The Nature of Human Depravity - Whither Religion?

In Chapter 1 on Recreation and Soreriology around page 31 the author touches on the point where Augustine describes religion as being directly connected to the influence of God on man alone. Though the idea that outside influences including the environment and the idea of reaching salvation through other means, such as ones self, were not yet accepted. Later we see how the change of society and through time the prospect of one contributing to their own salvation through outlets like the environment become more acceptable. In relation to what we know about modern religion I think it is relevant that we see more people taking their beliefs and what they consider their salvation into their own hands rather then be even connected to a denomination at all. So the idea that people have overtime push the bounds of the idea that one can only be truly devoted to God through our connection alone to him has what feels exponentially grown to the point of people purely relying on themselves. People today no longer feel helpless as Augustine would have described it and understand that you can enjoy a closer connection to God from the physical things on earth. The environment is a great example where in the book they compare it to in older generations as "mountain gloom" and in later generation "mountain glory" meaning that people could really enjoy leisure time outside rather then never have even experienced this outdoors mentality.