â??In Secularism We Trust: The Fate of Religion in the 21st Centuryâ?: this was the title of the presentation and discussion at Fordham Center on Religion and Culture last Tuesday. Molly Worthen, a historian of religion, described the advance of secularization in America; Harvey Cox and Ross Douthat gave commentary from a liberal Protestant and a conservative Catholic perspective. E. J. Dionne moderated the ensuing arguments with wit and dispatch. A lot of nuanced, complex ideas were discussed that canâ??t be summarized easily.
In reply to Worthen, Harvey Cox emphasized that while secularism is advancing in the developed world, Pentecostal Christianity spreads like wildfire in Africa, South America and China. From a more conservative Roman Catholic standpoint Ross Douthat reminded the audience that we never know what is coming in our cultural future. An individualistic secularism has had its ups and downs and a reaction back toward communal religion may be in the cards. If Pope Francis manages to revitalize the church without too much conflict Douthat thinks that Catholicism may increase its influence in the world. It should also be biologically noted, he added, that religious people marry and have more children than secular people. If some proportion of offspring stay in the fold, religious groups will increase in society.
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