Signs of Spiritual Awakening in the West Spark Debate at New York Encounter

Amid the buzz of the New York Encounter this past Saturday, experts gathered to discuss what some call a “quiet resurgence” of faith in the West.

The annual conference, organized by members of Communion and Liberation, has long been a hub for examining cultural, religious, and philosophical trends.

This year, the spotlight was on whether belief in God is genuinely making a comeback.

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Stability Amid Long-Term Decline

Chip Rotolo, a research associate at Pew Research Center, presented recent data indicating that while U.S. religious affiliation has fallen from 78% in 2007 to 63% today, it has held steady since 2020.

“The fact that the religious decline we’re so used to seeing is leveled off is a huge shift,” he explained, highlighting how participation, church attendance, and daily prayer have remained remarkably stable.

Rotolo pointed out that this stabilization began during the COVID-19 pandemic—a period when many observers expected religious engagement to drop sharply.

“If you already had one foot out the door at your church, it would have been easy to step away,” he said. “But we’ve seen this remarkable stability. That has drawn a lot of attention, curiosity, and hope.”

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Spiritual Outlook Remains Widespread

Beyond affiliation numbers, Pew’s research shows that an overwhelming 92% of Americans maintain some form of spiritual belief. This includes conviction in souls, God, an afterlife, or some transcendent reality.

“Something is definitely shifting in American religious life,” Rotolo added, cautioning that the exact nature of the change remains open to interpretation.

Attendees of the “Hungry for Belonging” panel were keen to explore what these numbers really mean for modern culture, particularly in a society that has long been trending secular.

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Cultural Shifts Away from “New Atheism”

Panelist Justin Brierley, author of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, noted that the early 2000s saw the rise of prominent atheist voices, like Richard Dawkins, who championed science and secular materialism as alternatives to faith.

However, Brierley observed a notable pivot over the last decade: public intellectuals began openly acknowledging Christianity’s influence on Western civilization, and some even professed religious belief.

He cited the high-profile conversion of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who in late 2023 published a viral essay titled “Why I’m Now a Christian.” “If Ayaan Hirsi Ali—arguably one of the most prominent former atheists in the world—has changed her mind, it could happen to anyone,” Brierley remarked.

The example underscores a broader cultural curiosity and reconsideration of faith among those who had previously dismissed it.

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The Search for Belonging Extends Beyond Churches

Lauren Jackson, religion columnist at The New York Times, discussed her outlet’s new series Believing, inspired by Pew’s findings.

She highlighted Americans’ persistent desire for connection, meaning, and community—even if those needs aren’t met within traditional religious institutions.

Alternatives such as wellness communities, sports clubs, or even social saunas are increasingly filling the spiritual and communal void.

Jackson emphasized that while not everyone is returning to church, the human need for transcendence and shared purpose remains strong. The trend reflects a search for belonging that transcends conventional religious participation.

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Reflection on Science, Technology, and Happiness

Brierley also explored why atheism and materialist science have not entirely satisfied modern seekers.

“When you look at where culture has actually gone and the science and technology we put in, it turns out we have made ourselves unhappier,” he said.

Many appear to be re-evaluating purely secular narratives in favor of frameworks that provide moral, existential, and communal grounding.

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What’s Next?

The conversation at New York Encounter suggests the West may be entering a period of spiritual curiosity, rather than a full-scale religious revival.

Researchers and cultural commentators will continue monitoring these shifts, paying attention to how Americans pursue belonging and meaning.

Future studies may investigate whether these patterns solidify into renewed institutional faith or remain largely personal and informal.

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Summary

Experts at the New York Encounter discussed indications of renewed spiritual engagement in the West.

Chip Rotolo of Pew Research Center noted that although overall U.S. religious affiliation has declined over decades, it has stabilized since 2020, with 92% of Americans expressing some form of spiritual belief.

Panelists including Justin Brierley and Lauren Jackson highlighted cultural shifts away from “New Atheism” and the ongoing human search for belonging and transcendence, even outside traditional church settings.

While not declaring a full revival, the discussions reflect a meaningful shift in Western religious and spiritual life.