Description: One of the leading social scientists studying religion and politics shows how much the American religious landscape has changed over the past 50 years and why polarization is destroying faith, community, and democracy.
Brief description: Ryan P. Burge (PhD, Southern Illinois University) is professor of practice at the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. He previously taught at Eastern Illinois University. His previous books include The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going and, with Jim Davis and Michael Graham, The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? Burge has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Politico and has appeared on 60 Minutes. He was the pastor of an American Baptist church for more than 17 years and lives in Mount Vernon, Illinois.