(blink) Religion is a more powerful force in today's world than, say, five hundred years ago? Secularism has lost ground relative to then? Really?

That's a surprising claim; I'd like to see it backed up with an argument.

Conversely, if you aren't claiming that, I'd recommend thinking about why it isn't true, as it suggests that theorizing that religion will always win out over secularism is missing something critical.