America is not post-Christian, or secular or pagan, as too many allege, Douthat insists. Christianity remains the overwhelming "controlling influence," and Americans are as religious, or more so, than ever. But with traditional churches weakened, they are also increasingly heretical in their faith understanding. Americans have traditionally reinvented their religion, he readily admits.

Written by Jason DeParle and Sylvia Tavernise, the story noted that the change appears to be occurring from the bottom up, with the white working class now adopting the cultural norms-or lack thereof-long associated with the African-American population. Despite all the brouhaha about Murphy Brown, the fictional TV newscaster who elected for single motherhood, in reality upper-income, college-educated women remain largely immune to the contagion:

"Jefferson's vision of a simpler, purer, apolitical Christianity couldn't be further from the 21st-century American reality," Sullivan concluded.

But despite bashing the current shape of all churches, the author does not offer a plausible solution, his critics retort.

The article resulted in arguably the most popular American evangelical pastor, Rick Warren, calling the piece "insulting." "Is that the best you can do??" he Tweeted at the author.

Yes ... we follow, generally, the same structure. But it is (and has always been) much more than this. It involves people having an ongoing connection with God through Jesus, ... and being connected with other Christian believers. People need to take responsibilities for their own journeys, and Liberty can facilitate that. If people need help in more professional settings, then we can refer them onto a professional Christian counsellor or psychologist.