Black Sabbath posed the question : Is God Dead ?

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As People get older and more disaffected with failing political systems, what could be more appealing than an imaginary superpower that can fix everything ?

I disengage, I turn the page.

I remember growing up & songs of praise filled a large chunk of Sunday early evening TV (Yes I am that old) as time passed it was whittled down to an hours programme & then eventually disappeared altogether - I didn't personally mind because I am not particularly religious but it did signal (at least for me) a tailing off of religious significance in everyday life.

Sorry, but Songs of Praise was never as long a programme as you are suggesting. Perhaps you are merging it with some other religious programming.

Your perceived decline of Songs of Praise may well indicate a tailing-off of Christian significance in everyday life, but other religions are obviously (many would say insidiously) gaining in significance; Islam for example.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

Quite possibly so - my parents would likely have been watching similar programmes throughout the early Sunday evening on various channels, quite frankly back then I wouldnt have been interested enough to have noticed except for it being the period that followed late Sunday lunch but before anything interesting came on the TV.

A very interesting question, provoked some thought from me on a major issue today and throughout history: that of 'Depression'

Many years ago when the man in the street (or village) had troubling doubts and vexing thoughts he would consider himself "Far from God", the concept and term 'Depression' did not yet exist. He would therefore, go to his local Priest or Holy Man/Woman (mostly men) and express his vexing thoughts and malady as more a spiritual malaise. THe Priest may recommend prayer and service and offer to pray for the poor soul.

By the Victorian age, what we call depression would have become less of a spiritual malady and more termed as melancholy with some understanding of individual personality and entirely worldly causes. Doubtless people still sought solace in religion.

With Freud and modern neurochemistry, feeling negative thoughts has become a brain chemical imbalance and 'Clinical Depression'. Religion would be the last respite for most people to resolve such low mood and 'affective disorder'.

So I think science has largely replaced spiritual queries and needs for most people. However, I would point to the current interest in mindfulness and such as a blend of spiritual discipline and mental health

Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.

It just felt like it.

One more point