A new survey commissioned by author Christopher Glasson challenges the narrative of God’s death in Britain.
The Belief in Britain Report, which surveyed 10,000 Britons, reveals that young people may be more spiritual than older generations.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Glasson expressed surprise that "young people seem more inclined to spirituality than old people," suggesting that societal changes, such as the financial crisis and Covid, might explain this shift.
Commissioned as part of his new book, The Devils' Gospels: Finding God in Four Great Atheist Books, the survey suggests that atheism peaked in Generation X, with 25 per cent identifying as atheists, compared to 20 per cent of both Baby Boomers and Millennials. More promising for the Church, however, only 13 per cent of those under 25 identified as atheists, while 62 per cent described themselves as "very" or "fairly" spiritual.
Despite these findings, Glasson warned against overly optimistic interpretations, pointing out that young people remain wary of established religion, often put off by the Church’s public scandals. "Whatever the survey might say about young people being more spiritual, it is equally clear that they are put off by established religion," he said.
The survey also highlighted that many Christians hold personal beliefs that differ from official Church teachings, with 43 per cent of Christians expressing their own view of God. Glasson suggested that the Church needs to listen more to reconnect with its followers, focusing on supporting local communities and addressing abuse scandals.
Additionally, the survey found that young people were more likely to express their spirituality through nature and mindfulness than through traditional religious practices. While challenges remain for the Church, Glasson believes there is still hope for reclaiming the spiritual space.
"What I think is happening now is that we have two generations of people (Millennials and Generation X) growing up in Britain feeling emotionally bereft and struggling with conventional material life goals," Glasson concluded. "I am sure that this is an opportunity for all kinds of spiritual entrepreneurs, but I don't think we should write off conventional Christianity just yet."
