Editor’s Note

Confirmed by multiple studies, the trends in what young adults believe about the existence of God compared to what their parents believe are staggering. The trends give insight into the erosion of our cultural values and should inspire us to pray for revival and share our faith.

Stat #1: Two–thirds (61%) of Americans, ages 18 – 35, doubt the existence of God.

Stat #2: Americans’ Doubt in God Doubled in One Generation!!!

Certified Statistic #1 is based on the following research:

Percent of young adults (18-35) who have doubts or don’t believe that God exists:

57%    Pew Research Center, 2019

70%    American Enterprise Institute, 2019

61%    General Social Survey, 2018

66%    Voter Survey Group, 2018

61%    Average

 

Certified Statistic #2 is based on the following research:

Percent of Parents of Americans 18-35 years of age who doubt the existence of God:

33%    Pew Research Center, 2019

40%    American Enterprise Institute, 2019

38%    General Social Survey, 2018

45%    Voter Survey Group, 2018

31%    Average

Cultural Context:

These two bodies of research confirm how deep and how fast America’s most important age demographic has lost faith in God. In one generation, Americans doubting the existence of God has doubled from 31% to 61%. As staggering as this is, it’s certifiably confirmed with multiple, highly regarded research studies.

The decline of Christianity first began with a lapse in Christian behavior. Christians began to attend church less, pray less, read their Bibles less, and share their faith less. The less Christians practice their faith, the more likely they are to drop out of church. Millions of people have been doing that every year. The next natural step is the erosion of spiritual knowledge and sensitivity to all things sacred, including a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Up until 15 years ago, belief in God had been the most stable measure of all Christian beliefs, even while the U.S. experienced social upheaval and abandoned many of Christianity’s core beliefs. Americans believed in God! Now half of all Americans and two-thirds of Millennials question His existence.

America’s moral code, based on the Bible (don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t commit adultery), was embedded in the core beliefs of every American and we became the most blessed and generous nation in the history of the world. But now, with the departure of our faith and trust in God, our shared values have eroded, our moral compass has been lost, we make our own rules and there is no accountability.

This is why America is out of control! Political and racial strife are only the symptoms of a nation that has lost its faith in God.

Americans no longer believe in the God who birthed America and made it the most prosperous and generous country in the world, and for that, there are consequences.

Scriptural Context:

God’s Gift of Eternal Life is Only for Those Who Believe
For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in him should not perish, but have Eternal Life.
John 3:16

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

Jesus said to him . . . all things are possible for those who believe.
Mark 9:23

The Slippery Slope
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3:18

And without faith (believing God exists) it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to Him must believe that He exists and that He Rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the Word, receive it with joy. But those who have no root, they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Luke 8:13-14

Judgment is Coming For Those Who Don’t Believe
O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?
Mark 9:19

You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you?
Luke 9:41

Whoever believes in the Son has Eternal Life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 3:36

Because of your hard and impenitent hear, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 2:5