Overview
- Burge argues polarization has drained mainline Protestant pews while evangelical and Catholic communities that moved right held steadier and became more partisan-coded.
- He says political ideology now outstrips most other factors in predicting religious attachment, estimating liberals are about 50% likely to be nonreligious versus roughly 12% for conservatives.
- He describes a growing population of religious “nones” that largely rejects institutions rather than seeking alternative spiritual practice.
- He links religious exit to broader disengagement, noting lower college completion and reduced political participation among those who leave church life.
- He reports many younger Americans see liberal identity as incompatible with Christianity and urges congregations to cultivate exposure to differences as a practical path to renewal.