Discourse on Political Matters led by Rod Dreher
In a thought-provoking conversation recorded on the 13th of August 2025, Christian Smith, author of the book "Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America", and Rod Dreher, a former senior editor at The American Conservative and visiting fellow at the Danube Institute in Budapest, explored the shifting political landscape and the decline of traditional faith in America.
The discussion centred around the challenges of supporting free speech in contemporary society, the rise of right-wing movements, and a perceived backlash against liberalism. The book "Why Religion Went Obsolete" offers an analysis of the demise of traditional faith in America, although it does not delve into specific factors driving this shift or the impact on liberal democratic values in the face of a global move towards right-wing movements.
Dreher, who is also the author of "Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents", based on the experiences of Christians persecuted in Soviet Russia, shared his insights on the role of religion and culture in shaping values, norms, and collective identities that inform political debates and policy preferences. However, the discussion did not provide any comparisons between the American context and the experiences of Christians in Soviet Russia, nor did it connect the book to Dreher's work.
The conversation also touched upon economic discontent among the working class as a factor in the shifting political landscape, but it did not provide specific reasons for the obsolecence of religion in America or any implications or predictions based on the book's content. The discussion did include a discussion on the implications of "forever wars", but it did not contrast the book's findings with the experiences of Christians persecuted in Soviet Russia.
In conclusion, the discussion between Smith and Dreher offered valuable insights into the challenges facing contemporary society, particularly in relation to the decline of traditional faith in America and the shifting political landscape. While the book "Why Religion Went Obsolete" does not provide a comprehensive explanation for the demise of traditional faith, it serves as a starting point for further exploration and discussion on this important topic.
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