Are colleges to blame for the loss of religious beliefs in American young adults of today? While many would say “yes” without hesitation, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) released a study stating a solid “no” (though they admit colleges are not helping, either). While the study might appear to be a political attempt to take colleges off the hook, the data of the research hints at a more likely cause for the secularization of American young adults.

Since 1986, the number of youth entering college who professed no religious affiliation whatsoever rose threefold (from 10% to 31%). What this means is more students are entering college without religion. Today, 38% reject their faith during college, while in the 1980s, 63% rejected their faith while in college (or shortly afterward). The climate has dramatically changed, and one of the key causes appears to be the home/parents. Even in the average Christian home, church was usually a Sunday activity with no real obvious impact on everyday living.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Ephesians 4-6 states discipleship is to begin in the home. It is the responsibility of the parents to intentionally teach their children Scripture, and to actively display how Jesus is relevant and present in the world today. The data shows many in the church is struggling with this very core issue. Hopefully, by starting individually, we can begin to make a change.

“Proclaim Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” – Col 1:28

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/college-professors-arent-killing-religion/

https://www.prri.org