Young adults in US drifting away from religious groups, survey finds

CWN - 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.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($33,071 to go):
$80,000.00 $46,928.77
41% 59%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 3 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: Dan - 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Learning from the sick, and from the death of a child May 17
The case for change in Irish abortion law: based on a framework of falsehood May 17
The Smell of the Sheep May 16
Too many missing funds: Catholic institutions need tighter financial controls May 16
What capitalists should learn from the Pope's critique May 16

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8