Now Is the Time for New Interfaith Connections

Over the past few decades, the religious landscape of America has transformed in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Historically, Christian groups—particularly white evangelical Protestants—wielded significant influence in public life. Leaders like Jerry Falwell Sr., for instance, helped shape social policy through the Moral Majority movement in the late 1970s and 1980s. Their churches often served as de facto community centers, and their leaders’ endorsements were actively sought by political candidates.

Today, Christianity is no longer the cultural powerhouse it used to be. While white evangelical Christians remain politically significant and played a crucial role in both Donald Trump’s 2016 victory and last week (coming in at more than 80 percent each time), their ability to shape broader cultural narratives and social norms has diminished significantly, particularly among younger generations and in major urban centers.