Teenagers and Young Adults More Spiritual, UK Poll Shows
A recent poll has revealed that teenagers and those in their early twenties are less likely to identify as atheists than their parents, with 13% of 18-24-year-olds identifying as atheists. This age group, classified as Gen Z, are the most spiritual age group in the UK, with 62% describing themselves as “very” or “fairly” spiritual.
In contrast, middle-aged individuals from Gen X (45-60) are the most likely to be atheists, with 25% saying they do not believe in a god or spirituality. Baby Boomers (over 65) and Millennials (25-44) are closer, with 20% identifying as atheists.
The poll of 10,000 people, commissioned by Christopher Gasson, also found that just 27% of all respondents identified as atheists, while 54% identified as Christian, 6% as Muslim, and 1% each from other religious backgrounds.
However, the poll also suggests that the rise of spirituality among young people is not necessarily linked to a resurgence in traditional religions like Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Many young people describe their spirituality as being more about wellness and mindfulness, with associations including nature, astrology, and crystals, rather than participating in religious rituals.
Freya Stewart-Williams, a 20-year-old from London, shared her personal experience of exploring spirituality, working in a crystals shop in her teenage years and selling gemstones with purported healing, calming, and luck-bringing qualities. She noted that many of their customers were in their early twenties and that the openness to talk about mental health and accepting different states of mind has driven people to be more open to spirituality.
The poll’s findings raise questions about the future of religion in the UK, considering the significance of the shift in the way young people explore spirituality.
