Author: Igor Colonno, Fatima Durrani
Traditional religious affiliation is declining and being replaced by a rise in spirituality as Americans seek deeper connections and personal fulfillment.
Fueled by the quest for personal growth, strengthening mental health, and the proliferation of practices such as meditation, spirituality has emerged as a prominent force reshaping individual beliefs and communal practices.
According to the Pew Research Center, 41% of Americans say they have become more spiritual over time, and 24% say they have become more religious.
A diverse demographic in the United States also identifies as “not religious,” or as not affiliated with any religion, according to an article in the Washington Post.
Sierra Smith, a communications major at Long Beach State University, is of the Jewish faith. Smith said she believes religion is not becoming irrelevant, but rather changing and adapting to a newer society.
“I still believe that many people have some form of faith, such as believing in God or a higher power, but only the way we practice it is changing,” Smith said.
Smith also said he believes spirituality is on the rise among the younger generation and that it does not undermine any religion.
Smith believes that people can use their faith and spirituality at the same time without interference, but he personally does not intend to practice it that way because his ties to Judaism are already so strong. He said no.
Madeline Popovich, an English major and former Christian, said that although she no longer belongs to any religious group, she still considers herself a spiritual person.
Although Popovich is no longer religious, she said she likes hearing different religious perspectives and believes social media has played a role in instilling religious culture in different communities.
“[In] Christianity, we used to look at different religions as if they were wrong, but now we can look at everything from a more external perspective, and I think everyone is pretty much on the same page. ” Popovich said. “Where your family comes from and what traditions you follow are just small differences.”
Growing up across religions gave Smith the opportunity to see two different perspectives, Judaism and Christianity, and realized that both support the moral good for each person’s values. said.
With the increased importance of mental health, spirituality has also increased.
According to an August 2023 Alcoholics Anonymous press release, “AA meetings allow members to share privately and share copies of the book “The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions,” or commonly referred to as the “Big Book,” at meetings. Spiritual themes are often emphasized in readings from Alcoholics Anonymous. ”
The organization focuses on helping alcoholics heal and recover from addiction, and emphasizes that it is not a religious organization. Their main focus is finding a bond through spirituality, religion, and other sources.
According to the Pew Research Center, a survey conducted in 2023 showed that 83% of American adults “believe that humans have a soul or spirituality in addition to the physical body.” The survey also confirmed an overall decline in the number of people regularly attending religious services and participating in religious activities.
Shivani Bosra, assistant professor in the Department of Religious Studies, said the new generation is becoming more spiritual because of the core ethical values that come with it.
“Younger generations are more interested in spirituality, which means they view religious traditions through a scientific lens,” Bosra says. “They’re not looking away from religion, they’re looking away from certain beliefs and ritual practices and doctrines that don’t appeal to the logical mind.”
Bosra also said that common practices often associated with spirituality, such as meditation, are appealing to younger audiences because of their inclusivity with other people, which fosters inner growth.
“We see religion in terms of dogmatic practices, whereas today’s generation values rational practices,” Bosra says.
Bosra suggested that if religions want to increase voter turnout, they should take a new approach to appeal more to younger generations.
This would include adding more approachable and inclusive forms of education to young people rather than the old school practices that churches may still follow.
