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Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
This Discussion will serve as the first of your interactions with the text and your classmates and will assist you in thinking through one of the prevailing worldviews in American culture. Christian Smith calls this “moralistic therapeutic deism.” After watching the presentation titled Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, respond to the following prompt:
- Do you think Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is an accurate reflection of society today?
- What are relevant examples you can provide that support your conclusion?
In your discussion, indicate to which of the points of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism you are responding throughout your post.
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Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
Discussion: Is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism an Accurate Reflection of Society Today?
Yes, I believe Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD), as defined by Christian Smith, is an accurate reflection of much of contemporary American culture, particularly among youth and even within some Christian communities. MTD consists of five core beliefs:
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A God exists who created and orders the world and watches over human life on earth.
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God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other.
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The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.
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God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when needed to resolve a problem.
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Good people go to heaven when they die.
Responding to Point #2 and #3:
Many people today, including those who identify as Christians, often reduce morality to simply “being nice.” The biblical message of repentance, holiness, and grace through faith in Christ is frequently replaced with the vague idea that as long as one is kind and nonjudgmental, they are “good.” Social media culture, self-help content, and popular entertainment continually reinforce this by promoting personal happiness and self-esteem as the ultimate goals of life. These reflect Point #3, where personal well-being trumps deeper spiritual formation or accountability to a higher authority.
Responding to Point #4:
We also see the influence of MTD in the way many approach prayer and religion: only turning to God when in crisis. This is common in the “thoughts and prayers” rhetoric that often surfaces after tragedies, without any real pursuit of ongoing relationship with God or spiritual transformation. It reflects a deistic view of God as distant and uninvolved in daily life.
Responding to Point #5:
Finally, the belief that “good people go to heaven” (Point #5) contradicts the core Christian teaching of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, this idea is prevalent even among those who attend church. It often leads to a works-based or comparison-based morality, where people assess their spiritual status by their own standards of goodness rather than God’s.
Conclusion:
MTD is appealing because it offers a non-demanding version of religion that aligns with modern individualism and consumerism. However, it lacks the depth, truth, and transformation found in biblical Christianity. As believers, we are called not just to be “nice” or “happy,” but to be holy (1 Peter 1:16), to take up our cross (Luke 9:23), and to pursue a real, daily relationship with the living God.