. But Trump’s vision is not about returning to the era of a Kaiser or creating a thousand-year Reich. He’d much rather lower taxes on the wealthy, say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays,” and keep himself out of jail.

Now some Trump supporters might harbor a more sinister ideology. But the real fascists are not found in the halls of Congress. They lurk on the margins, plotting violence, and despite delays and misinformation, they end up in prison when their plots are exposed.

Semi-fascism is not fascism

Now it may be that the f-word is changing its meaning and growing beyond its historical origin. Matt Ford in the New Republic suggested that fascism can be understood as a certain “vibe,” that is ultra-nationalist and opposed to racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities. I understand the vibe he’s describing. But no one in the Republican party has suggested a program of genocide.

Perhaps that’s why President Biden used the term “semi-fascism” to describe the MAGA Republicans. Semi-fascism is more like a vibe. But semi-fascism is not fascism. And a vibe is not a political program.

A related concern is the rise of Christian nationalism. Some have gone so far as to claim that Christian nationalism in America has morphed into “Christo-fascism.” That suggestion was made recently by Yale sociologist Phillip Gorski. In a Tweet, Gorski explained, “Christian fascism… plays upon fear, nationalism, and victimhood to maintain a mythological patriarchal past and squashes liberal democracy.”

I understand what he is worried about. There are undoubtedly some Christian extremists out there lurking in the shadows. But the mainstream of the Republican party seems more interested in using the Supreme Court to get its way than in resorting to violence. And they have been successful: Roe v. Wade is gone and coaches are allowed to pray at football games. These are important changes in Constitutional law. But they are not fascist.

The risk of violence

The history of fascism and anti-fascism is a history of violence. If your enemy is a Nazi, then violence can be justified in stopping him. Let’s avoid falling into the dialectical trap created by this overheated rhetoric. Violence breeds reactionary counter-violence. The risk of escalation holds on both sides of our polarized political tinderbox.

One part of the solution is to understand how and why our Constitutional system worked to prevent a would-be tyrant from consolidating power. We need to be vigilant about that system in order to prevent any party or person from subverting the rule of law. But we also need to be more careful with our language and how we use the f-word.

The post Resisting the new F-word appeared first on OnlySky Media.

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Resentment and anger fuel much of our public discourse. There is not much room for values like compassion and forgiveness. So, President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan comes as a surprise.

To some, it is even an insult. Senator Mitch McConnel said “Democrats’ student loan socialism is a slap in the face to working Americans who sacrificed to pay their debt or made different career choices to avoid debt.”

Senator Ted Cruz called it a “gut punch” to hard-working Americans.

These metaphors indicate a visceral reaction to the idea of forgiving a loan. The very idea is an outrage. And politicians are clever at cultivating outrage.

Choosing vicarious gladness

But do we have to feel resentment? I don’t think so.

If you resent other people’s good fortune, you’ll have lots to be angry about. But if you find a way to enjoy other people’s gladness, you can find a lot to be happy about.

Unfortunately, we are often conditioned to resent other people’s good fortune. This is the grumpy mean-spiritedness of cut-throat competition. In the world of zero-sum games, the other guy’s good luck comes at my expense.

But life is not a zero-sum game. Other people’s happiness can spread to me—if I let it in.

The wisdom of turning the cheek

This kind of thing is taught by the world’s wisdom traditions. Jesus encouraged his followers to overcome resentment. When slapped in the face, Jesus recommended turning the other cheek. He encouraged his followers to cultivate tolerance and acceptance. This is good advice, even for secular folks like myself, who don’t think that Jesus was a miracle worker.

And the advice is common. Socrates advocated something similar. He said it’s wrong to return evil for evil. Other ancient Greek and Roman philosophers generally warned that anger undermines good judgment and leads us astray. Seneca described anger as misery that enslaves. He compared resentment to what happens when an animal gets its neck caught in a trap. In thrashing about in rage, the animal only tightens the noose.

It would be much better to learn to absorb life’s blows and overcome anger. As Marcus Aurelius warned, anger and vexation about an injury often cause more harm than the injury itself. There is wisdom in learning to accept and forgive. And you don’t need to be a Christian to think so.

The problem and the possibility of secular forgiveness

Jesus also taught his followers to forgive so that they might be forgiven. In the background of Christian forgiveness, there is a complicated story about original sin and the need for atonement.

But we can embrace the wisdom of forgiveness without all of that metaphysical baggage.

Secular philosophers have often neglected the idea of forgiveness. Some even argue that it is unjust to forgive because justice seems to require punishment and retribution.

Secular systems of justice typically rely upon a calculation of harm, punishment, and reparation. You may want to forgive someone who harms you. But the cops, the courts, the banks, and the insurance companies are not in the business of forgiveness. Nonetheless, forgiveness could be a useful value in the secular world. It allows us to acknowledge harm and wrongdoing while helping us move forward.

Biden’s loan forgiveness plan may seem like a slap in the face because, in our secular world, we have not made room for forgiveness. The worker bees in our society are supposed to follow the rules. We’ve been trained in the discipline of accountability, liability, and debt repayment. God may forgive your sins. But Uncle Sam and the bankers will get their pound of flesh. And the bees that don’t conform are driven out of the hive.

And yet, what if the world were different? It turns out that loans can be forgiven. Who knew this was even possible? This proposal opens the door to larger questions about our notions of liability and accountability. Maybe the world would be better off if there were more forgiveness and less resentment, more compassion, and less cut-throat competition.

The value of forgiveness, and the cost of resentment

That’s a dream, of course. This world still involves lots of anger and resentment, and politicians who stir the pot.

And nothing comes for free. Ted Cruz estimates that Biden’s loan forgiveness plan “will cost every taxpayer an average of $2,100.” He makes this point in an effort to incite more outrage. But we spend taxpayer dollars on lots of stuff that not everyone agrees with. According to one recent estimate, the U.S. military costs the average taxpayer about $2,000 per year.

With these nearly equivalent numbers on the table, it’s worth reflecting on what we value. Would you rather bail out people trying to get an education or support the military? Or both? Or neither?

It may seem odd to think that we have any choice in the matter. But if loans can be forgiven, maybe we could think differently about a lot of stuff.

This is a good time to think about the kind of society we want to live in—and the kind of people we want to be. How important is forgiveness in the secular world? What is the cost of resentment? And is it possible to imagine a world that is more compassionate and less angry?

The post Forgiveness as a secular value: What can we learn from the debate about student loans? appeared first on OnlySky Media.