The Theists Strike Back – Rachel Lu

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat 's new book, Believe : Why Everyone Should Be Religious, doesn't even specify which religion readers should join.

The author doesn’t take his stand for “religion-in-general” because he is ashamed to be publicly Christian .

The first two chapters expose many of the weaknesses of materialism, with its inability to give a satisfactory explanation.

Douthat argues that people should explore the religious landscape for truth and purpose.

He says it's possible to glean something good from a religious tradition through an a la carte approach, but the rewards of commitment can be far richer.

Most serious faith traditions have deep stores of wisdom that can only really be tapped through years of formation and discipleship.

Frida Ghitis : Why do you think that Douthat’s approach to cultural reform can be successful? She says religious faith has been declining across the world.

She says the benefits of putting down roots (geographically and spiritually) become more evident over time.

Ghitis says some measure of traditionalist optimism is justified if one believes the modern world is philosophically adrift.