Robert Putnam Lecture--Learning About Religion in America

As a religion minor and a religious person, yesterday's lecture by Robert Putnam was definitely of interest to me. Robert Putnam, Harvard professor and author of many books including American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unite Us, was brought to Susquehanna for the annual Alice Pope Shade Lecture. These Shade lectures typically cover the intersection of religion and public life. Putnam's lecture did just this, outline the ways in which religion impacts American social life as well as the changing religious landscape.

Putnam talked a lot about younger people and their views towards the religion. More and more, young people are falling under the category of "nones." This does not mean they are atheist. Many "nones" believe in God and pray regularly. They just do not affiliate themselves with a religion. To put this drastic change in perspective, historical levels of "nones" in America have been 5%. 31% of people under 30 are now classified as "nones."

Putnam looked at some recent history to explain the events. Basically, religion was at an all-time high at the 1950s. Then the 60s came along and there was tremendous social shifting, especially regarding sexual norms. Another group in the 70s and 80s didn't find this liberating but appalling and swung towards evangelical Protestantism. This conservative group became increasing politicized so that, now, religion often becomes identified with conservative Republican politics. A backlash against this began in 1990, with "nones" steadily increasing.

According to Putnam, this dramatic shift by younger people away from organized religion will certainly impact American public life.

I think it's always interesting to realize that you, in the present, are inside a time of history and change. This current trend away from organized religion didn't start long before I was born--it's so recent, really--but I've been living in it my entire life. It's become defining to my generation. Where we go from here is unknown, but it will alter America, maybe forever.

During the Q&A, Putnam brought up that he didn't think young people were going to change but religious offerings would. He believes that there is a large pool of people who would go to church if they didn't think that mean being Republican or homophobic; I have witnessed these conceptions and think this is true. Putnam predicts that a church may adapt to attract them--a contemporary one that is not necessarily liberal but at least apolitical, one that focuses less on issues of sex.

If Putnam is right, that means the future I'll inhabit will have a very different religious landscape than the one I've seen growing up. Or maybe the religious offerings won't adapt and "nones" will continue their rise. We simply don't know. I may have certain hopes about what might happen, but whatever does happen, Putnam suggests that America will be changed for it--as well as American democracy. This lecture made me mull over those hopes and the ramifications my generation, and the decades to come, may have.