According to a study done by Grey Matter Research & Consulting of Phoenix, AZ, Millennials (18-29 year olds) “are a unique generation in our country’s recent history, in that their religious beliefs are fairly typical, yet their knowledge, experience, and willingness to act on or commit seriously to those beliefs lags other generations. They are not antagonistic toward religious faith, but often have a serious apathy or latency related to their faith.” Here are more excerpts from the report:
Research has long shown that during the transition from teen years to adulthood (from 16 or 17 through the early 20s), Americans have historically tended to move away from religious participation, then often started returning as they mature and have children of their own. What our research suggests is that for Millennials, this transition away from church started happening earlier than it did for other generational groups – as early as junior high school, rather than during the college age years. We hear so much that “kids grow up sooner these days” – apparently this extends to religious participation as well.
Looking back on their religious attendance prior to age 18, Millennials are less likely than other adults to say their childhood involvement made them much more interested in religion as an adult, or to feel it had a highly positive influence on their life today. In addition, Millennials are somewhat less likely to feel their childhood attendance has given them a good moral foundation, provided important religious knowledge, or helped them prepare for life as an adult, according to our research.
- Only 65% of Millennials say their religious faith is very important in their life today, compared to 71% of Generation X, 78% of Boomers, and 80% of Silents
- Just 35% of Millennials agree strongly that they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today, compared to 41% of Generation X, 51% of Boomers, and 54% of Silents
- Only 26% of Millennials agree strongly that eternal salvation is possible through God’s grace alone; that nothing we do can earn salvation – compared to 31% among Generation X, 32% among Boomers, and 40% among Silents
We find no difference between Millennials and other age groups on things such as the belief that:
- The Bible is the written word of God and is totally accurate in all that it teaches
- They, personally, have a responsibility to tell other people about their religious beliefs
- Jesus was sinless when he lived on earth
- There is such a thing as sin
- God is the omniscient, omnipotent, perfect ruler of the universe
Notice that on issues of belief, Millennials are often quite similar to other age groups. It’s on the issues of importance of their religious faith, on commitment to Jesus Christ, on the absolutism of reliance on grace, and on active affiliation with a religious group or tradition, that they lag other generational groups.
The beliefs are there, but often not in a way that directs Millennials to behave differently or be strongly committed to those beliefs. Religious belief tends to be about as present in Millennials as it is in other age groups, but it is more likely to be latent than active. Religion lives more in the background than in the foreground. It is somewhat more theoretical than real.
Read the study (pdf) in full.
Based on this research, how can publishers, agents, and authors generate content that will inspire Millennials to act on their beliefs? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss.
