Shadi Hamid on Morning Joe. The single worst guest I think I have ever seen on that show.

[shrike3]

17. I sort of agree with him.

With one in five Americans having no religion, you'd think our lives would be all about science, reason, etc. Hell no, I know an awful lot of non-religious people, and they are into some of the craziest shit I've ever heard. I think some people just need to believe in something and they cabbage onto whatever happens to grabs their fancy. I know devout Catholic ladies who pray the rosary every day but also watch Rachel Maddow and say, "Trust the science." I know stone atheists who say, "It's all a hoax." Go figure.

I also see a rise in nihilism, for lack of a better word. Nothing matters, it's all bullshit, etc. Belief in nothing. If you believe in nothing, why even believe in people? (My observations only.)

That said, what he recommends is impossible: America will continue its drift toward the secular. You can't put the genie back in the bottle. But surely there are ways to cultivate community that don't involve religion.