Running head: DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 1

The Causes of Declining Christian Faith and

Their Effects on Generation Z

Abby Martin

Global Studies and World Languages Academy

DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 2

Abstract

Atheism and religious relativism are on the rise in Generation Z, the current generation of

teenagers, as globalization and pluralism make it more socially acceptable to find meaning and

purpose from a variety of conflicting worldviews. Even though the majority of teenagers in the

United States self-identify as Christian or Catholic, the percentage of different generations with a

Biblical worldview has been steadily decreasing over time. Absolute moral and spiritual truth are

considered to be strictly a matter of opinion, and one’s beliefs about truth are easily altered in the

efforts to please others. In addition, young people are rejecting their Christian worldview entirely

due to reasons such as the history of hypocrisy and perceived conflict with science. These

students are turning away from the faith in exchange for the never-ending pursuit of instant

satisfaction. Because these pleasures are merely temporary, young people never truly get the

satisfaction they desire, ultimately perpetuating a cycle of anxiety and depression. This paper

goes into detail about the causes of this faith decline amongst Generation Z and the effects that

this generation is experiencing as a result.

DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 3

Table of Contents

Cover Page………………………………………………………………………………………...1

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………2

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………….3

The Causes of Declining Christian Faith (Introduction)…………………………………………..4

Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………….5

Limitations………………………………………………………………………………...8

Empirical data limitations…………………………………………………………8

Cultural limitations………………………………………………………………..9

Personal bias limitations…………………………………………………………..9

Causes……………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Pluralism and Religious Relativism……………………………………………………...10

Cultural Christianity……………………………………………………………………..11

Familial role……………………………………………………………………...12

Other Barriers to the Faith……………………………………………………………….13

Effects……………………………………………………………………………………………15

Depression, Anxiety, and Perfectionism…………………………………………………15

Mental illness and the church……………………………………………………17

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….19

References………………………………………………………………………………………..21
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 4

The Causes of Declining Christian Faith and

Their Effects on Generation Z

According to the Impact 360 Institute, the percentage of Americans with a Biblical

worldview has been steadily decreasing over time, with now only 4% of Generation Z, the

modern generation of teenagers, having this Biblical worldview (Morrow, 2018). This shocking

statistic is one of the inspirations behind the #HowtoLife movement that began in Arkansas in

2015. This Christian revival movement is completely led by high school students ages 18 and

under, and it has the main goal of reaching fellow teenagers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This

movement has spread over the United States and is now making headway in Europe. The root of

this movement’s effectiveness in reaching Generation Z is the peer-to-peer aspect. Modern

teenagers are more likely to listen to someone their age as opposed to a millennial pastor who

appears to have it all together or a Boomer who is out of touch with the realities of the

generations below them. These events tear down barriers by being open to all and encourage

vulnerability as students share their personal struggles that led to their ultimate commitment to

Christ.

This movement, and reaching Generation Z with the Gospel in general, has become a

necessity as hearing the true Gospel of salvation through faith alone becomes less known.

Although the Gospel initially spread throughout Western Europe and the United States, the basic

foundations of the intimate faith have begun to fade as cultural Christianity and postmodernism

gain more popularity with each generation. When thinking about religiosity or faith in general,

the first group of people that comes to mind is certainly not Generation Z. This generation is

perfectionistic, anxious, suicidal, and “more confused about moral and spiritual truth than ever”
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 5

(Morrow, 2018). Why? The influence of social media is obvious - the “fear of missing out,”

unrealistic beauty standards, and desire to gain popularity through a number of followers all

contribute to addiction and anxiety. But the issue goes much deeper. It resides in this

generation’s worldview: their outlook on identity, purpose, destiny, and more. Christianity is

declining amongst young people due to a lack of a personal connection to the faith and the poor

societal representation of Christ which has resulted in their lost sense of purpose.

This paper will discuss the researched causes of this generational decline in Christian

faith and will also assess the potential effects that this has on Generation Z’s outlook on life and

their role within it. With taking empirical studies, globalization, and the church into account, this

paper will not only examine why the Biblical worldview is in decline but also reveal why this

needs to be addressed.

Literature Review

Generation Z is today’s youth, born between 1999 and 2015 (“Atheism doubles,” n.d.).

This generation is increasingly anxious and suicidal, and these teenagers seek to find their

identity and purpose not in any sort of faith but instead in their most common influence - the

Internet (Hertz, 2016). Most of young people’s time is consumed by social media as they attempt

to discover themselves. This ironically leads to misperceptions of self and worth due to

comparison (Gentry & Morrow, 2018). Although social media is not fulfilling the purpose

teenagers hope to gain from it, students are still turning away from God. According to Barna, the

number of youth with an atheistic worldview is double that of the adult population in the United

States. When a sample of teenagers around the country were asked about their “barriers to faith,”
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 6

their top three responses were suffering in the world, hypocrisy of Christians, and conflict with

science (“Atheism doubles,” n.d.).

The hypocrisy of Christians stems back to the early church. Prior to 313 A.D., Christians

were brutally persecuted within the Roman empire. However, from the empire under Constantine

and thereafter, the Edicts of Milan and Thessalonica not only made it legal to be a Christian but

also made it the official state religion of the empire (Szterszky, n.d.). This began the era of

cultural Christianity in which the faith gradually shifted from a focus on the Gospel to a focus on

power and forcing beliefs on others. Such episodes include the Crusades, violent “military

expeditions” in the eleventh century and the Inquisition in the thirteenth century: torturous,

forced confessions to expose people’s supposed heresies (Carnagie et al., 2007). Today,

hypocrisy prevails not only through obvious sources, like Westboro Baptist Church, but also in

simple social media posts and daily interactions. This clearly contradicts Jesus’ message to “love

your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31, New International Version) and “pray for those who

persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

The era of Christianity during the reign of Constantine also created the faith as the norm.

Therefore, people under the influence of the empire began to claim Christianity as their beliefs

solely based on “birth or heritage” (Szterszky, n.d.). This inherited form of Christianity continues

into the present due to the influence of America’s founding fathers. This influence can be seen

directly in the southern Bible belt of the United States in which the faith is often more a part of

culture than a personal decision. Many times, parents pass their values and core beliefs onto their

children as a plethora of rules as opposed to an individual relationship that the child has to

actively pursue, independent of his or her parents. This impersonal approach to the faith is
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 7

unappealing to many young people which causes them to turn away from the faith (Bailey, n.d.).

Another reason that many modern teenagers are turning away from their Christian faith is when

their beliefs are questioned at public universities. It was found that three out of every four

Christian young people turn away because they were not equipped with knowledge of the

physical evidence to support the core foundations of the faith, such as Jesus’ death and

resurrection (“Youth exodus,” n.d.).

Contrary to popular belief, the foundations of the Christian faith are supported by

science. Even former atheists, like Lee Strobel, converted to Christianity after extensive

scientific and historical research that could not disprove Christ’s death and resurrection.

Operational science, which can be tested and observed using the scientific process is accepted by

both creationists and evolutionists. The only branch of science that is typically disputed is

historical science, which explains the Earth’s origins. Neither Christians nor atheists nor any

other worldview can prove how the Earth came to be because no human was there to directly

observe it. All sides of the belief spectrum have to put their faith in something either natural or

supernatural to explain this (Galling, 2008).

All of these factors have contributed to the rise of atheism amongst Generation Z.

Unfortunately, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are also on the rise in this generation.

In addition to social media, a lack of hope and meaning creates the illusion of being alone and

worthless (“Why perfectionism,” 2018). A ten-year study by scientists from the American

Journal of Psychiatry stated that “...subjects who reported religion or spirituality as highly

important were 76% less likely to experience an episode of major depression…” (Blazer, 2012).

The main causes of depression in today’s young people are “much higher levels of
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 8

perfectionism” and “unrealistic educational and professional expectations” (“Why

perfectionism,” 2018). Some reasons that those with faith in Jesus may have less experiences of

major depression and feeling worthless are because of the comfort of the words in the Bible such

as: “...I am with you always...” (Matt. 28:20) and “...He is faithful and just and will forgive us...”

(1 John 1:9). These verses eradicate fears and assure readers about the omnipresence and eternal

mercies of God.

The plague that is currently attacking Generation Z is the fear of being alone or not good

enough. Such fears are driving depression and anxiety statistics upwards. However, these

teenagers are not turning to the hope that comes with the Christian faith because of the historical

and scientific conflicts that inherently come when imperfect humans try to represent a perfect

God.

Limitations of These Studies

Because this paper’s main topic is Christianity, the limitations found are related to the

difficulty in writing a scientific paper on information that is faith-based. These difficulties are

primarily due to minimal empirical studies, cultural stigmas, and personal bias.

Empirical data limitations. ​The focus of this paper is the decline of faith in Generation

Z within the United States and Europe. This is because atheism has doubled within this

generation in these regions, ironically the regions where the roots of Christianity began. This

paper delves into potential causes of this decline and the effects that a lack of faith has had on

contemporary young people. However, finding empirical studies on faith is difficult because it is

hard to quantify the effects of the supernatural. The declining numbers of youth with particular

worldviews can be measured in addition to the increasing levels of depression and anxiety
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 9

experienced by them. However, the correlation between the two is affected by the biases that

result from having a specific worldview. Many times the rise of depression and anxiety in youth

is attributed solely to social media, genetics, and perfectionism (“Why perfectionism,” 2018).

Although these correlations are understandably acceptable, they can also be reasonably related to

a greater issue of knowing one’s identity and purpose, which is directly impacted by one’s

worldview.

Cultural limitations. ​It can also be difficult to find research relating depression and faith

because of the common mental illness stigma in the church. Many times mental illness is not

addressed as equivocal to physical illness. Although studies have shown that faith often equates

to less episodes of major depression (Blazer, 2012), faith does not make someone immune to

depression and other mental illnesses. Depression and anxiety can result from a chemical

imbalance which has similar effects on the brain that a physical illness has on any other part of

the body.

Personal limitations. ​Lastly, the author of this paper is a Christian, a bias which affects

how the research is conveyed. Having this particular worldview influences the correlations that

are mentioned which would differ from the potential ones made by an alternate worldview. This

is because the author believes that the Bible is absolute Truth; therefore, Biblical text is not only

used as a historical source but also a scientific and humanistic one as well.

Causes

The word secularization comes from the Latin word ​saeculum​, meaning “the world.” This

word is typically used to describe anything imperfect, straying away from a perfect God. The

secularization in America can be empirically expressed by the number of people with a religious
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 10

affiliation and those attending a church on a regular basis. Both of these percentages have

significantly changed from the 1950s and 60s until the 2000s, with lack of religious affiliation

going from 2% to 20% and regular church attendance going from 40% to 22%. These rates are

changing even more rapidly in Europe (Ertit, 2018); approximately 2-5% of the populations in

England and Germany are evangelical as opposed to 20-25% in the United States (J. Whitmer,

personal communication, November 14, 2018). The “demographic center of Christianity is

moving from north to south” (“Religion in,” 2006) as developing regions become the epicenter

of the Christian faith, while North America and Europe drift away in this increasingly globalized

world.

Pluralism and Religious Relativism

Globalization, the increasing interconnectedness of the world, is beneficial because it

encourages cultural competence and the appreciation of others despite their differences.

However, globalization and modernity can be dangerous when one has not established a solid

personal identity and sense of purpose. Modernity does not cause a decline in religious views,

but it does lead to pluralism, which is “the coexistence within the same society of very different

religious groups” (“Secular Europe,” 2005). This means that people are being exposed to many

different belief systems at once, affecting the way that they discern truth. Although atheism has

become more prominent in this generation (“Atheism doubles,” n.d.), religion in the twenty-first

century is not looked down upon. On the contrary, religious views are encouraged, as long as the

individuals with those views regard them as merely “personal opinion” (“Unchurched

Americans,” 2008) and abstain from “offending” others with different views. This concept of

tolerance goes hand in hand with the current shift towards religious relativism (“Religion in,”
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 11

2006). Relativism is the opposite of fundamentalism, a concept in which bits and pieces of one

religion mix with another to become what Dr. Peter Berger calls “patchwork religion” (“Secular

Europe,” 2005). When people are surrounded by a variety of conflicting worldviews, they are

often influenced to pick and choose which aspects of each one that satisfies them. This religious

mixing is consistent with the “post-everything” culture which states that “reality lies within the

self” (Gentry & Morrow, 2018). This theory, more commonly known as postmodernism

(“Religion in,” 2006), equates today’s modern religions, making it acceptable to claim a little bit

of each one. In a survey conducted by Lifeway Research of 1,402 adults who had not attended a

religious service in six months, 61% said that they “believe ‘the God of the Bible is no different

from the gods or spiritual beings depicted by [other] world religions’” (“Unchurched

Americans,” 2008). Equating modern world religions leads to a “lack of set moral basis of right

and wrong” (“Religion in,” 2006) and absolute truth. This is why today’s youth are “more

confused about moral and spiritual truth than ever” (Morrow, 2018). Modern generations are

becoming more easily swayed by public opinion, and without a foundational set of beliefs, they

are being swept away by the crowd. Today’s young people are willing to change their beliefs in a

heartbeat if it means that someone will accept them. In a society where personal opinions and

beliefs are encouraged, individuals rarely hold fast to their own. In contradiction to

postmodernism, Jesus instructs His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt.

28:19, New International Version) because He is “the Way and the Truth and the Life” (John

14:6).

Cultural Christianity
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 12

Although about 60% of Generation Z in the United States claims to be Christian or

Catholic (J. Whitmer, personal communication, November 14, 2018), this is more of a

“patchwork” or relative form of the faith. Only 4% of this generation has a Biblical worldview

(Morrow, 2018), which comprises the beliefs that the Bible is completely accurate, salvation is

through faith in Christ alone, and every believer has the personal responsibility to share his or

her faith with others (Gentry & Morrow, 2018). These components of a Biblical worldview claim

that the Christian faith outlined in the Bible is absolute Truth and contradicts the relative

Christian worldview that many youth have. Many youth fail to seek this Truth because

Christianity has become unappealing to them over time. This is a result of the development of

cultural Christianity. This form of the faith dates back to the rule of Roman emperor Constantine

who declared Christianity legal within the empire by the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. Eventually,

in 380 A.D., the faith became the official religion of the empire as a result of the Edict of

Thessalonica. Because of the religion’s officiality, people were brought up in the faith and began

to claim it solely based on “birth or heritage” (Szterszky, n.d.). When Christianity becomes more

cultural, the key personal aspect of it begins to fade and the focus shifts away from the Gospel

and more towards good works. In a 2015 Barna study of U.S. adults, the researchers discovered

that the “most common perception” among both “self-identified” and non-Christians is the belief

that people go to heaven as a result of their good works (“What do Americans,” 2015). This false

salvation based on “dos and don’ts” explains why 79% of recently unchurched adults believe that

“Christianity ‘is more about organized religion than about loving God and loving people’”

(“Unchurched Americans,” 2008). When teenagers are already unsure of their beliefs, the

familial pressure to meet all the criteria of a “legalistic” faith is enough to steer them away.
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 13

Familial role. ​The scenario is slightly different for immigrants. Second-generation

immigrants are turned away by legalism, yet they remain a part of their religious community

because it connects them with the other immigrants from their home country. According to a

22-year old Peruvian immigrant to Italy, religion equals “family loyalty” rather than “personal

enthusiasm” (Ricucci, 2016). Although it is common with immigrants, claiming the Christian

faith as one’s own solely based on parents’ beliefs is a worldwide phenomenon. Many times,

young people will fake their adoration for God just because they “think it will please [their]

parents” (Bailey, n.d.). When faith becomes impersonal, it vanishes when the 18 years of living

at home come to an end. A study by the Pew Research Center found that three out of four college

students leave the faith they were brought up in (“Youth exodus,” n.d.). But despite what the

unappealing and legalistic doctrine of cultural Christianity promotes, Jesus clearly states that He

came “to fulfill [the Law]” (Matt. 5:17) with His death on the Cross. And even though the Bible

encourages Christians to do good works, they do not save anyone from eternal death. Salvation is

“by grace...through faith,” (Eph. 2:8) and it can only be obtained by simply declaring that “Jesus

is Lord” and truly believing “that God raised Him from the dead” (Rom. 10:9). This decision

must be made by each individual and is not altered by familial opinion and belief. It is the

beginning of “a relationship with God [that] is personal and specific” (Bailey, n.d.).

Other Barriers to the Faith

Unfortunately, these Biblical truths are often forgotten in the midst of a culture permeated

by the ideas that faith equals family and works can save. But, cultural Christianity is not the only

reason why Generation Z is questioning the faith. A recent study by Barna found that two of the

main “barriers to faith” for this age group are conflict with science and the hypocrisy of
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 14

Christians (“Atheism doubles,” n.d.). Only one-fourth of Generation Z believes that science and

the Bible are complementary (Gentry & Morrow, 2018). Even students that are raised in a

Christian home may begin to question their beliefs when they are put in a secular classroom

because they do not have the foundational knowledge of how their faith lines up with the science

they are being taught. A common misconception about Christians is that they reject science

entirely. Although this may be the case for some people, the vast majority of individuals with a

Biblical worldview acknowledge the truth of operational science and how it does not contradict

with what they believe. This type of science is what can be tested and observed using the

scientific process. The other type of science is historical, also known as origin science. This

explains how the Earth and all the living creatures on it came into existence (Galling, 2008).

Historical science analyzed from an evolutionary perspective does not align with a Biblical

worldview, but in reality, this perspective is a worldview in and of itself; it is known as

naturalism. Science is just the “same facts that everyone has to interpret” (Gentry & Morrow,

2018), and how one interprets them is reflective of a particular worldview. Because no human

being was present when the Earth was formed, each scientist, whether a creationist or

evolutionist, has to put faith in his or her interpretation. Despite the difference between

observational and historical science, creationists and evolutionists still continue to argue to no

end. This is because they fail to see the commonalities between their beliefs.

Hypocrisy and a lack of understanding between people with different worldviews

perpetuate the cycle of conflict. Although every individual is guilty of hypocrisy, Christians are

often the poster children of this, discouraging many young people from choosing the faith. In the

Lifeway Research survey of 1,402 unchurched adults, 72% said that the church “is full of
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 15

hypocrites,” which was one of the key reasons why these adults had not attended a religious

service in six months (“Unchurched Americans,” 2008). The hypocrisy of Christians is not a new

concept. From the late eleventh century to the early thirteenth century, Christians were guilty of

violent military crusades to reclaim the Holy Land and using “forms of torture to get confessions

of heresy from people” during the Inquisition. Later in the sixteenth century, the Catholic Church

obtained money through indulgences. Members of the Church paid thinking that they could “buy

their way into heaven” or get their sins forgiven because of the money (Carnagie et al., 2007).

These instances of greed and lust for power, in conjunction with the hypocrisies and hatred of

today, go against the Bible’s teachings to “not conform to the pattern of this world” (Rom. 12:2),

“put to death...lust, evil desires and greed” (Col. 3:5), and “[turn] away wrath” with gentleness

(Prov. 15:1). When Christians with a Biblical worldview are put to the test with these tough

questions, the response should always be to acknowledge and not attempt to defend the faults

that occurred. The final answer should be to point to a sinless God and the truth of His Word

which has been tainted by these actions of imperfect men and women.

Effects

Because all people “have sinned and [fallen] short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), no

individual is able to grasp his or her meaning and purpose internally. This kind of discovery

requires something beyond the self. Because young people are turning away from the Christian

faith, they are trying to find their purposes elsewhere, in immediate satisfactions and successes.

According to a comprehensive study of Generation Z by Barna and the Impact 360 Institute, 51%

of teenagers think that happiness is the ultimate goal in life (Gentry & Morrow, 2018). This

happiness is pursued through sex, money, drugs, alcohol, and any other pleasure that is
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 16

temporary, including a skewed view of religion. The religion of young people in the U.S. today

is known as moral therapeutic deism, which is essentially believing in a distant god and doing

good works for the sole purpose of seeking personal happiness (Blazer, 2012). Although these

pleasures may not seem too dangerous within boundaries, they do not solve the desire to know

one’s meaning and purpose. They bring satisfaction for a while, but that eventually fades, which

revitalizes the craving all over again. When teenagers have the mindset, “if I’m not getting what

I want, then I can’t be happy,” the failure to remain satisfied eventually leads to depression and

anxiety (Gentry & Morrow, 2018).

Depression, Anxiety, and Perfectionism

Statistically speaking, levels of depression and anxiety are on the rise in Generation Z.

According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “17% of high

school students had seriously considered killing themselves.” In England, teenagers committing

self-harm has increased by three times from where it was 10 years ago (Hertz, 2016). According

to Jordan Whitmer, the founder and CEO of the international #HowtoLife youth movement, “if

there’s one word to define [this] generation, it’s fear.” Young people today are afraid and

hopeless due to fear of “unstable politics,” school shootings (J. Whitmer, personal

communication, November 14, 2018), other forms of terrorism, and debt (Hertz, 2016).

Teenagers use temporary pleasures to mask their fears that result from so much uncertainty.

However, the rising levels of depression and anxiety also stem from perfectionism and the

“unrealistic educational and professional expectations” that young people have (“Why

perfectionism,” 2018). According to the World Health Organization, English, Welsh, and

Scottish 15-year olds are dissatisfied with their lives and are “suffering from high levels of
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 17

stress,” especially girls. In Scotland alone, 80% of 15-year old girls and 59% of 15-year old boys

feel “pressured by schoolwork” (Weale, 2016). The emphasis on success, in addition to the

desires to “feel safe, socially connected and of worth” (“Why perfectionism,” 2018) put strain on

a young person’s well-being. Pursuing perfection in all areas of life and then using immediate

pleasure to mask the stress leaves no room for students to find the key to true joy.

Although they are often used synonymously, joy is different than happiness. Happiness is

emotional, and it is based on temporary circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, stays constant

despite changing situations. Everyone experiences episodes of happiness and sadness, but those

who experience true joy have found something beyond themselves and have chosen to pursue

that daily. According to a 10-year study conducted by scientists from The American Journal of

Psychiatry, amongst self-identified Protestants and Catholics, “subjects who reported religion or

spirituality as highly important were 76% less likely to experience an episode of major

depression during the follow-up” (Blazer, 2012). This is because these people have found hope

in the God that they have chosen to believe in. On the other hand, this same study also found that

“guilt associated with depression often is connected with a religious belief system” (Blazer,

2012). These conflicting results can be explained by the role of cultural Christianity. The term

“religion” is not inherently bad; even the Bible talks about God’s definition of it - “pure and

faultless,” keeping “oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). However, because

humans are impure and easily influenced, the concept of religion has been corrupted.

Commandments meant to provide loving guidance and safety turned into an opportunity for

religious leaders to make others feel inferior. Today the word “religion” connotes robotic

legalism. This explains why excessive guilt following a mistake can lead to the depressive
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 18

symptoms found in the study. However, the “pure and faultless” religion mentioned in the Bible

is actually built upon a relationship with Jesus that comes from making that personal

commitment. As opposed to religious leaders who are prepared to judge, Jesus was sent not “to

condemn the world, but to save the world” (John 3:17). He forgives all people if they are willing

to admit to and turn away from their faults. This is what separates the true relationship from a

corrupted religion. The comfort of a personal relationship with Christ is what contributes to the

fewer “[episodes] of major depression” also found in the study (Blazer, 2012).

Mental illness and the church. ​According to Tim Clinton, the president of the American

Association of Christian Counselors, “spirituality can play a crucial role in treating mental

illness” (Smietana, 2013). One of the major barriers to this, though, is the stigma that mental

illness has in the church. Although the majority of Americans would feel welcome at a church if

they were mentally ill, the church does not address it enough. This is because mental illness is

seen as “a character flaw rather than a medical condition.” Lifeway Research conducted a survey

of 1,001 Americans, and they found that 48% of self-identified Christians believe that “with

Bible study and prayer ALONE, people with serious mental illness like depression, bipolar

disorder, and schizophrenia can overcome mental illness” (Smietana, 2013). Although God is

all-powerful and has the capability of healing mental illness, this does not change the fact that

mental illnesses are just as serious as physical illnesses. For example, minor depression is less

severe and may not need extensive treatment. However, when the symptoms of minor depression

“persist or worsen” enough to impair the patient’s daily life, it becomes major depression. The

Journal of Clinical Psychiatry recommends the consideration of “antidepressant medication” for

this condition (Fils et al., 2010). The medical assessments of the varying severity between minor
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 19

and major depression give just one instance of why serious mental illnesses should be treated as

medical conditions; they have symptoms, affect a person’s lifestyle, and can improve with

treatments such as counseling, mindfulness, and medication. Tim Clinton, as a Christian

counselor, wants to address this problem in the church by encouraging open discussion. He

acknowledges that counseling and medication are often necessary treatments depending on the

severity of the illness, but prayer and Bible study can significantly impact the healing process as

well (Smietana, 2013). If churches are willing to equip their members on how to address mental

illness, then they will be better able to encourage those who may be struggling. The comfort of

the Bible’s words, hope in Jesus’s victory, and the support of a church community can all help

decrease instances of major depression, as studied by The American Journal of Psychiatry

(Blazer, 2012). When young people find this joy that leaves them truly satisfied, as opposed to

the pursuit of unending happiness through temporary pleasures, this has the potential to greatly

improve their outlook on life. For teenagers with symptoms of depression and anxiety stemming

from various internal and external pressures, they will have Jesus to put their hope in even when

circumstances are almost unbearable.

Conclusion

In the current postmodern society in which religion is relative and cultural, young people

are not being exposed to the Truth of a personal commitment to and relationship with Christ.

This generation does not even go searching for answers about true meaning and purpose because

the mistakes of mankind have tainted their view of who Jesus is. In order for Generation Z to

choose and sustain their Christian faith, they must be encouraged by previous generations on

how the faith is a combination of the intimate relationship with Christ in conjunction with the
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 20

knowledge of the Bible and how it is supported by scientific, historical, and archaeological

evidence. Faith is not the opposite of reason - one can have a reasonable faith.

In addition to the role of previous generations, the most influential role in a teenager’s

life is his or her peers. This is why the #HowtoLife youth movement is so effective. Because the

individual events within this movement are completely run by students 18-years old or younger,

other teengers are willing to listen. Their mindset is that if the faith worked for their friends, it

could work for them, too. Although certain events take place within a church building, the

movement is essentially separate from the concept of “church.” This is because many young

people are turned off by church because of hypocrisy. #HowtoLife events are fun, and the sole

focus is on the Gospel, not unappealing and legalistic religion. Students sharing their personal

stories about their commitments to Jesus provide the audience with a different perspective on

what Christianity is and why it is relevant and important. Revival is simply sweeping change,

and this hopeless generation needs that desperately. If revival is going to happen, it is going to

start with Generation Z. Today’s young people are ready to hear the Truth whether they know it

or not. All they need is someone they relate to and trust to tell them.
DECLINING CHRISTIAN FAITH OF GEN Z 21

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