Right now, young men are more religious than young women. It could be that this trend is a better signifier of simple gender differences than of a sad decline in religiosity.

It is not as though the decline of young women’s religious participation has to do with heady theological preferences: Much of their departure is influenced by female ordination, abortion, and various social justice issues. They feel slighted by conservative standards or emotionally disturbed by given events, so they seek affirmation and commonality. Their convictions are strengthened in the process and echoed in broader national politics.