MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, November 16, 2008: A new survey in the United States finds that 55 percent of young people ages 12 to 25 say they are more spiritual now than two years ago. But nearly one-third of them said they don’t trust organized religion.
The survey, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, was conducted by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute. The first question was, “What does it mean to be spiritual?” There were nine choices, running from “believing in God” to “being true to one’s inner self.”
The good news for faith communities is that 93 percent of the young people surveyed believe there is a spiritual aspect to life. But the disconnect between spirituality and religion was clear. If the youth don’t feel spiritual in church, where do they? “Spending time in nature” topped the list of responses. “Listening to or playing music” was No. 2, and “helping other people or the community” was third. On the rise in the youth’s list are yoga and meditation, say the researchers. “Attending religious services” was ninth.