After decades of secularization, Americans are reconsidering religion—with Gen Z showing renewed interest in faith for the first time in decades. Pew data reveals secularization has paused; men under 30 citing religion as important jumped from 28% (2023) to 42% (2025). Producer Asthaa Chaturvedi explores why people are returning to belief amid political polarization, pandemic disruption, and a hunger for community and meaning beyond social media. The pandemic marked a turning point: secularization paused starting around 2020 as people confronted mortality and questioned whether their lives were working, particularly their careers and isolation.