Offline Religion: Pragmatism Over Theology on Social Media
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Key Takeaways
- American discussion online focuses on tangible outcomes over spiritual exploration, often eschewing theological discussion.
- Theology, while present, functions more as a rhetorical or moral support than as a common topic of online discourse.
- Online mediums and individualism dilute theological depth, embedding faith narratives within partisan and pragmatic agendas over reflective engagement.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
70,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
7 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
In the cacophony of online discussions, Americans less frequently center their arguments on theological understanding. Instead, worldly logic—particularly economic and political considerations—dominates their discourse.
While theology occasionally serves as a moral framework, it often does not shape core conversations about modern life. MIG Reports analysis shows theological discussion is dwarfed by topical and current events takes. While some say Americans are less concerned with religious topics, others suggest these conversations may be playing out offline.
Americans are certainly becoming less religious in the traditional sense, but that doesn't mean they're becoming more rational or empirical.
— Clay Routledge (@clayroutledge) February 17, 2017
Worldly Logic as the Priority
Economic concerns overshadow theological narratives across most conversations. Topics such as inflation, government spending, and job security consume the majority of discussions. This focus forms a results-driven culture that values tangible, practical outcomes over abstract spiritual ideals.
For example, users discuss rising grocery prices and gas costs with an urgency rooted in immediate personal impact. There is also a universal nature to these discussions as every American faces similar economic concerns, while religious conversations are often bespoke.
Moral Framing Without Depth
Though theological language does surface, it often serves as a justification for moral arguments placed within a religious belief system. Discussions about immigration and healthcare highlight moral obligations derived from faith but largely don't delve into theological specifics.
Invoking religion on issues like immigration often emphasizes compassion, yet the primary appeal is to practical solutions. People call for things like securing the border more often than they explore spiritual philosophies or presenting their perspective through religious understanding.
This pattern demonstrates that while theology influences moral reasoning, it does so indirectly, reinforcing rather than driving the dialogue.
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Division and Theology
In polarized exchanges, theology becomes a rhetorical tool for reinforcing political identities rather than a foundation for consensus-building. Conservatives often invoke religious narratives to justify nationalist or economic positions, while liberals occasionally reference theological ideals to critique perceived moral failings of policies or leaders.
Online theological discussions rarely seek to deepen understanding, instead amplifying entrenched ideological divides. For instance, comments supporting Israel often intertwine religious loyalty with political arguments, reflecting faith and nationalism related to practical outcomes.
Americans have become less religious and patriotic while placing a higher value on money, according to a new Gallup poll. Americans saying they believe religion is very important dropped from 48% in 2019 to 39% in 2023.
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) November 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/anH1w6RU5L pic.twitter.com/rxG4p1303W
Cultural and Structural Factors
The marginal role of theology suggests:
- Discourse often centers on worldly priorities, leaving little room for collective theological reasoning.
- Online platforms amplify emotional, results-oriented arguments, favoring the immediacy of economic and political topics over reflective theological debates.
- Cynicism toward institutions shifts reliance from theological ideals to pragmatic reasoning as a means of problem-solving.
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