Priestly sex abuse scandals, scammy televangelists and partisan pastors. In today’s environment the list of reasons why people don’t trust religion like they used to is on the tip of the tongue of every pundit, and there is no shortage of people willing to armchair quarterback their own take on the problem with a seemingly ailing religion in America. And they may have a point — to a point. Confidence in religion is not what it used to be. Every year the General Social Survey asks respondents about their trust across different areas of society, including “organized religion.” In 1973,…

“I don’t know any little old ladies,” Chris Hanna observes about stepping away from religious participation 20 years ago. “And I don’t know kids or teenagers whose lives I can celebrate and contribute to as they grow.” Lack of what he calls “the forced familial relationships of a ward” doesn’t mean he’s without friends. “But it leaves a community gap when I only hang out with who I want,” he says, “not people who differ in interests, ages and in other ways.” Not everyone who leaves behind their faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does so…

Democrats easily won key seats in this year’s off-year elections, and exit polls say voters were focused on the cost of living when making their picks. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani promised to make life in New York City cheaper. Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger promised she would make it easier to buy a house in Virginia. And her New Jersey counterpart Mikie Sherrill promised to freeze utility costs. For Democrats, addressing affordability means increasing the burden of what the government takes care of: more Medicare and Medicaid, student loan forgiveness, rent assistance, tax-funded child care, etc. Mamdani’s victory speech encapsulated that view succinctly.…