As noted, the U.S. population now claims dramatically more secular identities — 50 years ago, only 5% were "religiously unaffiliated"; today, 29%. What seems odd to me, though, is how this contrasts with the turn toward authoritarian politics, including with a theocratic Christian bent, as well as toward conspiracy theories, none of which are rational, some of which have apocalyptic religious themes. If many (probably most) USAmericans don't want to be told what to believe or how to live their lives, why are they turning toward Christianized political campaigns as much as ever, and why do those politicians seem to have more power than ever?