Decipher Podcast #2: Losing Our Religion
In this episode of Decipher Podcast, a story of losing your religion.
Sharmila tells a story of how she questioned religion at a young age and how her best friend rejected her because of it. Following this, we discuss religion in America and why young people are turning away from organized religion in favor of a more personal spirituality.
Intro
What’s on our minds? (1:10)
- Lauren: Continuing The X-Files and noticing that David Duchovney’s shark eyes are gone. Watching Mad Men and realizing Don Draper is her #problematicbae
- Sharmila: Drinking yellowish juice shots, aka “The face-melter,” to give her life. Reading Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed and learning how to have radical empathy.
- Corey: Seeing The Staves live for the first time and being blown away.
Story
Losing Our Religion (7:00)
Sharmila tells a story of leaving the church after finding unsatisfactory responses and reactions to her questions and doubts. She ties this into an NPR interview with a panel of people from various faiths who have similar experiences
Decipher (25:00)
In the last five years, news outlets from NPR and the Atlantic to the LA Times and the Guardian, have run articles on people losing their religion. Is there something inherently wrong with religion or is it having a hard time adapting to modern times? Are we turning away from religion because we’re losing our values in American society? Are some people using religion as a cover for unacceptable behavior, thereby giving religion a bad rap? Current social issues and the teachings of religion seem to be increasingly at odds, prompting more (especially younger) Americans, to separate themselves from the religion they grew up with and formerly believed.
- Has this lead to the rise of spirituality?
- Is the increase in “nones” creating a society with less morals or values? Are we losing a sense of community as we lose religion?
- Are we, as a society, more free to make decisions about our lives than our ancestors?
- How did religion play a part in the politics of today?
Credits
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Production
- Hosts: Sharmila Sahni, Lauren Hayes, and Corey Long
- Story Segment Writer: Sharmila Sahni
- Story Segment Editor: Wendell
- Audio Production: Corey Long
- Decipher Theme Music and Cover Art: Nathaniel James Zablan
Music
- “On Eagle’s Wings” by Michael Joncas
- “King Thumbscrew The Third” by Doctor Turtle
Clips
- “Young people are moving away from religion, but why?” (NPR)
- “Getting Unstuck from Sexual Sin” — A sermon from Pastor James MacDonald at Harvest Bible Chapel (Youtube)
- “Rev. Jeffress: Trump Like Nehemiah, Who God Called to Build Wall Around Jerusalem” (Fox News)
Further Reading
- “As social issues drive young from church, leaders try to keep them” (NPR)
- “He had faith in his job” (LA Times)
- “Why does the U.S. allow 12-year-olds to get married?” (Washington Post)
- “Losing their religion; the hidden crisis of faith among Britain’s young Muslims” (The Guardian)
- “Why millennials are leaving religion but embracing spirituality” (Phys Org)
- “Most People — And Perhaps Most Clergy — Don’t Want Political Endorsements In Church”(FiveThirtyEight)
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