Kerby Anderson

The discussion earlier this month about the possible political future of Oprah Winfrey provides a commentary on America’s religious landscape. Ross Douthat reminds us that “We’ve heard about Oprah the entrepreneur, Oprah the celebrity, Oprah the champion of holistic medicine” etc. But the press usually ignores her place as a religious teacher to millions of Americans.

He also says we need to understand that there are “three broad approaches to religious questions: one traditional, one spiritual, and one secular.” The traditional approach may take various forms. There are Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, and Orthodox Jews. They believe in specific revelation, have a holy book, and follow various creeds.

The secular tradition is also easy to document. It is rooted in the Enlightenment, in rationalism, and in the scientific method. In previous commentaries, I have written about the New Atheists as well as the rise of the nones (Americans who have no religious preference).

In between these two traditions is the spiritual. No doubt you have heard friends or colleagues say “I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual.” This view encourages syncretism (merging various religious ideas) and relativism (no belief in absolutes). When Oprah Winfrey tells us to pursue “your truth” rather than “the truth,” she is talking to this broad tradition.

It is worth noting that Americans in the spiritual tradition aren’t very political, but they might be more involved if someone like Oprah Winfrey runs for office. And it is likely that some in the other traditions might be willing to cast a vote for her. Traditionalists might be attracted to someone who still uses religious language. Secularists might be attracted to someone who isn’t quite so dogmatic about religion and morality.