There is no doubt that religion is on the decline, and statistics show that millennials have less interest in religion than any generation before them. Modern society has highlighted a lot of issues that surround religion, including these 18 reasons why millennials have a problem with religion.
Secular upbringing
Growing up in non-religious households leads to a lack of exposure to religious teachings. Each generation features fewer religious followers, meaning generations below have less faith present at home. American Service Center found that only 45% of millennials attended Church growing up.
Distrust
In recent years, there has been an incredible number of headlines surrounding scandals and controversies in religious institutions. Religious leaders in particular have been put under the spotlight in a way they haven’t before and millennials have developed distrust in places of faith.
Science
Scientific evidence is hard to deny in the 21st century, and what science has to say can discredit a lot of religions. Millennials possess more rational thinking and often prioritize scientific evidence over a book of beliefs. Science is hard to ignore, and evidence overshadows religion.
Negative experiences
Sadly, many people have negative experiences with religion. Negative encounters with religious communities or individuals may turn millennials away from organized religion. Around a third of Americans have experienced religious trauma.
Environmental concerns
Millennials have a strong environmental consciousness, and they are more supportive of sustainability than they are of religion. Some millennials see religion as irrelevant when it comes to addressing global issues and see that as a priority. They also identify more with spirituality as it connects better to nature.
LGBTQIA+ rights
Although there has been progress, there is still a long way to go when it comes to religion and LGBTQIA+ rights. Some of these rights conflict with traditional religious teachings, specifically on sexuality and gender identity. Pew Research discovered that 72% of Protestants say there is a conflict between their religious beliefs and homosexuality.
Social justice
Millennials value social justice and equality, which the Bible teaches. For this reason, surely millennials should support religion, right? Religion is one of the most powerful voices for shaping ideas, but sometimes, it can encourage prejudice and exploitation.
Irrelevance
Some millennials perceive religion as outdated and irrelevant to modern life. This ancient text dates back over 2700 years, so how much can it relate to today’s society? The world has moved on, and many millennials believe religion has little to no connection to them anymore.
Freedom of expression
When you are a member of a faith, you are expected to conduct yourself in a certain way, which restricts your behavior. Millennials have more freedom than any generation before them and may feel constrained by religious rules or norms.
Cultural shifts
Changing cultural attitudes towards the likes of marriage, sexuality, and gender roles clash with a lot of traditional religious teachings. Millennials are part of a generation that has witnessed huge progression, and these cultural shifts have altered opinions on religion.
Globalization
Social media and search engines offer exposure to diverse cultures and religions worldwide. This globalization may lead millennials to question the validity of their own religious beliefs when there are so many conflicting ideas among the thousands of recognized faiths.
Hypocrisy
Millennials are part of a generation that calls out hypocrisy and may perceive religious individuals or institutions as hypocritical. Many religions preach certain moral values but don’t practice them. It is hard to follow a religion when words are not backed up with action.
Individualism
With religion, a certain level of conformity is required. There are certain ways you are expected to behave as a member of faith, and any deviation is often frowned upon. Millennials value individual autonomy, and for this reason, many resist conforming to religious authorities.
Access to information
At one point, the information available was primarily restricted to what we were taught at school and in religious settings. However, the internet provides access to diverse perspectives and information, and millennials are the first generation able to explore alternative views while developing their own.
Skepticism
Millennials are often skeptical of claims that can’t be proved, and many religious beliefs lack solid evidence. Anything millennials meet with slight skepticism is quickly written off, and religion is one thing that has a growing number of skeptics.
Mental health
Millennials are extremely open about and in tune with their mental health. They prioritize their own well-being over the views, opinions, and practices of any religion. Religious rituals may trigger negativity, and millennials are happy to avoid them for the sake of their minds.
Rejection of dogma
With religion, there is little room for interpretation, and you are expected to explicitly follow the beliefs that are tied to it. Millennials are more freethinking and reject rigid dogma. Instead, they are swayed towards spirituality with more room to create their own conclusions.
Politics
A lot of millennials associate religion with conservative political ideologies. Politics and religion are deeply intertwined, and some people may reject the idea of religion in the form of protest if they disagree with certain political views. It is hard to view religion positively when it is related to political opinions you don’t align with.
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