Prayer-Soldier writes "On 27 Apr 10, USA Today reported that faith is declining among young adults. The report related that 72% of respondents to a survey of 1,200 Millenials say they're "really more spiritual than religious." The report also related that 65% rarely or never pray with others, 38% almost never pray by themselves, 65% rarely or never attend worship services, and 67% don't read the Bible or sacred texts.
According to an undated LifeWay.com article, the study provides the background for a soon to be published book, "The Millennials: Connecting to America’s Largest Generation" by Dr. Thom Rainer and his son Jess Rainer.
The article quoted Dr. Rainer who stated, "The research shows us that religion and its practices are decreasing and becoming increasingly privatized among the Millennial generation." Rainer continued, "With fewer people attending worship services or praying with other faith adherents, it is not surprising that the religious landscape of our culture is changing with the maturation of the Millennials."
On his 27 Apr 10 blog, Rainer related that in his interview with USA today, he expressed a concern that, “on the current trajectory of the Millennials, thousands of churches will close in America each year.” He continued, “The greatest concern is that millions of young people do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They are lost in their present spiritual condition.”
Rainer, however, did find hope in the midst of concern. He noted that, “Although the relative number of Christians in this generation is small, those who are Christians are more likely to have a radical commitment to the gospel than Christians in previous American generations.” Rainer noted that, “If a few Christians turned the world upside down in the first century, we have no reason to doubt that a few million can do it again in the twenty-first century.”
In a 17 Feb 10, Pew Forum report, it was noted that while Millennials appear to be less religious than older generations, “Millennials remain fairly traditional in their religious beliefs and practices.” The report continues, “Though young adults pray less often than their elders do today, the number of young adults who say they pray every day rivals the portion of young people who said the same in prior decades.” The Pew Forum analysis theorizes that, “some of the religious differences between younger and older Americans today are not entirely generational but result in part from people's tendency to place greater emphasis on religion as they age.”
Cited Articles and Posts
USA Today (27 Apr 10)
http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2010-04-27-1Amillfaith27_ST_U.htm?csp=34
LifeWay (Not Dated)
http://www.lifeway.com/article/170233/
ThomRainer.com (27 Apr 10)
http://www.thomrainer.com/
Pew Forum (17 Feb 10)
http://pewforum.org/Age/Religion-Among-the-Millennials.aspx"
