Young adults in US drifting away from religious groups, survey finds
May 01, 2012
A survey of America’s youngest voters has found that many young people are drifting away from the religion in which they were raised. The study by Georgetown University’s Berkley Center found that Catholics and mainline Protestants were most likely to change their religious affiliations.
The study of Americans aged 18 to 24—identified in the survey as “Millenials”—found most young adults who left one religious group did not join another. Among the Millenials 25% reported no religious affiliation, while only 11% said that they were raised without a religious affiliation.
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Further information:
- Millennial Values Survey Report (Berkley Center)
- Study: College Age Students Losing Faith (Cardinal Newman Society)
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Posted by: -
May. 02, 2012 8:51 AM ET USA
I am surprised the percentage isn't higher given the fact that most Catholic parents of millenials are very poorly catechized themselves. The benefits of the papacies of JP II and B XVI and their episcopal appointments and vocation recruits (not to mention their amazing scholarship, truly among the greatest of all time) will manifest over the next 30 years. As politicized Catholics (clergy and lay) fade, we will, God willing, have a renewed Bride of Christ.
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Posted by: unum -
May. 02, 2012 7:38 AM ET USA
My kids tell me that they don't understand how protecting clergy who abuse minors and ordaning homosexual ministers is living out the gospel message. I don't have a good response to their comments.
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Posted by: Defender -
May. 01, 2012 6:24 PM ET USA
It's small wonder that anyone who goes to a "Catholic" college might lose their faith. Georgetown is a great example. The recent silence by its president concerning birth control coverage. Then last night he spoke at the school's "Lavender Graduation." Imagine any Catholic student's confusion in a supposedly Catholic school. This is the bishop's fault for not doing anything and all those in the administration of the school who have taken part in compromising the Faith of their students.
