Looking around the Catholic Church I attend weekly here in Bucharest, I realized that very few young people were in attendance. This raised a question: Are we losing our faith as a generation?
Delving deeper into this question and researching, I found my answer: yes, we are losing our faith as a generation. According to a Pew Research paper, 54% of Generation Z in Western Europe and the United States are less likely to affiliate with any religion compared to past generations; however, in Romania and much of Eastern Europe the statistics are pretty much even with past generations.
But was this also true for our diverse school community? When interviewing several students from AISB, their comments led me to conclude that this, too, was a trend within our school. People generally said they believed in their version of God from various religions, but many were not actively practicing. I wanted to know why.
This topic resonates with me because, throughout my life, having faith and believing in something has been an incredible source of strength. Faith has taught me life lessons on how to serve others, be kind, and prioritize others before myself, but it also provides a sense of relief—knowing that wherever I go, I am never alone and always have something to rely on.
Through interviews and research, I identified the three most common reasons people are less religious:
1. Stereotypes
There are many stereotypes about different religions that discourage people from joining or remaining part of a faith. For example, some believe that all Catholic priests are child abusers. Others think that people who follow Islam hate women or that all Jewish people are anti-Palestinian and greedy. Not only are these stereotypes untrue, but they are also deeply offensive. Additionally, stereotypes about how conservative or liberal certain religions are can make people hesitant to join a particular faith if that political label clashes with their beliefs.
2. Materialism
Our generation is highly focused on materialistic things, myself included, which leaves little time to be spiritual. Grade 10 student David G., who identifies as Catholic, says, “I do think people in our generation prioritize looking the best they can—makeup, clothes—and I think they prioritize this over faith constantly and get blinded by materialism.” I believe there is a way to balance both. Having nice things or hobbies is not mutually exclusive with being a good and spiritual person. For example, there have been many benevolent kings in history who had wealth but used their influence for good.
3. Teen Rebellion
Growing up, there can be pressure from parents to follow a certain religion, which often causes kids to rebel and stop caring. This rebellion can manifest in breaking curfews or engaging in risky behaviors, like going out alone at night. Furthermore, according to undergraduate research on religious parenting conducted at Brigham Young University concluded that “parents should keep in mind that an authoritarian approach to religious parenting can end up being more harmful than successful.” Therefore, parents should integrate religion into teen’s natural curiosity about the world.
Regaining One’s Faith
Faith has been an incredible benefit in my life, positively impacting me every single day. It has helped me see what is truly important and reassured me that I am never alone and always have support. I encourage others not to let the reasons above become obstacles that stop them from discovering something as powerful as faith. Embracing faith can not only bring you closer to spirituality but also help you know yourself better.