Poll reveals more young people believing in ‘higher power’ post-pandemic

A rising number of young people are putting their faith in a higher power as the world continues to grapple with a post-COVID-19 pandemic reality, a new poll revealed.

The survey conducted in December by the Springtide Research Institute suggested that about one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds believe more than doubt the existence of a higher power, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The results represent an increase from about one-quarter in 2021.

“We are seeing an openness to transcendence among young people that we haven’t seen for some time,” Abigail Visco Rusert, associate dean at Princeton Theological Seminary and an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church, told the outlet.

The Rev. Darryl Roberts, pastor of Washington, D.C.’s Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, attributed young peoples’ renewed interest in spiritual life to the unrest of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to racial tensions, global instability, and economic hardship.

But many of the young adult respondents clarified that they do not envision a God similar to the one they were exposed to as children – and that their belief in a higher being does not necessarily invite interest in organized religion.

A recent Gallup poll, for example, that ask specifically about belief in God – as opposed to a general higher power – found that fewer young adults identify as believers.

Similarly, a Wall Street Journal-NORC poll published last month found that only 31% of younger Americans said religion was very important to them.

“A lot of people are turned off by the institutions,” said Christian Camacho, 24, who is studying to join a Christian brotherhood.

Alora Nevers, 29, told the outlet that she stopped attending her Catholic church because they put too much emphasis on donations.

“I would rather praise God the way I do with my family. We pray every night,” she said.

Becca Bell, 18, explained that she does not attend services as much as she used to, but that she maintains her faith in part by following social media users who discuss their own beliefs.

“[God] gives you a reason for living and some hope,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Nicole Guzik of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles said she notices more young adults at Friday night services and other synagogue events.

“I think this demographic has a need to connect socially and spiritually,” she noted.