american millennials are spiritually diverse. 2 methodology a representative sample of american...
TRANSCRIPT
American Millennials are Spiritually Diverse
2
Methodology
• A representative sample of American adults born between 1980 and 1991 was surveyed.
• National sample size was 1,200 people.• A demographically balanced online panel was used for
the interviewing.• Respondents were not informed the research was being
conducted on behalf of LifeWay Research.• Surveys were conducted during August 2009. • At a 95% confidence level and a 50% response
distribution, the potential sampling error on this national sample is ±2.8 percentage points.
3
Religious Definitions
• “Christ as Savior” are those whose belief about life after death is that they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior.
• “Other than Christ” are those whose belief about life after death is something other than going to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior.
Spiritual Attitudes and PracticesAbout two-thirds called themselves Christian, with 14% atheist or agnostic, and 14% having no religious preference. Religious involvement is somewhat uncommon; half pray by themselves once a week or more, but one-quarter or fewer read sacred texts, attend worship services, pray corporately, or study sacred texts in a small group setting this frequently. Only 26% trust Jesus Christ as Savior.
5
Religious PreferenceOnly 65% of Millennials were willing to call themselves Christian in even the broadest sense.
Q24. What is your religious preference?
Christian; 65%Other religion; 8%
Atheist; 6%
Agnostic; 8%
No preference; 14%
6
Religious Preference by Ethnicity
White Black Hispanic Asian0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
62%77% 72%
37%
7%
5%5%
32%
31%18% 23%
31%
Christian Other None
Blacks and Hispanics were particularly likely to self-identify as Christian, while Asians were almost evenly split among Christian, a non-Christian religion (Hindu, Buddhist, etc.) and none.
Q24. What is your religious preference?
7
Frequency of Religious Participation
Small group study
Attend worship services
Pray with others
Read sacred texts
Pray by yourself
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
2%
2%
8%
8%
31%
13%
22%
16%
13%
19%
6%
12%
11%
12%
13%
24%
35%
28%
32%
18%
56%
30%
37%
35%
20%
Daily or more Weekly or more Monthly or more Rarely Never
Eighty percent rarely or never participate in small group studies, 65% don’t attend worship or pray with others, 67% don’t read the Bible or other sacred texts, and 38% rarely or never pray by themselves.
Q25. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities?
8
Involvement in Personal PrayerSeventeen percent said they pray by themselves more than once a day. Altogether, 49% do this at least once a week, while 38% rarely or never pray by themselves.
Q25a. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You pray by yourself.
2+ times/day; 17%
Daily; 13%
2+ times/week; 15%
Weekly; 4%2+ times/month; 8%
Monthly; 5%
Rarely; 18%
Never; 20%
"You pray by yourself"
9
Involvement in Personal Prayer
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other re-ligion
No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
55%
22%
41% 37%
5%
58%
16%
28%
15%
24%
13%
8%
24%
16%
9%
14%
14%
16%
9%
9%
15%
8%
22%
16%
12%
25%
7%
24%
27%
5%
22%
53%
2%
29%
Daily or more Weekly or more Monthly or more Rarely Never
Prayer happens at least once a day for 55% of those who trust Christ as Savior and 41% who self-identified as “Christian,” but also for 22% who do not trust Christ as Savior, 37% who are in non-Christian religions, and even 5% who have no religious preference.
Q25a. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You pray by yourself.
10
Involvement in Reading Sacred Texts or ScripturesOnly 8% read the Bible or other sacred texts on a daily basis, although in total 21% do so at least once a week, and 34% do so at least once a month. Sixty-seven percent rarely or never read the Bible or any other sacred text.
Q25b. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You read the Bible, Torah, Koran, or other sacred writings.
2+ times/day; 3% Daily; 5%
2+ times/week; 8%
Weekly; 5%
2+ times/month; 7%
Monthly; 6%
Rarely; 32%
Never; 35%
"You read the Bible, Torah, Koran, or other
sacred writings"
11
Christ as Savior
Other than
Christ
Evang. Not evang.
Broadly Christian
Other re-ligion
No re-ligion
Attend church
No church
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
17%4%
37%
6% 11% 7% 0%
20%
1%
28%
8%
43%
12%
18%15%
1%
33%
3%
19%
10%
19%
12%
15%15%
6%
20%
8%
27%
33%
1%
34%
36%
27%
24%
20%
38%
8%
44%37%
20%36%
68%
6%
50%
Daily or more Weekly or more Monthly or more Rarely Never
Seventeen percent of those who trust Christ as Savior and 11% who self-identified as “Christian” read the Bible daily. The Bible is rarely or never ready by 36% of those who trust Christ as Savior, and 56% of self-identified Christians.
Q25b. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You read the Bible, Torah, Koran, or other sacred writings.
Involvement in Reading Sacred Texts or Scriptures
12
Involvement in Corporate PrayerOnly 8% pray with others on a daily basis, although in total 25% do so at least once a week, and 36% do so at least once a month. Sixty-five percent rarely or never pray with other people.
Q25c. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You pray with other people.
2+ times/day; 3%Daily; 5%
2+ times/week; 9%
Weekly; 8%
2+ times/month; 6%
Monthly; 5%
Rarely; 28%
Never; 37%
"You pray with other people"
13
Involvement in Corporate Prayer
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
14%6% 12% 8%
1%
18%3%
35%
9%
23%
14%
2%
43%
2%
17%
8%
14%
12%
3%
19%
6%
25%
29%
31%
40%
21%
15%
35%
9%
47%
21% 26%
74%
5%
54%
Daily or more Weekly or more Monthly or more Rarely Never
Fourteen percent of those who trust Christ as Savior, and 12% who self-identified as “Christian” pray with others daily, but 34% of those who trust Christ as Savior, and 52% of self-identified Christians rarely or never do so.
Q25c. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You pray with other people.
14
Worship Service AttendanceTwenty-three percent attend religious worship services once a week or more, with a total of 34% doing so at least once a month. Sixty-five percent rarely or never attend religious services.
Q25d. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You attend religious worship services.
Daily; 2% 2+ times/week; 6%
Weekly; 15%
2+ times/month; 6%
Monthly; 5%
Rarely; 35%
Never; 30%
"You attend religious worship services"
15
Worship Service Attendance
Christ as Savior Other than Christ Broadly Christian Other religion No religion0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
50%
14%
33%23%
2%
17%
10%
14%
17%
4%
28%
37%
39%39%
26%
5%
39%
14%20%
68%
Weekly or more Monthly or more Rarely Never
Half of those who trust Christ as Savior, and 67% who self-identified as “Christian” do not attend worship services on a weekly basis.
Q25d. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You attend religious worship services.
16
Involvement in Small Group Bible Study
Fourteen percent are involved in a small group study weekly, with a total of 20% involved monthly or more. Eighty percent rarely or never meet with others to study the Bible (or another sacred text).
Q25e. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You meet with other people to study the Bible, Torah, Koran, or other sacred writings.
Daily; 2% 2+ times/week; 5%
Weekly; 7%
2+ times/month; 4%
Monthly; 2%
Rarely; 24%
Never; 56%
"You meet with other people to study the Bible, Torah, Koran,
or other sacred writings"
17
Involvement in Small Group Bible Study
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
35%
8%21% 15%
2%
41%
1%
12%
4%
7% 13%
2%
16%
29%
22%
30% 28%
10%
24%
1%
24%
67%
43% 44%
87%
19%
23%
Weekly or more Monthly or more Rarely Never
Thirty-five percent of those who trust Christ as Savior, and 21% who self-identified as “Christian” are involved in a small group Bible study on a weekly basis.
Q25e. How often (if at all) do you do each of the following activities: You meet with other people to study the Bible, Torah, Koran, or other sacred writings.
18
Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?
Agree strongly; 31%
Agree somewhat; 19%
Disagree somewhat; 20%
Disagree strongly; 30%
"Believing in Jesus Christ is the
only way to get to Heaven"
Millennials were split on this question, with exactly half agreeing and half disagreeing. Only 31% agreed strongly that Jesus is the only path to Heaven.
Q30a. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to get to Heaven.
19
Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?Strong agreement with this came to 13% among those who do not trust Christ as Savior, and 16% among those who don’t attend any religious worship services.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
81%
13%
44%
8% 6%
59%
16%
15%
21%
24%
5% 11%
19%
19%
4%
26%
21%
19%18%
14%
23%
1%
40%
10%
68% 65%
8%
42%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q30a. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to get to Heaven.
20
Are They Spiritual or Religious?
Agree strongly; 29%
Agree somewhat; 43%
Disagree somewhat; 18%
Disagree strongly; 10%
“I am more spiritual than reli-gious"
Almost three out of four Millennials agreed that they are really more spiritual than religious (although only 29% agreed strongly with this).
Q30b. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: I am more spiritual than religious.
21
Are They Spiritual or Religious?Apparently, “religious” has fallen out of favor. Those who trust Christ as Savior were particularly likely to describe themselves as more spiritual than religious. This is no longer a term that means “I don’t have any particular beliefs but believe in spirituality in general.”
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
37%26% 32%
23% 23%33% 27%
37%45%
43%46% 42%
42%43%
22%17%
20%
17%15%
18%18%
4% 12% 6% 14% 20%7% 12%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q30b. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: I am more spiritual than religious.
22
Is Heaven a Real Place?
Agree strongly; 44%
Agree somewhat; 25%
Disagree somewhat; 17%
Disagree strongly; 14%
"Heaven is a real place, not just a concept"
Seven out of ten Millennials believed Heaven is a real place, not just a concept.
Q30c. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Heaven is a real place, not just a concept.
23
Is Heaven a Real Place?Even 29% of those who had no religious preference believed Heaven is a real place, along with 59% of those who do not trust Christ as Savior.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
92%
27%
61%
35%
9%
74%
28%
6%
32%
27%
26%
20%
16%
30%
2%
22%
10%
23%
30%
8%
22%
20%2%
15%
41%
3%
21%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q30c. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Heaven is a real place, not just a concept.
24
Is Hell a Real Place?
Agree strongly; 36%
Agree somewhat; 24%
Disagree somewhat; 22%
Disagree strongly; 18%
"Hell is a real place, not just a concept"
Six out of ten Millennials believed Hell is a real place, not just a concept.
Q30d. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Hell is a real place, not just a concept.
25
Is Hell a Real Place?Even 25% of those who had no religious preference believed Hell is a real place, along with 47% of those who do not trust Christ as Savior.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
83%
20%
50%
30%
7%
64%
21%
13%
27%
27%
19%
18%
18%
26%
4%
28%
19%
24%
30%
12%
27%
25%5%
27%
46%
5%
26%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q30d. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Hell is a real place, not just a concept.
26
Is God Just a Concept?
Agree strongly; 46%
Agree somewhat; 26%
Disagree somewhat; 15%
Disagree strongly; 13%
"God is a real being, not just a concept"
Only 46% of Millennials agreed strongly that God is a real being, not just a concept (although another 26% agreed somewhat with this).
Q30e. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: God is a real being, not just a concept.
27
Is God Just a Concept?Only 63% of those who self-identified as “Christian” strongly believed that God is a real being.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
91%
31%
63%
38%
11%
76%
30%
8%
32%
28%
31%
21%
16%
31%
1%
20%
8%
17%
30%
7%
19%
18% 2%14%
38%
1%
20%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q30e. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: God is a real being, not just a concept.
28
Are Christian Churches Still Relevant?
Agree strongly; 28%
Agree somewhat; 42%
Disagree somewhat; 18%
Disagree strongly; 13%
"Christian churches are relevant in America to-
day"
Most respondents did believe that Christian churches are relevant today in this country, although just 28% felt this way strongly.
Q30f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Christian churches are relevant in America today.
29
Are Christian Churches Still Relevant?There was at least some doubt about the relevance of churches among 38% of those who trust Christ as Savior, and even 52% of those who attend religious worship services.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
62%
16%
38%
12% 8%
48%
17%
30%
46%
47%
38%31%
36%
45%
6%
22%
13%
23%
27%
13%
20%
1%17% 2%
27% 34%
3%18%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q30f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Christian churches are relevant in America today.
30
Perceptions of the Bible
Agree strongly; 25%
Agree somewhat; 22%
Disagree somewhat; 23%
Disagree strongly; 30%
"The Bible is the written word of God and is totally accurate
in all that it teaches"
Respondents were split over the Bible. Just 25% agreed strongly that it’s the accurate word of God, although another 22% agreed somewhat with this.
Q35a. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: The Bible is the written word of God and is totally accurate in all that it teaches.
31
Perceptions of the BibleInterestingly, 31% of those who do not trust Christ as Savior, 31% of those who attended no worship services, and 29% of those who affiliate with a non-Christian religion still felt the Bible is God’s Word.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
63%
11%
35%
13%3%
51%
11%
29%
20%
30%
16%
7%
27%
20%
7%
28%
25%
16%
20%
14%
27%
1%
41%
10%
54%70%
8%
42%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35a. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: The Bible is the written word of God and is totally accurate in all that it teaches.
32
Responsibility to Witness
Agree strongly; 18%
Agree somewhat; 22%
Disagree somewhat; 23%
Disagree strongly; 37%
"You, personally, have a responsibility to tell other
people about your religious beliefs"
Only four out of ten respondents felt they have any responsibility to tell others about their religious beliefs, with only 18% agreeing strongly that this is their responsibility.
Q35b. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: You, personally, have a responsibility to tell other people about your religious beliefs.
33
Responsibility to WitnessOnly 42% of Millennials who trust Christ as Savior strongly felt it is their responsibility to tell others about their religious beliefs.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
42%
10%
26%16%
2%
44%
5%
40%
16%
29%
20%
8%
29%
18%
13%
26%
25%
27%
17%
16%
26%
5%
48%
20%36%
74%
11%
51%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35b. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: You, personally, have a responsibility to tell other people about your religious beliefs.
34
The Importance of Their Faith
Agree strongly; 32%
Agree somewhat; 29%
Disagree somewhat; 17%
Disagree strongly; 22%
"Your religious faith is very
important in your life to-day"
Six out of ten respondents said their religious faith is important in their lives today.
Q35c. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Your religious faith is very important in your life today.
35
The Importance of Their FaithSelf-identified Christians were more likely than members of other faiths to consider their faith very important in their lives.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
68%
19%
44%32%
3%
64%
15%
30%
28%
35%
35%
13%
28%
29%
2%
22%
16%
16%
20%
6%
23%
1%
30%
5%17%
54%
3%
33%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35c. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Your religious faith is very important in your life today.
36
Is Satan Just a Concept?
Agree strongly; 15%
Agree somewhat; 25%
Disagree somewhat; 28%
Disagree strongly; 32%
"The devil, or Satan, is not a real
being but is just a symbol of evil"
Only 40% of Millennials said Satan is just a symbol of evil rather than an actual being.
Q35d. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: The devil, or Satan, is not a real being but is just a symbol of evil.
37
Is Satan Just a Concept?Thirty-seven percent of those who trust Christ as Savior were unwilling to state strongly that Satan is a real being. This was also true for 63% of those who self-identified as Christian.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
7%18%
9%23% 27%
10%18%8%
32%
21%
34%34%
16%
30%22%
30%
33%
17%17%
23%
30%
63%
21%
37%27% 22%
51%
22%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35d. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: The devil, or Satan, is not a real being but is just a symbol of evil.
38
Was Jesus Sinless?
Agree strongly; 20%
Agree somewhat; 30%
Disagree somewhat; 20%
Disagree strongly; 30%
"When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was human and committed
sins, like other people"
Half of all Millennials believed that Jesus sinned while on earth. Only 30% strongly believed He was sinless.
Q35e. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was human and committed sins, like other people.
39
Was Jesus Sinless?Forty-six percent of those who trust Christ as Savior were unwilling to disagree strongly that Jesus sinned, but 22% of all those who do not trust Christ as Savior still strongly saw Christ as sinless.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
14%22% 18%
31%23%
16% 22%
11%
37%
28%
39%
35%
19%
36%21%
19%
23%
14%
14%
18%
20%
54%
22%
31%
16%29%
47%
22%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35e. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: When he lived on earth, Jesus Christ was human and committed sins, like other people.
40
Is Salvation through Grace Alone?
Agree strongly; 26%
Agree somewhat; 21%
Disagree somewhat; 25%
Disagree strongly; 27%
"Eternal salvation is possible through God’s grace alone;
nothing we do can earn salvation"
Forty-seven percent of respondents felt that salvation is through God’s grace alone, including 26% who agreed strongly with this. Note that not everyone may be interpreting “God’s grace” as Christians would.
Q35f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Eternal salvation is possible through God’s grace alone; nothing we do can earn salvation.
41
Is Salvation through Grace Alone?Almost three out of ten who trust Christ as Savior were not fully convinced that salvation is through grace alone. A third of those in non-Christian religions did agree with the concept of salvation through God’s grace.
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
71%
11%
37%
16%5%
50%
13%
19%
22%
27%
19%
9%
23%
20%
8%
32%
26%
24%
25%
18%
29%
2%
36%10%
42%
61%
8%
37%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35f. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: Eternal salvation is possible through God’s grace alone; nothing we do can earn salvation.
42
Perceptions of the Nature of God
Agree strongly; 42%
Agree somewhat; 26%
Disagree somewhat; 14%
Disagree strongly; 19%
"God is the all-power-ful, all-knowing,
perfect creator of the universe
who rules the world today"
Two-thirds of the respondents shared (at least to some extent) the traditional Christian view of God’s nature (omniscience, omnipresence, etc.).
Q35g. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today.
43
Perceptions of the Nature of GodOne-quarter of those who have no religious preference still shared the Christian view of God’s nature (at least to some extent).
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
86%
26%
58%
40%
8%
70%
27%
14%
30%
30%
28%
16%
21%
28%
1%
19%
10%
18%
22%
8%
18%
26%3%
14%
54%
2%
28%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35g. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today.
44
Making a Commitment to Christ
Agree strongly; 33%
Agree somewhat; 24%
Disagree somewhat; 17%
Disagree strongly; 26%
"You have made a personal com-mitment
to Jesus Christ that is still important in your life today"
One-third of all Millennials agreed strongly that they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ; another 24% agreed somewhat with this.
Q35h. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: You have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in your life today.
45
Making a Commitment to ChristSixteen percent of those who do not trust Christ as Savior still strongly claimed a personal commitment to Christ, as did 10% of those who affiliated with a non-Christian religion (demonstrating how much syncretism there is).
Christ as Savior
Other than Christ
Broadly Christian
Other religion No religion Attend church
No church0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
79%
16%
48%
10%3%
63%
16%
20%
26%
33%
7%9%
24%
25%
1%
23%
15%
12% 23%
8%
22%
1%
35%
5%
71% 65%
5%
37%
Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree somewhat Disagree strongly
Q35h. How much would you agree or disagree with each statement: You have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in your life today.
46
Beliefs about Life after DeathThe most common belief about life after death is that no one really knows.
Q36. There are many beliefs about life after death. Which of the following statements is closest to your own beliefs?
Other
Saved through 10 Commandments
God will save everyone
Reincarnation
I just won't exist
Saved through being good person
Saved through Jesus as Savior
No one really knows
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%
4%
2%
4%
5%
8%
16%
26%
34%
American Millennials are Spiritually Diverse