"What Faith Means to Me" | Global Conference 2025

Demographic Trends in Faith and Spirituality

• Religious affiliation in the U.S. has plateaued over the last six years, halting a previously inexorable decline.
• While religious identity continues to decline, spirituality remains pervasive: 83% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit, 86% believe in a soul, and 79% believe in something spiritual beyond the natural world.
• The U.S. stands out among G20 nations for its high levels of reported spirituality and religiosity compared to other high socioeconomic countries.
• Pew Research data indicates that 69% of Americans believe there are some things science cannot explain, suggesting a lack of intrinsic conflict between faith and scientific inquiry for most.
• Perception of conflict varies: 70% of highly religious Americans do not see a conflict between science and faith, whereas less religious Americans are more likely to perceive an inherent clash.

Impact of the Pandemic and Isolation

• The "loneliness epidemic," previously noted by the Surgeon General, intensified during COVID-19, with social isolation exacerbating spiritual and physical health crises.
• Research suggests the pandemic could have accelerated religious erosion or triggered a resurgence; current trends suggest a resurgence in the importance of community and faith.
• Pre-pandemic data showed one in three Americans did not know their neighbors' names; this metric worsened during isolation, creating conditions ripe for conspiracy theories.
• In the nine-month period between June 2021 and March 2022, 234,000 Americans died unnecessarily due to vaccine hesitancy, a demographic heavily skewed toward white evangelical Christians.
• Bishop T.D. Jakes noted that his church's streaming reach grew to 10 times its physical congregation size, with messages now being translated into 90 languages and reaching global audiences.

Divergent Strategies for Engagement

• Richard Sandler and Sharon Brous: Emphasized "snackable content" and digital platforms as necessary tools to reach the "majority" of Americans who consume information via TikTok and social media.
• Sharon Brous (IKAR): Argues that algorithm-driven engagement often prioritizes wealth/prosperity messages over calls to serve the sick and suffering; she advocates for "counter-testimonies" built on in-person encounters and deep relational connections rather than fighting algorithms.
• Michael Domic (Pew): Highlights that young people seek community and spirituality without necessarily adopting religious labels, viewing digital tools as an augmentation of, rather than a replacement for, in-person connection.
• Bishop T.D. Jakes: Proposes a multi-pronged approach that accepts digital convenience while emphasizing that it lacks the authenticity of physical fellowship; he urges leaders to "get the whole herd" by meeting generations where they are.

Science, Faith, and Truth

• Dr. Francis Collins (former NIH Director) reports that young people increasingly leave churches due to perceived hypocrisy and a rejection of science, particularly regarding evolutionary origins and climate change.
• Collins cites his foundation, BioLogos, as a successful model for fostering civil discourse between serious faith and rigorous science.
• Dr. Collins asserts the existence of objective truth (e.g., heliocentrism), arguing that dismissing facts based on personal discomfort leads to a slippery slope of misinformation.
• The panel identifies a crisis in "emotional language," where digital communication (emojis, tweets) erodes the ability to articulate pain, grief, and vulnerability.

Societal Division and the Role of Listening

• The panel agrees that media narratives often exaggerate societal division, with actual face-to-face interactions showing higher levels of camaraderie than digital discourse suggests.
• Hannah Arendt's assertion that a society where people do not know their neighbors is "pre-totalitarian" is cited as a warning against the dangers of isolation and tribalism.
• Dr. Collins and Bishop Jakes emphasize that enemies (external threats) often demonstrate greater unity than domestic groups; recognizing a shared humanity is essential for survival.
• The panel recommends "marriage counseling" techniques for public discourse: listening to understand rather than to refute, and practicing active listening to verify understanding of opposing views.

Forward-Looking Personal Commitments

• Dr. Francis Collins: Encourages individuals to address the "God-shaped vacuum" in their lives, suggesting that atheism is the least defensible position from a rational basis and urging deeper reflection on faith.
• Michael Domic: Urges a shift from distant, national-level online communities to localized, physical community interactions that form the true foundation of democracy.
• Bishop T.D. Jakes: Stresses that human essence is eternal and distinct from physical decay; he calls for individuals to expose their authentic selves in interactions rather than hiding behind professional or social titles.
• Rabbi Sharon Brous: Highlights the Hasidic practice of carrying two slips of paper ("I am but dust and ashes" vs. "For my sake the whole world was created") to balance humility with self-worth.
• Rabbi Brous (Conclusion): Cites the concept that "between stimulus and response, there is a space" where humans exercise the power to choose love, curiosity, and peace over division and war.