As Fewer Young Americans Say They Believe in God, a Look at Why So Many Have Abandoned Religion and What Motivates Others to Keep the Faith

Author

Briana Ellis-Gibbs, aig Newmark Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 11-13-2022

Grading Professor

Linda Villarosa

Subject Concentration

Arts & Culture

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

Generation Z, defined by the Pew Research Center as those born after 1997, is the least religious generation yet, according to a recent report from the American Survey Center. More than one-third of Generation Zers are religiously unaffiliated, along with 29 percent of Millenials, those born between 1981 and 1996. On the other hand, only 18 percent of baby boomers and 9 percent of the silent generation claim no religious affiliation.

Though overall, Americans' belief in God has hit an all-time low, from nearly 90 percent in 2017 to 81 percent this year, according to a new poll by Axios. Generation Zers are far more likely than other generations to identify as atheists or agnostic. Eighteen percent of Gen Z say they are either atheists (9 percent) or agnostic (9 percent). However, fewer than one in 10 baby boomers and 4 percent of the silent generation identify as atheists or agnostic.

Why have many Millennials and Gen Zers abandoned their belief in God? And why, in the face of the graying of religion, have other young people kept the faith?

Recommended Citation

Ellis-Gibbs, Briana, "As Fewer Young Americans Say They Believe in God, a Look at Why So Many Have Abandoned Religion and What Motivates Others to Keep the Faith" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/584