How many times have you heard someone mutter, “Oh My God!” in your lifetime? Although this saying is common, a survey by Pew Research Center found that 35 percent of millennials don’t claim any connection to God at all. Instead, they are classified as “nones.” These people are either atheist, agnostic or don’t identify with any particular religion. Compared to baby boomers, millennials boast twice the number of non-religiously associated individuals.
Why? Here are facts, expert opinions and stories behind this recent phenomenon.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
An article by CNN suggests that lifestyle changes may play a significant role in millennials’ rejection of religion. For instance, Americans are marrying later in life, marrying people with different religious beliefs and having fewer children. Without the typical nuclear family structure, millennials may view the typical Christian tradition as less necessary.
INCREASED PREFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUALITY
According to Pew Research’s interview with Michael Hout, a Professor of Sociology at New York University, the change in American values may also have changed Americans’ views toward religion. As Hout explains, while parents often praise their children’s individuality and ability to make their own choices, these values often conflict with churches’ emphases on tradition and obedience. Religion becomes more of a “do-it-yourself” project than an expected part of life.
INTERNET USE
While the internet often seems like a scapegoat for many societal problems, research from Allen Downey, a computer scientist at Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts, suggests that internet use is a legitimate factor in the lower number of religious millennials. After analyzing religious trends from various surveys, Downey discovered that people using the internet a few hours per week were two percent more likely not to claim a religion.
Correlation doesn’t always indicate causation. However, Downey believes that the Internet could be increasing people’s awareness of different beliefs and allowing like-minded believers to connect online. This “connectedness” could allow people with religious doubts to find others who are similarly skeptical. In a way, though, bonding over and communicating about religious doubts could be a spiritual experience in itself – one that doesn’t require entering the halls or pews of a church.
TARNISHED REPUTATION OF THE CHURCH
As an article at The G Brief explains, the church’s reputation may be partly responsible for the decreased number of religious millennials. Seeing videos or reading news stories about religious extremists or abusive religious figures have become common parts of a millennial’s everyday life. Combined with the fact that religion is often connected to politically conservative beliefs, many millennials might be distancing themselves from an institution they view as abusive, corrupt or against their own politically liberal views.
SPIRITUAL VS. RELIGIOUS
The G Brief article also suggests that millennials have become less religious but not less spiritual. In fact, instead of participating in religious institutions, millennials are “connecting” with the Earth and the natural world. For many millennials, following an organized set of religious beliefs pales when compared to feeling a part of something “bigger.” Perhaps millennials aren’t denying religion itself when they don’t claim it. Instead, they’re just claiming a different kind of religious affiliation: spirituality.
