The statistics don't lie. As time passes, more and more of the nation is becoming less secular and claim that they have no "religious affiliation". But exactly who are these individuals and what is motivating them to leave the faith?
Today, there seems to be a movement of younger individuals who have given up or never believed in a religion called the "nones". The grouping has been growing everyday and everyone is trying to figure out why. What is triggering these young adults to be so apathetic about the religion and a greater being?
As a nation that is based off Christian morals and values, it seems both peculiar and unnerving that there is a significant amount of young adults who are denying the faith.
Yet, an interesting part of this group is that the "nones" who still believe in a supernatural being. They don't directly claim that God is real, but they also won't deny the fact that there may be a big guy upstairs who is keeping the earth spinning. Everyone is still curious though; when did the mind set change? Why are young people becoming eager to believe in nothing at all?
It's simple really. It's the fact that millennials are becoming more aware of the world they live in. They are exercising their right to choose, which also includes religion and spirituality. Also, when trying to uncover this mystery, you also have to think about the background of these "religious nones". Did they grow up in a christian or atheist home? Did they ever believe at one point in their life? Did they ever have a single doubt about a greater being?
As shown in the graph above, millennial "nones" double in percentage compared to the silent generation. They truly seem like they do not want to be incorporated with any religious affiliation.
Could it be because of the social stigma of religion in the 21st century?
Possibly.
Without a doubt, millennials are more willing to have an open mind and listen to others and their beliefs. This could possible be a way of showing that. They want to see the world in new ways and not be tied down to a certain worldview or a certain set of beliefs. They want to be identified as the "nones".
Over all, these individuals don't hate God, nor do they hate religion. For example, some can deny the existence of God, but believe in objective morality based off Christian values. Or, some may say they believe in God but they don't believe in his point of view on same-sex marriage. Religious "nones" don't hate religion, they just don't want it to be a part of their identity.
