“To me that’s simple: they’re sinners. The number of people for whom sunday services or even daily prayers are a kind of hypnotic or analgesic is ... huge.”
Huge indeed! There are some “catholic” countries where half the members or more never darken the door of a church all year.
It’s interesting. 30+ years ago in Mississippi the culture certainly supported parking one’s padded portion in a pew on Sundays, but my impression was that not many had made any soul-searching commitment about being there.
My attitude is, it’s our job to blow on the ember. If it’s meant to light up, God will hande that part.