For each successive generation since the Baby Boomers, the percentage of Americans who profess no religion has been growing, from 19% of Boomers, those between 61 and 79, to 43% percent of Gen Z, teenagers and young adults, according to data compiled by political scientist and author Ryan Burge.
“Just 26% of Gen Z identifies as Protestant, while 21% are Catholic. However, 43% of Gen Z claims no religious affiliation. The least religious generation in American history,” Burge posted on X.
Dr. Alex McFarland of Truth for a New Generation says despite strong anecdotal evidence of a youth revival, the data show that a once devout, Christian nation is a mere shadow of itself.
“By God's grace, there's a faint echo — this dying aroma of some Christian past that, with a little effort, we can remind people of and call them back to it,” says McFarland.
He points out, however, that the trends are in the wrong direction.
“Many more elections like November of 25, and the shadow of the shadow, the residue of the residue — it will be gone,” states McFarland.
That's not to say the world hasn't seen the pendulum swing back and forth with regard to belief and faith in God.
“There have been plenty of would-be antichrists, and yet the church ministered and soldiered on, and we are to do that, too,” says McFarland.
McFarland says that Christians need to do the work God has set before them and let Him take care of the percentages.
“Things do look bad, and things are bad, but nevertheless, we don't quit because we don't know. I mean, Christ may come very, very soon, or it may be another century,” concludes McFarland.
