Ep. 487: Is Traditional Religion Obsolete? Christian Smith Says “Yes”

If you are listening to this podcast, I’m guessing religion plays an important role in your life. It certainly does in mine. That’s why I was a little put off by the title of Christian Smith’s new book Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America. Religion is certainly not obsolete in my life. But I must say: After reading the book, and after having the conversation with him that you are about to hear, I think he may be right. Of course, a great deal hinges on how you define such words as “traditional faith” and “obsolete.” We’ll talk about that in today’s conversation. But even if he is not right in his overarching premise, a great many of the facts and details of his argument are worth consideration. James Davison Hunter, the elder statesman in the field of the sociology of religion has called Why Religion Went Obsolete an “era-defining book.” I completely agree with this assessment, and I recommend this book. And I hope this brief conversation with Christian Smith that I’m sharing with you will motivate you to go out and get it, read it, and discuss it with the folks in your church. Christian Smith is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame. His previous books include Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, a book in which he coined the phrase “moralistic therapeutic deism” to describe the religious belief of young people. It’s a phrase that has become a part of the religious lexicon. Christian Smith spoke to me via zoom from his home in South Bend, Indiana. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m your host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.