Millenial Religious Practice

Source: "Fewer Young Adults Attending Church" from Pastor's Weekly Briefing, April 30, 2010.

Keywords: unchurched, post-modern, secular, religion

According to a new survey by a Christian research firm, a majority of young adults, age 18 to 29, don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible.

The research, conducted by LifeWay Christian Resources, revealed that:

• Sixty-five percent identify themselves as Christian, while 14 percent say they are atheist or agnostic, 14 percent list no religious preference, and 8 percent claim other religions.
• Sixty-five percent rarely or never pray with others, and 38 percent almost never pray by themselves either.
• Sixty-five percent rarely or never attend worship services.
• Sixty-seven percent don't read the Bible or sacred texts.
• Seventy-two percent say they're "really more spiritual than religious."
• Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say, yes — half say, no.

"We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources.

The survey was based on telephone interviews in August 2009 with 1,200 18-to-29-year-olds. The study forms the basis for the upcoming book, "The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation," by Dr. Thom Rainer and Jess Rainer.