Each year, the American Worldview Inventory (AWVI) conducts a survey asking adults over the age of 18 about their religious beliefs and opinions.
43% of millennials born between 1984 and 2002 in the U.S. either ‘don’t know,’ ‘don’t care,’ or ‘don’t believe’ that God exists, according to this year’s survey. But 57% of this age bracket identifies as a Christian.
In light of these survey results, the AWVI has determined this belief has declined over generations.
70% of Gen X (1965-1983) consider themselves Christian, while 31% don’t know/care/believe God exists. 79% of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and 83% of the Builder Generations (1927-1945) consider themselves Christian, and 28% and 27% didn’t know/care/believe God exists, according to Brietbart.
CRC Director of Research George Barna said the survey results indicate “Gen X and the Millennials have solidified dramatic changes in the nation’s central beliefs and lifestyles. The result is a culture in which core institutions, including churches, and basic ways of life are continually being radically redefined.”
He added that he believes Millennials are the ones that have “aggressively cut ties with core biblical views,” but this shift began with the Boomers about 60 years ago.
The AWVI survey also asks about perspectives on life. Should you treat others the way you want them to treat you as a statement which 48% of Millennials, 53% of Gen Xers, and a whopping 81% of Boomers agreed with.
Millennials were also likely to agree with the following: success in life is in accordance with happiness, personal freedom, or productivity without oppression; abortions performed to reduce personal discomfort are more morally acceptable; reincarnation is possible, and premarital sex with someone who could be their future spouse is more socially acceptable.
Only 19% of Millennials agreed with the idea that everyone has a ‘purpose…to know, love, and serve God with all heart, mind, strength, and soul.’
