Americans haven't found a satisfying alternative to religion

Excerpt of the New York Times PDF download:

"I spent my 20s worshiping at the altar of work and, in my free time,

testing secular ideas for how to live well.

I built a community. I volunteered. I cared for my nieces and

nephews. I pursued wellness. I paid for workout classes on Sunday

mornings, practiced mindfulness, went to therapy, visited saunas

and subscribed to meditation apps. I tried book clubs and running

clubs. I cobbled together moral instruction from books on

philosophy and whatever happened to move me on Instagram.

Nothing has felt quite like that chapel in Arkansas.

America’s secularization was an immense social transformation.

Has it left us better off? People are unhappier than they’ve ever

been and the country is in an epidemic of loneliness. It’s not just

secularism that’s to blame, but those without religious affiliation in

particular rank lower on key metrics of well-being. They feel less

connected to others, less spiritually at peace and they experience

less awe and gratitude regularly."