Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD) is a term that was coined by Christian sociologists to describe the religious beliefs held by many American teenagers and young adults. The researchers found that the religious views of many young people diverged significantly from the traditional teachings of Christianity and other faiths. Instead, they embraced a set of beliefs characterized by individualism, moral relativism, and a therapeutic focus on feeling good about oneself.
The core tenets of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism can be summarized as follows:
- A belief in a distant, non-interventionist deity or deities that created the world but do not directly engage with it.
- Viewing the central goal of life as being happy and feeling good about oneself.
- Believing that good people go to heaven when they die.
- A focus on being a morally good person, but without adherence to any specific moral code.
- The idea that the main purpose of religion is to provide therapeutic benefits to the self.
- Believing that all religious belief systems are equally valid and true.
Proponents of MTD argue that it represents a more enlightened, tolerant form of faith that eschews dogmatism and exclusivism. However, critics contend that it reflects an impoverished, self-centered view of religion that does not demand moral responsibility, self-sacrifice, or service to others.
Origins of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
In 2005, Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton published the findings of a study examining the religious beliefs of American teenagers and young adults. The data came from in-depth interviews with approximately 3,000 people ages 13 to 25. Smith and Denton identified a set of common beliefs cutting across religious lines that they termed “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.”
According to the researchers, MTD has become the dominant religious perspective adopted by American youth of all faith backgrounds. The exception is evangelical Protestant teens, who tended to hold more traditional orthodox Christian beliefs. Smith and Denton hypothesized that MTD partly arises from parents and religious leaders advocating an inclusive, simplistic message about being a “good person” without emphasizing specific theological doctrines or moral requirements.
Other factors potentially promoting MTD include:
- Exposure to diverse religious viewpoints and moral perspectives through the internet and media.
- Cultural emphasis on tolerance, inclusion, and affirmation of all beliefs and lifestyles.
- Backlash against perceived rigidity, exclusivism, and judgmental attitudes in some traditional faiths.
- Belief that religion’s primary role is to psychologically validate one’s chosen beliefs and lifestyle.
As a result, traditional Christian principles like sin, repentance, evangelism, and Bible study have receded in importance for many American youth, replaced by a more individualistic, feel-good spirituality.
A Non-Interventionist, Therapeutic God
A defining feature of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is the view of God as a distant Creator who set the world and its natural laws in motion but does not actively intervene in human affairs. This contrasts with biblical Christianity’s depiction of a personal, loving God intimately involved with creation.
MTD advocates appreciate God’s role in establishing moral principles that encourage ethical behavior and spiritual growth. However, they do not believe God judges human sin or redeems people through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Nor do they think God answers prayer, communicates directly with humans, or performs miracles that defy natural laws.
For MTD adherents, the purpose of faith is inner spiritual renewal, not obedience to divine commandments. They view God as a benign force who provides therapeutic benefits to the human psyche. Believing in this divine being gives meaning, comfort, and validation to one’s chosen path. But an afterlife reward is earned by being morally good, not through Jesus Christ.
This represents a radical departure from biblical teachings like:
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12)
MTD sees no need for conversion, moral struggle, or spiritual discipleship. The therapeutic god serves to ratify one’s self-esteem, not to transform the inner person. This reflects contemporary culture’s high value on self-affirmation over moral formation.
Happiness and Moral Relativism
MTD advocates place a high priority on feeling good, being happy, and having a positive self-image. Traits like self-sacrifice, moral duty, humility, and obedience to God’s commands receive less emphasis. The focus is on using one’s faith to pursue self-fulfillment, not conforming oneself to biblical principles or virtuous character.
Flowing from this is a strong embrace of moral relativism. Rather than following clear scriptural precepts governing right and wrong, MTD adherents treat morality as a matter of personal opinion. Biblical mandates around sexuality, honesty, life protection, family commitments, and stewardship are discarded if they clash with one’s preferences.
This flies in the face of biblical authority passages like:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Instead of moral formation, the goal is self-affirmation. Religion is viewed as a tool for rationalizing one’s chosen lifestyle, rather than bringing it into greater alignment with God’s will as revealed in Scripture.
Afterlife Without Atonement
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism parts ways with biblical Christianity also in its vision of the afterlife. For MTD, being a morally good person results in going to heaven when you die, regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs. There is no need for repentance from sin, placing faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross, confession of Jesus’ lordship, or receiving God’s grace.
The criteria for heaven entrance are seen as basically being kind, fair, responsible, and caring. While these are certainly good traits, the Bible directly contradicts salvation through personal moral merit. Verses like these clearly proclaim faith in Christ as the exclusive pathway to heaven:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
MTD rejects Christ’s sacrificial death as necessary payment for human sin. It also denies people’s need to turn from sin and receive God’s redemption through Jesus. Moral virtue serves as the ticket to heavenly reward, not humbly submitting to the biblical gospel message.
Validating All Religious Perspectives
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism resonates with postmodern culture’s emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and tolerance. This leads to a universalist perspective affirming all religious and spiritual worldviews as equally valid and true. Biblical warnings against false teaching are ignored or rationalized away.
Rather than proclaiming Christ as the sole way to God, MTD advocates believe multiple religious paths – or even no religion at all – can result in salvation and heaven. This contradicts Scripture’s clear description of Jesus as the only source of eternal life:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
By elevating subjective experience and emotional fulfillment over objective biblical truth, MTD essentially idolizes personal preference and human wisdom over God’s unambiguous commands and warnings.
Critiques and Concerns
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism has garnered significant criticism, especially from theologically conservative Christians. They raise several concerns about MTD’s divergence from orthodox biblical principles:
- Denies the personal, loving, sovereign God clearly portrayed in Scripture
- Rejects human sin and the need for repentance and redemption in Christ
- Offers no firm moral compass arising from God’s commands
- Makes human happiness the highest aim rather than glorifying God
- Treats Christianity as one valid option among many religions
- Does not recognize Jesus Christ as humanity’s exclusive savior and lord
- Eschews evangelism in favor of personal spiritual quest
- Subverts biblical authority to elevate subjective preferences
Some Christians argue MTD reflects shallow church teaching and excessive accommodation of popular culture. They urge renewal of comprehensive biblical instruction and morally formative discipleship.
Skeptics also note MTD’s vagueness on concepts like faith, worship, and prayer. They contend its therapeutic benefits resemble positive psychology more than genuine spiritual transformation. MTD’s lack of definitive truth claims or moral authority make it less a formal religion than a diffuse spirituality focused on self.
Proponents counter that MTD represents a modern evolution of faith emphasizing general revelation over specific doctrines. They appreciate how it affirms pluralism and focuses on broader ethical concerns like social justice over sectarian divides. But critics argue that MTD’s inherent relativism undermines its ability to offer genuine moral or spiritual authority.
Decline in Religious Affiliation
Recent polls showing a dramatic rise in religiously unaffiliated Americans, especially among millennials and Generation Z, have sparked debate about MTD’s potential influence. This growing “spiritual but not religious” demographic often embraces the existential therapeutic mindset while rejecting formal religious identity.
Some researchers contend MTD has served as a gateway toward complete divestment from institutional religion in a large segment of younger generations. Having imbibed vaguely theistic and moralistic platitudes while young, they feel no deep allegiance prompting ongoing church affiliation later in life.
Sociologists also note a marked decline in distinctly Christian beliefs like Christ’s divinity and the existence of sin among the religiously unaffiliated. This suggests that MTD’s departure from orthodoxy bears fruit in apathy toward theological claims undergirding the biblical gospel message.
In this sense, MTD provides insufficient grounding to sustain conviction or community. Critics call it an “untrue truth” that ultimately fails to answer humanity’s deepest spiritual and existential questions.
Potential Responses
Ongoing debates continue regarding the merits, appeal, and long-term viability of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Proposed responses within Christianity include:
- Renewed emphasis on Scripture and core doctrines
- Calling young people to live out costly discipleship
- Authentically modeling deep faith in congregations
- Cultivating expectation of God’s supernatural works
- Exposing superficiality of “feel-good” messaging
- Building intergenerational relationships
- Reframing outreach for unaffiliated populations
- Highlighting joyful surrender to Christ’s lordship
Many believers see rejecting MTD’s tenets while proclaiming Jesus’ gospel of grace and truth as key to revitalizing Christian witness. They also emphasize making churches welcoming but expectant environments for encountering biblical teaching.
By authentically modeling Christlike character and lifestyles of moral and spiritual integrity, Christians can offer compelling alternatives to MTD’s perceived superficiality. Alongside clear proclamation of the biblical gospel, these efforts may help meet widespread hunger for meaning and community in a fragmented, disoriented culture.