Gen Z’s Surprising Engagement with Religion

Interestingly, Gen Z—particularly young men—seems to be challenging the long-held notion that younger generations will drift away from organized religion. There’s a hint of a religious revival happening here.

In many ways, the faith community appears poised for growth, especially among a generation that’s often described as chronically online. They’ve spent so much time in digital spaces that they can really see the emptiness around them.

Yet, it’s worth noting that less than half of young Americans feel a sense of community belonging, according to a recent Harvard Youth poll. Notably, young men tend to report a stronger sense of belonging compared to young women.

Historically, being part of a faith tradition has helped many Americans find that essential sense of belonging. Research from the Institute of Public Religion reveals that about 80% of people who regularly attend church do so because they view it as a community experience.

On the flip side, some argue that this revival might have a moderating influence on young men, who can sometimes be susceptible to conspiracy theories and negative stereotypes. Jaws Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, expressed similar concerns, suggesting that increased church involvement among young men could serve as a grounding force against some extreme views.

However, the data doesn’t really support the idea that Gen Z men are becoming significantly more religious. It’s unclear, too, whether those that attend church more often hold more moderate political or social opinions.

Our recent American Religion Census, released in May, shows a continuing decline in religious affiliation among young people over the past decade. Back in 2013, 32% of Americans aged 18 to 29 identified as non-religious; that number climbed to 38% last year, largely due to young women leaving religious institutions. In fact, the percentage of non-religious young women jumped from 29% in 2013 to 40% in 2024.

Meanwhile, the rate of non-affiliation for young men has remained relatively stable, inching up slightly from 35% in 2013 to 36% recently.

While it’s noteworthy that Gen Z men’s religious non-affiliation hasn’t drastically changed, it’s also important to recognize the broader trend of declining religious labels among Americans over the last couple of decades. Still, there’s no clear indication that Gen Z men are notably more religious.

A more telling aspect of this landscape is the growing religious divide between young men and women. Women in Gen Z appear to be leaning much more liberal politically than their male counterparts, exhibiting a greater feminist awareness than earlier generations.

At the same time, many faith traditions continue to uphold traditional gender roles, which can reinforce these dynamics. This often complicates why some young men are drawn to religious affiliations while contributing to a sense of separation from younger women. It raises questions about whether increased church attendance can actually mitigate the more extreme attitudes and behaviors some young men display.

For example, a study found that 48% of American men who regularly attend church believe society would improve if men and women adhered to traditional roles. Among young male church attendees, that number rises slightly to 52%. In sharp contrast, only 22% of young women share these traditional sentiments.

It seems that young men involved in church haven’t strayed too far from some concerning political issues, including so-called beliefs around conspiracy theories. Last year, 47% of male churchgoers agreed that immigrants “invade our country and replace cultural and ethnic backgrounds,” with a notable 45% among Gen Z churchgoers agreeing. In contrast, just 19% of their non-attending counterparts felt the same way.

Interestingly, older male churchgoers (48%) were more likely than Gen Z men (46%) to hold views aligned with Christian nationalism, the idea that the government and national identity should align closely with conservative Christianity. Only 18% of non-churchgoing Gen Z men shared that perspective.

Recent findings suggest that young Christian men are, in fact, becoming more reactionary and theologically conservative than both older Christian men and women. Those who identify as victims are more likely to see themselves as evangelicals, suggesting a shared belief that broader systems work against individuals like them.

This patriarchal focus may resonate with young men who feel their masculinity is under threat, echoing the messages promoted by various Republican leaders and influencers on social media.

It remains to be seen whether Gen Z men will return to church at rates higher than recent trends indicate, which would be crucial in the context of growing secularism in the U.S.

If more young men are drawn to traditionalist churches, it might create further separation between young men and women, deepening existing gender divides across multiple spheres of society and politics.

Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Institute of Public Religion, which focuses on the intersection of religion, culture, and public policy, underscores the complexity of this situation.