In today’s world, marked by a blend of religious ignorance and a search for meaning, Ross Douthat presents his new book for both skeptics and spiritual seekers. In the past, a book like Believe: Why should everyone be religious? (Zondervan) might not have seemed necessary in the U.S., where even those who rarely went to church often held some form of faith. Now, however, millions have distanced themselves from organized religion, leading to a significant gap in exposure to basic religious traditions. Interestingly, there’s been a notable rise in interest surrounding spiritual inquiries.
In Believe, Douthat, who identifies as a devout Catholic, addresses skeptics and secular audiences by emphasizing religion as a whole—only in the last chapter does he directly delve into his Christian beliefs.
“I’m aiming to introduce religion itself to those curious about faith who lack experience,” Douthat commented in an interview. He noted that many young Americans today, especially those without a strong religious upbringing, have little connection to Christian observances like Christmas or Easter.
“There’s definitely more religious curiosity today compared to over a decade ago,” he observed.
Douthat critiques the New Atheism movement, which includes writers like Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, suggesting that their claims—that dismissing belief in a higher power leads to greater rationality and happiness—have fallen short.
“When I revisit those works, the underlying promise seems to be that if we stop believing in an unseen deity, life will somehow become better in every way,” he remarked.
However, he argues that a more secular America has resulted in increased social isolation and political division, contradicting the promise of enlightenment.
At the same time, Douthat notes a growing fascination with UFOs and New Age spirituality, indicating a continued interest in the supernatural and the unknown.
Douthat discusses how religious beliefs can hold intellectual advantages over secular views. Yet, he acknowledges that embracing the mysteries of faith can be challenging.
“I believe there’s a compelling reason to take seriously the ideas of higher powers and a supernatural order in the universe,” he noted, explaining that his book is, in a way, a Christian apology disguised as an introduction to religion. He aims to guide readers on a journey where the starting point isn’t immediately Christian but instead encourages exploration of the universe’s purpose and intent.
In essence, Douthat invites readers to reflect on the deeper questions of existence.
