Since 2016, church attendance has continued to fall, a symptom of the widespread distrust that has developed in many facets of American life since that year’s election. This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper and editor in chief Russell Moore investigate that erosion of trust at the polls, in the pews, and across the pond as Britain coronates its next king.
Special guests political scientist Ryan Burge and attorney Rachel Denhollander weigh in on this distrust in conversation about diminishing church commitments and the recent failed nomination of a new Southern Baptist Convention president. As white Christianity shrinks in the U.S., evangelicals continue to struggle with transparency around abuse scandals and the motivation to make necessary reforms. The episode ends with the million dollar question: “Who cares about the British monarchy?” Like with the church, have we come to expect constant disappointment in the royals, too?
Joining us this week: Ryan Burge is assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and author of The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going. Dr. Burge’s research has been covered in a variety of media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Vox, Christianity Today, Religion News Service, The Daily Mail, Deseret News, and C-SPAN. Ryan is the co-founder and frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a website dedicated to informing the public about topics related to religion and politics, as well as research director for Faith Counts.
Rachael Denhollander is an attorney, author, advocate, and educator who is recognized as a leading voice on the topic of sexual abuse. For her work as an advocate and educator on sexual assault, Rachael was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” in 2018. Additionally, she received the “Inspiration of the Year” award from Sports Illustrated, was a joint recipient of ESPN’s “Arthur Ashe Courage Award,” and was named a “Michiganian of the Year” by the Detroit News, along numerous other awards and recommendations. She has appeared on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX News, BBC, PBS, NPR, CBC and regularly appears in national and international print media, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Der Spiegel, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press, and is a New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and Vox op-ed contributor. Rachael holds a Juris Doctorate from Oak Brook College of Law and possesses an honorary doctorate from the American University of Paris.
Resources Referenced: Did The Election of Donald Trump Drive People from the Pews? The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded American is Tearing Us Apart UK Coronation Remains Religious, Even if the Country Isn’t
“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Hosts: Mike Cosper and Russell Moore Producer: Matt Stevens Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Music: Dan Phelps Graphic Design: Bryan Todd Additional Design: Amy Jones Social Media: Kate Lucky
