A new study reveals a major shift in religious attitudes among Britain’s Generation Z (those born after 1997), suggesting a possible resurgence of faith and increased spiritual inquiry. are doing. The study found that 18- to 24-year-olds exhibited higher levels of religiosity than any other age group.
The survey found that 69% of respondents aged 18 to 24 believe their faith has a significant impact on their lives, compared to just 51% of respondents aged 65 and older. .
Moreover, 72% of young people in this age group say their religion helps them find purpose in life, compared to 47% of those over 65 who say the same, according to a survey conducted by the Impact Institute on faith in life and conducted by Whitestone Insight.
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One notable aspect of the study, which involved over 2,000 British adults, was the diversity and tolerance among young believers. It was found that 76% of 18 to 24-year-olds have friends of different faiths and beliefs, suggesting high levels of tolerance and acceptance. This is in contrast to older generations, who are less likely to have a diverse group of friends.
Additionally, 45% of Gen Z respondents expressed an openness to changing their religious beliefs, compared to just 22% of respondents age 65 and older.
The survey also found that Gen Z is more likely to see faith as a positive force in public life. They support the idea of politicians publicly discussing their faith and believe in religious leaders being involved in social and political issues. This contrasts with overall low trust in religion as a force for good in society, as only 36% of the general population agreed with this sentiment.
Among religious respondents, 55% consider religion to be a positive force, highlighting generational disparities in attitudes toward faith.
Charlotte Littlewood, senior research fellow at IIFL, said that while the UK is generally moving towards secularisation, both legally and politically, young British people are becoming increasingly religious. He pointed out that According to Christianity Today, Littlewood said: “While Britain is generally moving in the direction of secularization, both legally and politically, young British people are more religious than their elders for more than half a century.” It has been shown that it is strong.” “For Gen Z, faith is considered to have greater value, importance, and influence than previous generations.”
The survey also examined broader societal views on religion.
For example, there is a general resistance to the presence of religion in the workplace and politics, with 42% viewing religion in the workplace positively and 41% opposing it, while younger generations are less likely to view religion in public spaces. They see more value in discussions about religion.
The study also scrutinized the media’s portrayal of religion. A significant 71% of respondents agreed that the media is biased, and 63% disapproved of expanding religious coverage by the media. This distrust suggests that there is a gap between religious representations in the media and the people’s actual experiences.
Despite these challenges, this research highlights positive aspects of faith in the UK. For example, 62% of respondents agreed that the Christian tradition is important to the UK, and there is a perception that the UK welcomes religious diversity. Furthermore, 73% of respondents reported having friends of different faiths, indicating strong interfaith relationships.
The role of faith in education is also considered important by many respondents. According to the survey, 61% of participants believe that religious education in schools is important, and 80% agree that knowledge about other religions is essential.
The findings resonate with broader trends observed in the United States and other countries.
The American Lifestyle Research Center noted a generational shift in religious affiliation and participation in the United States. Young Americans are less interested in religion than previous generations, but those who are religious often demonstrate a strong commitment to their faith.
A report released in the United States in 2023 found that although younger Americans are less religious and less involved with the Bible than older generations, about half believe that the Bible’s message has changed their lives. It became clear that he thought so.
According to the American Bible Society’s State of the Bible USA 2023 report, compared to older generations, Gen Z is more likely to identify as agnostic, atheist, or “atheist” (34%). ), 58% of Gen Z respondents identify as Christian.
Despite low levels of Bible engagement among American youth, nearly half of Gen Z respondents agreed that the Bible’s message changed my life. Specifically, 49% of Gen Z adults ages 18-21 and 52% of adults ages 22-26 feel the Bible has had a transformative impact on their lives.
