Religion or moral anarchy?

Sunday was Easter. Passover ends on Thursday. What better time to consider the role of religion in American life and where its absence will inevitably lead us?

The results of the latest Wall Street Journal values poll, released late last month, should serve as a combination wake-up call and cold shower. Especially for the young, religion and patriotism are out. Greed is in.

Overall, only 39% said religion was important to them, compared with 62% the first time the survey was taken in 1998. For those under 30, religion appeals...