Why Are Fewer People Trusting Religion Today?

People today are less trusting of religion than they used to be. This isn't just about recent scandals or bad news. It's been happening for a long time. Back in 1973, only 16% of Americans had little trust in religion. But by 2024, that number jumped to 35%. This drop in trust isn't just about religion. People are also losing faith in other big parts of society, like the government and the media. For example, in the past, most Americans trusted the news. But now, over half of them don't trust the press or TV. Why is this happening? One reason is that people expect more from religion. It's seen as something special, so when it doesn't live up to those high standards, the criticism can be harsh. Some people think religion might be making a comeback. They point to things like more discussions about faith in politics or on podcasts. But experts aren't so sure. They say there's not enough real proof to show that more people are going back to church or other places of worship. Still, there are signs that some young people are looking for deeper meaning. They might be turning to more traditional forms of religion. But for most young people, their phones and social media still take up most of their time. Even though fewer people are going to church, the desire for something bigger and more meaningful hasn't gone away. People just might be finding different ways to fill that need.