Ruben Navarrette Reflects on Faith and Organized Religion

Columnist grapples with his relationship with God and the Catholic Church amid generational shifts in religious beliefs.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:54pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm, earthy tones, capturing a contemplative, introspective mood without any specific details or identifiable objects.A personal spiritual journey amid the shifting landscape of American religion.San Diego Today

In this personal commentary, columnist Ruben Navarrette discusses his evolving relationship with faith and organized religion. While he feels closer to God than ever, he has become disillusioned with the Catholic Church and organized religion in general due to scandals and a perceived lack of moral leadership. Navarrette shares his reasons for leaving the Catholic Church and his current practice of attending a mostly white Evangelical Christian church near his home, despite feeling uncomfortable as one of the few Latinos there.

Why it matters

Navarrette's reflections on his spiritual journey mirror broader trends in American religion, with declining Catholic affiliation and rising interest in spirituality among younger generations. His commentary touches on complex issues of faith, community, and social justice that many Americans are grappling with.

The details

Navarrette, a Catholic journalist, stopped attending mass nearly a decade ago after the Boston Globe's 2002 investigation into the Catholic Church's cover-up of a pedophilia scandal involving priests. He felt uncomfortable with the thought that his donations could be used to pay settlements with abuse victims. While he has developed a personal relationship with God, he is uncomfortable with the leadership and actions of many organized religious institutions. In the past year, he has started attending a mostly white Evangelical Christian church near his home to support his 16-year-old daughter's desire to get closer to God, but he is troubled by the church's silence on immigration issues despite the Bible's pro-immigrant stance.

  • Navarrette stopped attending mass nearly a decade ago, in the wake of the 2002 Boston Globe investigation.
  • In February 2025, the Pew Research Center released a survey showing that only 19% of Americans self-identified as Catholic, down from 24% in 2007, and that for every 100 people who join the Catholic Church, 840 leave.
  • For the last year, Navarrette has been attending a mostly white Evangelical Christian church near his home.

The players

Ruben Navarrette

A Catholic columnist and journalist who has grappled with his faith and relationship with organized religion.

Arthur C. Brooks

A Harvard professor, best-selling author, and happiness expert who attends Catholic mass every morning with his wife.

Bob Dylan

Navarrette's idea of a prophet, whom he quotes in the commentary.

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What they’re saying

“I come back to where I started. I don't need a middleman when I speak to God — especially when so many of those men are so flawed.”

— Ruben Navarrette, Columnist

“The Bible is unequivocally pro-immigrant. Yet, about the raid, or the larger immigration issue, the pastor — a white man with a passion for surfing —has said nothing. Not a word. Not for the entire year.”

— Ruben Navarrette, Columnist

The takeaway

Navarrette's personal journey reflects the complex relationship many Americans have with organized religion, as they seek spiritual fulfillment while grappling with the flaws and moral failings of religious institutions and leaders. His commentary highlights the generational shifts in religious beliefs and the ongoing tension between faith and social justice.