If religion is good for mental health, why are places of worship emptying today?

Study after study shows that people who are part of worshipping communities tend to have better health, less depression and a more positive outlook on life. But if that’s the case, why are so many people leaving religion? Or why aren’t more people seeking out places of worship as places to belong? That’s what a pastor asked me recently. 

Is it because religion gets such a bad rap in the media? Is it because places of worship do a poor job of telling their stories? Or is it because what they are doing really isn’t connecting with people today?

Read a reflection on that topic in my recent column in the Winnipeg Free Press.

Image from the National Association of Science Writers.