Smith, pastor of Sanctuary Covenant Church, tells columnist Katherine Kersten, “Kids understand that a strong, loving family is the core, the base of what it takes to develop a moral compass, a sense of purpose, an identity.”
The study surveyed young people ages 16-22 in California, home to one in eight of the country’s citizens in that demographic. Half of the respondents were immigrants or children of immigrants, and three-fifths were minorities.
The fear of abandonment is strong among young people, Smith says, “But they’re so hungry for love, for a sense of purpose, that they are very open to filling the void spiritually.”
The study, commissioned by New America Media, states “The importance given to religion by California’s new generation contrasts with the high numbers of adults nationwide who describe themselves as ‘agnostic’ – previous polls rank California as having the highest percentage of ‘agnostic’ adults in the United States.”
The study also found that despite their fears, “California youth embrace the core concept of the American Dream: overwhelmingly, across race, ethnicity and gender, they believe strongly in their ability to determine their own futures, whatever the obstacles.”
To read more of the study’s findings, please see New America Media Study.
