Why More And More Young People Are Turning to Religion

Ireland has had a long, complicated and twisted relationship with Catholicism and the Catholic Church.

The brutality and deceitful nature the church once enforced on Irish people has traumatised generations and is still felt deep within our culture. However, after many years of separating church from religion we are now seeing many young people turn back to faith, but why is this?

Over the last few years there has been a huge growth in young people turning back to and creating a new relationship with God, religion and other spiritual routes with 75% of young people in the States claiming to be spiritual to some degree.

 

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Many people of the younger generation don’t fully align with a specific religion but believe in a higher power, afterlife, something beyond our physical world while others are turning back to organised religion within the church. After the last few decades of Irish people rejecting the Church it has left young people with a curiosity for religion. That and seeking comfort within a faith system.

During Covid-19 when majority of young people were stuck inside the four walls of their bedroom for months on end, we saw a huge rise of interest in spirituality in the form of crystals, tarot cards, chakras and angel numbers.

During a time of extreme difficulty and stress the younger generation chose to turn to a form of spirituality, so it’s no surprise that there is a rise in interest in organised religion and other faith systems today.

 

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Young people are over saturated with everything and anything due to social media. There are constant possibilities and outlets for young people to put their time into. However, with these endless prospects it can get a bit difficult to navigate what path to go down, what you actually like and want to do.

Young people are becoming overwhelmed by the current world we live in, a world where we have access everything and anything at our fingertips. Mental illnesses and disorders such as depression and anxiety are at an all-time high with over 40% of Irish adults suffering from a mental health disorder. For some, religion can provide a sense of comfort.

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Whether we want to admit it or not, the majority of young people are influenced by celebrities and the creators they see on social media.

Recently many content creators on TikTok and other platforms have been expressing their love for God, and how they owe everything to their chosen religion. In their ‘day in the life’ videos we see time dedicated to prayer, church and bible studies.

@girlsgonebible_ “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 Girls Gone Bible link in bio 🕊️🤍 #jesus #bible #christiantiktok #christianity #jesustiktok #God #scripture #prayer #girlsgonebible #podcast #christianpodcast #jesuspodcast ♬ The Story I’ll Tell – Maverick City Music & Naomi Raine

Some of these creators include Sienna Mae, Girls Gone Bible and one of young men’s largest, and disappointing, role models, Andrew Tate. We even see celebrities preaching their love for religion such as Kanye West with his song ‘God is’, and Serena Williams, who has routinely thanked God after a win.

There has also been a recent trend referencing the ”Jesus glow” which involves showing a video of a person prior to believing in God and after giving themselves to religion. There is a visible difference, or “glow”, in the person’s appearance after they find God – a glow up, if you will.

@4kmarieee God changed me from the inside out. #fypシ゚ ♬ deja vu x traitor – del.audios

The younger generation have been turning towards self-improvement with gym and diet culture, sobriety and disconnecting from technology. Religion appears as an addition to this kind of lifestyle, devoting your life to God rather than to drinking and drugs.

Growing loneliness could be playing a part in them turning to religion, finding comfort in their relationship with God, and in turn, themselves.

If you’re hoping to enter the world of spirituality, it’s important to educate yourself on the topic of religion, to find which path fits your belief system best and to not just follow what your favourite influencer is saying.

By turning to God you are devoting your life to someone else’s teachings, so it is important that the religion aligns with your beliefs. Spiritualism can be a beautiful and peaceful way to live your life, and extremely fulfilling if that’s the road you want to take.