You're Not "Spiritual But Not Religious," You're Catholic and Don't Know It Yet

In this episode of Godsplaining, hosts Father Joseph Anthony Kress and Father Patrick Briscoe tackle the cultural phenomenon of being 'spiritual but not religious,' a label that peaked among millennials but is now in decline. They argue that many who identify this way are, in fact, already Catholic at heart—drawn to core Catholic truths like the existence of God, the desire to worship, and a natural moral law—but are afraid to commit to the Church's structure, sacraments, and community. The hosts critique the individualism and relativism underlying the 'spiritual but not religious' identity, emphasizing that true spirituality is not found in isolation but in the Church's liturgy, tradition, and communal worship. They highlight a hopeful trend: Gen Z and young adults are increasingly returning to the Church, drawn by authentic community and transcendent worship, as seen in growing numbers of inquirers in New York. The episode concludes with a call to embrace the Church not as a burden, but as the fulfillment of the human heart's deepest longings—restless hearts seeking truth, beauty, and communion with God.