Ross Douthat examines the data and concludes that Americans aren’t really any less “religious;” they just aren’t willing to submit to the discipline of traditional mainstream churches. In his eyes, that makes us “heretics.” Is he right?
I have two observations about that. First of all, “heresy” is part of the American DNA. Some of our ancestors came here to worship outside of the control of state churches; others started completely new forms of Christianity, of whom the Mormons are the most prominent. America was, and is, a kind of spiritual tabular rasa. It’s a place to break from the chains of the past and make your own shining city on the hill.
Second, as a nation of free individuals and constant change, we don’t accept traditional European forms of discipline. We make our decisions about ethics and metaphysics based on logic and our own experience, not the opinions of emperors and church fathers. In the end, St. Augustine didn’t have any more idea of what happens to us after death than you and I do. He just thought he was required to rely on the authority of Christian scripture for all of the answers. Most of us don’t agree.
As far as I’m concerned, this is cause for celebration, not doom and gloom. If that makes me a “heretic,” so be it. Merry Christmas!