I never know how much living well in the sense that Petersen means actually influences conversions *to* a group, but I can definitely state that living badly (in the converse sense) puts people off converting (or drives people away — and that especially in the tumultuous years of adolescence and young adulthood when so much identity work gets done). But I also think part of the problem is that end of that kind community isn’t that important to people anymore. If you look at how/why people really do emulate each other, I think of things like diet — and that’s because those are the primary ends being promised that people are seeking (health, beauty, and long life) as opposed to right(eous) life on earth and eternal life after that.
But I also think part of the problem is that the end of that kind of community isn’t that important to people anymore.
I agree. Such virtues have gone from being highly valued to being just more options, and not especially attractive ones. On the one hand, I think this is due to growing ignorance of what underpins the good life–people want the benefits those virtues would bring, but believe (hope?) there are easier, more palatable ways to achieve them.
On the other hand, I believe more than ever that this thing about options is a sea change, that it’s a pipedream to think we could go back by somehow recommitting ourselves to the older models of church or community. I’d rather see the church/community commit itself to working with the new situation as it is, helping people sort through their newly available options. But I expect it will take a long time for those institutions to adjust to the new reality, with no assurance that the adjustment will be successful.
Speaking with my historian hat on — I agree. It’s usually impossible roll back cultural change.