Harry Potter, Soul Cycle and the Internet: say hello to America’s new religions. Ep. 142

You’ve heard of the “nones.” It seems like every week there is a
new book, article or survey trying to explain the increasingly
large segment of millennials and Gen-Zers who check “none” when
asked about their religious affiliation. Tara Isabella Burton, a
theologian, author and journalist, is less interested in what these
young people are leaving behind (institutional religion) than in
how they are finding or making their own meaning. From Harry Potter
fan forums to SoulCycle, Crossfit and witchcraft, Americans are
forming niche communities that play the role traditionally filled
by churches. We ask Tara about the origins of the trend, the
dangers of picking and choosing our own beliefs and rituals and
whether institutional religion has a chance of reaching what she
calls religion “Remixers.” In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis
celebrates a Mass with 100 worshippers for the centenary of St.
John Paul II’s birth—the first large gathering at St. Peter’s
Basilica since the coronavirus shut down churches in Italy. Next,
we bring on America’s national correspondent, Michael O’Loughlin,
to talk about the reopening of churches in the United States.
Finally, we ask: Should Michael Jordan be a (secular) saint? Zac
makes the case for hagiography in the church and the world of
sports. Tell us what you think about the episode on our Facebook
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your hosts each week! Links from the show: Pope Francis celebrates
St. John Paul II centenary: ‘God sent his people a prophet.’ U.S.
Catholic dioceses release plans for reopening churches Michael
Jordan and the problem (and necessity) of hagiography Strange
Rites: New Religions for a Godless World Why you (yes you) should
care about theology What’s on tap?Old Fashioned’s Learn more about
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