ARGUING YES
US Senator from Connecticut
ARGUING YES
Director of Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health
ARGUING NO
Author of “America the Anxious: How Our Pursuit of Happiness Is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks”
ARGUING NO
Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation
MODERATOR
Host and Moderator-in-Chief
This week:
- New episode: Does religion address America’s loneliness issues?
- A closer look at how Americans view religion’s influence
- Your Sunday reading list
Are you feeling lonely? Even if you are not, there’s a good chance that you know someone who is grappling with this uncomfortable feeling. In fact, sixty percent of Americans feel more alone than ever.
A few years ago, former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy famously declared a loneliness epidemic and defined it as a public health crisis worth solving, especially since it is linked to depression, anxiety, heart disease, and other serious health issues. It also poses a risk to our democracy, where there is a lack of community and purpose in finding the greater good in society.
Some say that religion could provide the answer. They say faith and the surrounding communal structures foster connection and heal isolation.
But skeptics question this claim and point to secular solutions.
Arguing religion can solve the loneliness epidemic, is Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who has called for federal action to address the problem, and Dr. Harold Koenig, the Director of Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health. Arguing that religion is not necessarily the answer to this systemic problem is Ruth Whippman, author of “America the Anxious: How Our Pursuit of Happiness Is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks” and the recent book “BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity,” and Dan Barker, the co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
Is religion the answer to the declared loneliness crisis? Listen to the debate now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and NPR. As always, let us know what you think.
DEBATING THE DATA
Is the decline in religious influence leading to a loss in community?
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic?
YES: Sen. Chris Murphy
“Religion is a place where you find meaning and purpose, serving God, or being part of a community and giving back to the community members in that church. It’s clearly a place where you find others, where you find connection. You’re out of your house, you’re in an in-person setting with people who have common interests as you, and it’s a place where you get a connection to the common good. You learn selflessness in a place like a church.”
NO: Ruth Whippman
“Religion’s grip on our public and political life is tightening. Instead of this leading to a more pro-social and connected America, the result has been a more divided, less tolerant, less inclusive, more sexist and less safe nation for millions of people. It’s no coincidence that the countries that consistently rank as the least lonely and the most socially connected in the world are the least religious societies, such as those in Scandinavia.”
YES: Harold Koenig
“Religious faith is something that nourishes a person’s spirit and their emotions and their connections with others. All of the major religions encourage loving your neighbor, caring for your neighbor… Certainly there are religions that are exclusive and welcome people from different ideas and thoughts, but there are many good faith traditions that bring life and joy and happiness into people’s lives and bring these social connections that can reduce loneliness.”
NO: Dan Barker
“There are many ways to find community. There’s local clubs, volunteering, hobby groups, musical groups, political activism, charity work, and much more. If loneliness can be abated by connecting with the community, then its religious nature is irrelevant. It’s the horizontal social connection, not the vertical religious component, that might make any difference in addressing loneliness.”
WEEKLY POINTS OF VIEW
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Aruna D’Souza | February 14, 2025
The New York Times
Watch Aruna’s debate on whether we should separate art from the artist
Jason Furman | February 10, 2025
Foreign Affairs
Watch Jason’s debate on America’s economic outlook
Karl Rove | February 12, 2025
The Wall Street Journal
Watch Karl’s debate on whether George W. Bush was the worst president in the last fifty years
Is being single bad for the economy?
Allison Schrager | February 12, 2025
Bloomberg
Watch Allison’s debate on whether we should address the gender wage gap
Hear Both Sides and Bridge Divides
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