The Allure of the Hard path: Exploring Modern Conversion adn the Persistence of Belief
The contemporary search for meaning often leads individuals to explore faith, a journey increasingly documented and analyzed. Recent works by Katherine Osgood (“Godstruck”) and eliza Griswold (“don’t Forget We’re Here Forever”) offer compelling, yet contrasting, perspectives on this phenomenon. Osgood seeks to illuminate the process of religious conversion for those outside the faith, while Griswold’s subjects frequently enough actively resist such easy intelligibility, fearing a diluted faith loses its power. This inherent tension – between making faith accessible and preserving its unique boundaries – lies at the heart of the modern religious experience, particularly as individual choice has become paramount.
For centuries, religion has adapted, evolving alongside societal shifts. Lincoln A.Mullen’s insightful 2017 history, “The Chance of Salvation,” meticulously details how modern American religion wasn’t simply affected by the nation’s development, but actively shaped it. Mullen highlights the emergence of new belief systems, hybrid theologies, reactionary fundamentalism, and a growing emphasis on personalized faith. He famously chronicles the 19th-century invention of “the sinner’s prayer,” a streamlined conversion tool that reduced a complex spiritual process to a single act of confession. while lauded by some as an effective evangelistic technique, others condemned it as a superficial distortion of genuine faith. As one critic lamented, such revivalist practices often resulted in a “superficial and cold” religion, lacking depth beyond fleeting emotional experiences.
Today, the religious landscape is arguably more accessible than ever before. The internet provides a constant stream of exposure to diverse belief systems, offering potential pathways to conversion with unprecedented ease.(Consider the case of max, in “Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever,” who was drawn to conservative Christianity through YouTube videos featuring anti-abortion pastors.) Yet, what’s truly remarkable is that many seeking faith aren’t opting for the easiest route. Rather, they appear to choose the harder path - one that actively challenges the norms and conveniences of the modern world.
This desire for a demanding faith is exemplified by Orianne, a woman featured in “godstruck,” who chooses to enter a nunnery, specifically drawn to the rigorous commitment of lifelong celibacy. She articulates this choice with a surprising pragmatism, comparing it to the sacrifices inherent in marriage: “When you marry somebody you give up a lot, including some things that we would label as freedoms…you’re tied to someone; you’ve bound yourself to someone. So it’s kind of a similar thing.” This isn’t a rejection of connection, but a deliberate embrace of constraint, a seeking of meaning through discipline.
Writing about faith presents a unique challenge.As Eliza Ash, author of “don’t Forget,” discovers during a visit to an evangelical youth gathering (a setting she initially finds aesthetically and politically jarring – the sight of FAITH! spray-painted on a building prompting a cigarette and a mental pep talk), the realm of belief frequently enough transcends the boundaries of empirical evidence. She recounts an encounter with a teenager who claims to have a “word from God” – the single word ”Beloved” – to share. Ash explains this practice as “treasure hunting,” a form of evangelism involving listening for divine guidance to offer strangers. Despite not yet identifying as a Christian, Ash is unexpectedly moved to tears.
this moment encapsulates the core difficulty of articulating faith. Belief operates in a space that resists quantification, verification, and objective corroboration. It thrives on the subjective, the personal, and often, the seemingly inexplicable. However, religion itself provides a rich lexicon for describing the forces that draw people inward: being set apart, purified, chosen, favored, ordained, redeemed, made holy. ultimately, it’s about conversion.
This exploration of modern conversion reveals a fascinating paradox: in a world offering unprecedented freedom and choice, many are actively seeking the structure, discipline, and profound meaning found in traditions that demand commitment, sacrifice, and a leap of faith. It’s a testament to the enduring human need for something beyond the material, a longing for connection to something larger than oneself, and a willingness to embrace the “hard path” in pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.
Keep reading