5 findings from More in Common report on politics and people of faith
5. Half of Americans engage in prayer at least once a week.
The report aimed to dispel the "misperception" that faith is becoming irrelevant in the United States by presenting data showing that 50% of Americans engage in private religious activities, such as prayer, meditation or religious study, at least once a week.
Contrary to popular belief, the research found that Millennials and Generation Z are not significantly less religious than older generations. Among those born in 1982 or later, 44% of Millennials and 45% of Generation Z participate in private religious activities weekly.
The report also highlighted "perception gaps" concerning the religiosity of younger members of certain denominations. For example, Jews over the age of 30 estimated that only 35% of younger Jews consider religion important in their lives. In reality, 69% of Jews under 30 agreed that "religion is important in my life."
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A similar 34% perception gap existed regarding the importance of Jewish identity among younger Jews. Older Jews estimated that 44% of younger Jews saw their religion as an important part of their identity, but 78% of Jews under 30 held this view.
Similarly, older Muslims underestimated the religiosity of younger Muslims. Muslims over 30 estimated that only 46% of younger Muslims view religion as important, while 94% of Muslims under 30 affirmed that "religion is important in my life."
When asked about the importance of being Muslim, older Muslims estimated that 51% of younger Muslims considered their faith a central part of their identity. However, 92% of Muslims under 30 agreed that "being Muslim is an important part of my identity."
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: [email protected]
