The Conservative Turn

American Religious History

Explosion of Pentecostalism

• Popular music, praise music, “Christian rock”

• Growing Hispanic presence

• Influences other churches: looser style, less liturgy

Catholic Conservative Turn

• Pope Paul VI

• Humanae Vitae, 1968: no artificial birth control

• Affirms celibate priesthood

• Pope John Paul II (1978-2005), celebrity pope

• Experience under Nazis and Communists

• Conservative on personal & sexual morality: Abortion issue

• Strengthened papal control of bishops & theology (continued by Benedict XVI, 2005-13)

• Problems in the priesthood: shortages and child sex abuse scandals

• The Hispanic challenge

Recent Trends

• Reform Judaism rediscovers tradition

• Mainline denominations riven by controversies

• Ordination of women

• Anything having to do with homosexuals (lifestyle, ordination, marriage)

• Loss of young people, shrinking numbers

• Rising secularism? Disillusionment with overpoliticized churches?

• Recent poll: 20% “no religion”