In popular media, religious people are sometimes portrayed as sober, serious, no fun, and overall not very happy. Billy Joel’s famous line comes to mind: “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun.”

The iconic film “Footloose” likewise embodies this stereotype through its portrayal of Reverend Shaw Moore. A stern small-town minister, Moore bans dancing and is generally depicted as opposing joy and self-expression. Through Moore’s character, the film implies that devout religious belief is incompatible with spontaneity, fun, freedom and happiness.

Other anecdotes, though not as prominent in the public mind, offer a different narrative. Kirsten Powers grew up somewhat religious , but by college her self-described “flimsy” faith collapsed in

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