Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture Cultural Update: Rise of Religiosity in Men; Trump's Messianic Imagery; The Ethics of Sports Gambling; Awareness in Vegetative Patients
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Apr 17, 2026 Conversation covers a surprising rise in religiosity among young men and what that shift might mean. They unpack political leaders using religious imagery and the tensions that creates. The moral and social costs of expanding sports gambling get compared to other cultural harms. New research on covert awareness in vegetative patients sparks deep ethical and theological questions.
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Young Men Showing Renewed Religious Interest
- Gallup found a 14-point rise (28% to 42%) in men under 30 saying religion is "very important," while religiosity among young women dropped, widening a gender gap.
- Sean McDowell and Scott Rae note ambiguous meaning of "very important," suggesting it may reflect desire for purpose/community more than firm belief in objective truth.
Meaning Drives Return More Than Propositional Belief
- Many new religious seekers appear motivated by meaning, tradition, and feeling "holy," not necessarily by assenting to objective truth.
- Scott Rae warns faith rooted only in felt purpose can be transient when a different meaning-provider appears.
Pause And Reflect Before Reacting To Provocative Posts
- Pause before reacting to provocative religious-political imagery and examine assumptions and blind spots.
- Scott Rae models the step: ask what is being stated, whether it's Jesus, and consider Proverbs and Ecclesiastes about measured speech.