6 ms·

Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

23 points by GalenErso 3y ago

firewire 3y ago
https://archive.ph/QfH8r https://archive.ph/QfH8r
- tapper 3y ago
  Thanks mate. I fucking hate paywalls!
- AHOHA 3y ago
  Thanks! I think HN should have a rule to flag any paywalled article, not everyone is on a desktop and using incognito.
  - Jtsummers 3y ago
    Already addressed in the FAQ and numerous comments by dang over the years: > Are paywalls ok? >> It's ok to post stories from sites with paywalls that have workarounds. >> In comments, it's ok to ask how to read an article and to help other users do so. But please don't post complaints about paywalls. Those are off topic. More here.
bell-cot 3y ago
> About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power, up from about one-quarter in 2021, according to a recent survey of young adults. So - "Religious Faith is Surging..." seems an extremely optimistic spin on that. (The article does point out how crappy the world and future have seemed for young people in recent years. And the supposed "There are no atheists in foxholes" effect.)
- zeroCalories 3y ago
  I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past.
  - shrimp_emoji 3y ago
    Yep. Most of my friends' lives are hell. Psychological issues and no money for therapy is the recurring theme. Few turned to religion but some to extreme politics. They're definitely the two most potent opiates (besides drugs, which they also embrace). :c >if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past Haha. Handmaid's Tale, burka edition. I'm betting that remains in the real of redpiller fantasy.
    - seattle_spring 3y ago
      Religion and extreme politics seem to go hand-in-hand.
      - jimmygrapes 3y ago
        Anti-religion and extreme politics also seem to go hand-in-hand, fwiw. Might be worth looking at both topics within the limits of the extremities.
  - IKLOL 3y ago
    "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" - Psalm 34:18 KJV Seeking God is not a coping mechanism. Terrible things in our lives simply open up our hearts to God's word, and help us recognize our sin nature and seek God. Then when you realize it's as simple as believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death, and you can defeat death and sin as well, then of course it would seem like a no brainer, because it is! It's the greatest news ever, that we can be reconciled to God and have a direct relationship with the creator of everything.
- AnimalMuppet 3y ago
  One-third minus one-quarter is 1/12th, or 8%. 8% in two years... it might be fair to call that a "surge".
Uzomidy 3y ago
The article is a misrepresentation, apparently "believe in a higher power or God" has risen somewhat. This is different from excitement about organized religion, which seems to be less of a thing, not more.
- dokem 3y ago
  It's the opposite for me personally. While I still wouldn't say I believe in a tangible god or higher power in any meaningful way, I have come to grow more of an interest and appreciation for religion, specifically christianity, as I've gotten older. I'll never be a bible freak but I would like to, one day, be able to say I honestly believe in (a) god. I'm not sure what that means exactly, and it could be wrong, but if it's all the same I'd much rather be the person that believes.
  - IKLOL 3y ago
    You can become a Christian right now. 1. Admit you are a sinner, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10-12, 1 John 1:10, James 2:10 2. Realize the penalty for sin, which is death, hell, and eternal separation from God - Revelation 21:8, Romans 6:23, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9, James 1:15 3. Believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to pay for your sin - 1 John 2:2, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43 Romans 5:8, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24, John 3:16, John 10:28, John 6:47, John 11:26, 1 Timothy 1:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 6:11 4. Trust Jesus Christ alone as your savior, nothing else - Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 11:6, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23 Pray this prayer: "Dear Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve to go to hell, but I believe you died on the cross for me and rose again. Please save me right now and give me eternal life. I'm only trusting in you Jesus, Amen." And if you believed this in your heart, you're now saved and have the Holy Spirit. First of all, rejoice because you've passed from death to life through the power of Jesus Christ and he will NEVER leave nor forsake you, no matter what. This is why "Gospel" means "good news". You have absolute freedom, and power over death through Jesus. The Holy Spirit will guide you into more understanding as you read the scripture, but you should first focus on knowing the person of Jesus. Jesus is also in the Old Testament symbolically and literally. The important thing to note is that Christianity is not just doing good things, about turning your life around, etc. Christianity is first about believing the promise of God and His finished work on the cross, and then those good works can follow (but they don't have to, some are saved without works - Romans 4:5). We don't do work for Jesus or become obedient to him because we must to be saved, we do it out of love because we ARE saved. And once you're saved, you're saved. There is no bad deed you could do to lose it, because there was no good deed you could do to earn it. Jesus says he will never leave nor forsake you, and he means it, and his promises are good forever and always.
ramesh31 3y ago
Meanwhile, IQs and critical thinking skills are tanking among the same group. Related?
- joemazerino 3y ago
  IQ has never been a valid measure for intelligence. I see what you're getting at, here, but causation is not correlation.
unsignedchar 3y ago
Does this have anything to do with decline in public education?
thenerdhead 3y ago
Surge of faith, not religious faith. Spiritual faith has definitely increased. Religious affiliation not so much. We thrive as human beings and as families not by what faith we happen to hold, but by having faith in something far greater than ourselves. - John Bogle
- wahern 3y ago
  People tend to do better in communities, but spiritualism doesn't provide community. Institutional religion provides community; that's the function of the institution. (It's not the only thing which provides community, but unlike most it provides community from cradle to grave.)
sillywalk 3y ago
The Wall Street Journal is just another Murdock rag, but for wealthy people. In my cynical opinion.
unsignedint 3y ago
As an atheist who doesn't believe in a singular omnipotent being, I'm not religious. However, I attended a Unitarian Universalist (UU) meeting in the past and found it to be quite compelling. UU might be an attractive option for those who desire a sense of community without a strong religious affiliation. I recommend considering UU as a potential gathering place.

23 points by GalenErso 3y ago

firewire 3y ago

https://archive.ph/QfH8r https://archive.ph/QfH8r

tapper 3y ago
Thanks mate. I fucking hate paywalls!
AHOHA 3y ago
Thanks! I think HN should have a rule to flag any paywalled article, not everyone is on a desktop and using incognito.
- Jtsummers 3y ago
  Already addressed in the FAQ and numerous comments by dang over the years: > Are paywalls ok? >> It's ok to post stories from sites with paywalls that have workarounds. >> In comments, it's ok to ask how to read an article and to help other users do so. But please don't post complaints about paywalls. Those are off topic. More here.

bell-cot 3y ago

> About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power, up from about one-quarter in 2021, according to a recent survey of young adults. So - "Religious Faith is Surging..." seems an extremely optimistic spin on that. (The article does point out how crappy the world and future have seemed for young people in recent years. And the supposed "There are no atheists in foxholes" effect.)

zeroCalories 3y ago
I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past.
- shrimp_emoji 3y ago
  Yep. Most of my friends' lives are hell. Psychological issues and no money for therapy is the recurring theme. Few turned to religion but some to extreme politics. They're definitely the two most potent opiates (besides drugs, which they also embrace). :c >if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past Haha. Handmaid's Tale, burka edition. I'm betting that remains in the real of redpiller fantasy.
  - seattle_spring 3y ago
    Religion and extreme politics seem to go hand-in-hand.
    - jimmygrapes 3y ago
      Anti-religion and extreme politics also seem to go hand-in-hand, fwiw. Might be worth looking at both topics within the limits of the extremities.
- IKLOL 3y ago
  "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" - Psalm 34:18 KJV Seeking God is not a coping mechanism. Terrible things in our lives simply open up our hearts to God's word, and help us recognize our sin nature and seek God. Then when you realize it's as simple as believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death, and you can defeat death and sin as well, then of course it would seem like a no brainer, because it is! It's the greatest news ever, that we can be reconciled to God and have a direct relationship with the creator of everything.
AnimalMuppet 3y ago
One-third minus one-quarter is 1/12th, or 8%. 8% in two years... it might be fair to call that a "surge".

Uzomidy 3y ago

The article is a misrepresentation, apparently "believe in a higher power or God" has risen somewhat. This is different from excitement about organized religion, which seems to be less of a thing, not more.

dokem 3y ago
It's the opposite for me personally. While I still wouldn't say I believe in a tangible god or higher power in any meaningful way, I have come to grow more of an interest and appreciation for religion, specifically christianity, as I've gotten older. I'll never be a bible freak but I would like to, one day, be able to say I honestly believe in (a) god. I'm not sure what that means exactly, and it could be wrong, but if it's all the same I'd much rather be the person that believes.
- IKLOL 3y ago
  You can become a Christian right now. 1. Admit you are a sinner, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10-12, 1 John 1:10, James 2:10 2. Realize the penalty for sin, which is death, hell, and eternal separation from God - Revelation 21:8, Romans 6:23, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9, James 1:15 3. Believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to pay for your sin - 1 John 2:2, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43 Romans 5:8, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24, John 3:16, John 10:28, John 6:47, John 11:26, 1 Timothy 1:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 6:11 4. Trust Jesus Christ alone as your savior, nothing else - Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 11:6, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23 Pray this prayer: "Dear Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve to go to hell, but I believe you died on the cross for me and rose again. Please save me right now and give me eternal life. I'm only trusting in you Jesus, Amen." And if you believed this in your heart, you're now saved and have the Holy Spirit. First of all, rejoice because you've passed from death to life through the power of Jesus Christ and he will NEVER leave nor forsake you, no matter what. This is why "Gospel" means "good news". You have absolute freedom, and power over death through Jesus. The Holy Spirit will guide you into more understanding as you read the scripture, but you should first focus on knowing the person of Jesus. Jesus is also in the Old Testament symbolically and literally. The important thing to note is that Christianity is not just doing good things, about turning your life around, etc. Christianity is first about believing the promise of God and His finished work on the cross, and then those good works can follow (but they don't have to, some are saved without works - Romans 4:5). We don't do work for Jesus or become obedient to him because we must to be saved, we do it out of love because we ARE saved. And once you're saved, you're saved. There is no bad deed you could do to lose it, because there was no good deed you could do to earn it. Jesus says he will never leave nor forsake you, and he means it, and his promises are good forever and always.

ramesh31 3y ago

Meanwhile, IQs and critical thinking skills are tanking among the same group. Related?

joemazerino 3y ago
IQ has never been a valid measure for intelligence. I see what you're getting at, here, but causation is not correlation.

unsignedchar 3y ago

Does this have anything to do with decline in public education?

thenerdhead 3y ago

Surge of faith, not religious faith. Spiritual faith has definitely increased. Religious affiliation not so much. We thrive as human beings and as families not by what faith we happen to hold, but by having faith in something far greater than ourselves. - John Bogle

wahern 3y ago
People tend to do better in communities, but spiritualism doesn't provide community. Institutional religion provides community; that's the function of the institution. (It's not the only thing which provides community, but unlike most it provides community from cradle to grave.)

sillywalk 3y ago

The Wall Street Journal is just another Murdock rag, but for wealthy people. In my cynical opinion.

unsignedint 3y ago

As an atheist who doesn't believe in a singular omnipotent being, I'm not religious. However, I attended a Unitarian Universalist (UU) meeting in the past and found it to be quite compelling. UU might be an attractive option for those who desire a sense of community without a strong religious affiliation. I recommend considering UU as a potential gathering place.