Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is my favorite part of these weekly presentations because it gives me a chance to dig a little deeper into something that came up during the main episode.
But it’s not just about digging into what’s really going on beneath the surface of these ancient stories—it’s about digging beneath the surface of our lives too.
This week’s theme was all about the very human longing for comfort, safety, and support. And if you were with us for the main episode, you know we looked at how that desire gets mythologized in stories about shepherds, flocks, heavenly promises, and heroic messengers. But now, I want to zoom out a little and ask a bigger question—not just about belief, but about belonging.
Because what if the real draw of religion—especially in times like these—isn’t the theology or the miracles or even the idea of heaven? What if it’s just... not feeling alone? What if the thing people are actually craving most is community? A place where they’re seen. Where they’re accepted. A place where someone saves them a seat at the table. Even if the table also comes with a side of dogma.
That’s the premise we’re working with today: that what draws people to religion—especially in this weird cultural moment where belief is fading but religious attendance is rising a bit—what draws them to religion isn’t so much “faith in God”, but faith that someone will be there for them.
So that leads to a few honest questions: Why do religious spaces—especially the ones rooted in rigid belief—still feel so magnetic for so many people? What’s the secret sauce behind sacred rituals and symbols? And if people are leaving institutional religion but still craving ritual and community, is there a better way to meet that need?
Let’s dig into THAT!
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