A recent Marist Institute survey found that 65 percent of "millennials" are somewhat or very interested in learning more about their faith, but almost the exact same percentage agreed with a statement that morals are "relative," and only 33 percent attend regular church services. So we find ourselves in that modern debate over whether someone is religious or "spiritual," which usually means the person simply doesn't like following the rules of any formal religion but prefers to pick and choose whatever strikes his or her fancy.
Some positive survey findings, according to a CNS article:
"--When asked to choose among five long-term life goals, 31 percent of millennials chose 'to be spiritual or close to God' as their top goal, the highest among any generation.
"-- Two-thirds (67 percent) of millennials and 71 percent of Catholic millennials said they had volunteered their time in the past 12 months, roughly equal to the percentages among other generations."
And then there are the more disturbing findings, according to the same article:
"-- Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of millennials in general and 82 percent of Catholic millennials agreed with the statement that 'morals are relative; that is, there is no definite right or wrong for everybody.' A majority in every category except practicing Catholics (46 percent) agreed with that statement.To read the full CNS story, click HERE.
"-- Only 33 percent of millennials and 25 percent of Catholic millennials said they attended religious services at least once a month.
"-- Nearly two-thirds of Catholic millennials (64 percent) described themselves as at least somewhat more 'spiritual' than 'religious,' about the same as millennials in general (66 percent) and Americans in general (63 percent).
"-- Sixty-one percent of Catholic millennials said they believe it is OK for people of their religion to practice more than one religion, compared to 54 percent of Americans in general and 43 percent of practicing Catholics."
