Soundings
Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity
Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity. / Illustration by Caitlin Low
On nurturing the
young
A
n article published on the CNA website
This trend is not unique to Singapore. In
in 2021 states that according to the
the United States of America, for example,
Singapore Census 2020, “20 per cent of
millennials are leaving the Church at an
Singapore residents had no religious
alarming rate.
affiliation in 2020”. This group, which forms a fifth of the population, is now the second-
Reporting the findings of a study conducted
largest group after the Buddhists (31.1 per
by the Pew Research Centre in 2019, The
cent). The third largest group, at 18.9 per cent,
Washington Post states that:
comprises Christians. … America’s religious landscape found that although religious beliefs and practice have been declining at a rapid pace for people of all ages, the drop-off has been most pronounced among people ages 23 to 38. In 2019, roughly two-thirds attend worship services “a few times a year” or less, and 4 in 10 say they seldom or never go. A decade ago, it was more than half and only 3 in 10, respectively.[3]
There are many reasons behind this trend. Some young people are so overwhelmed by the Worryingly, the census also showed that
commitments and responsibilities that come
younger people are more likely to have no
at this stage of their lives that religion is not
religious affiliation, as compared to older
given priority. Others are so influenced by the
adults. “In 2020, 24.2 per cent of those aged
prevailing secular culture that religion seems
15 to 24 years old reported having no religion,
to have lost its relevance. Still others are so
which was higher than the 15.2 per cent
disappointed with organised religion that they
for residents aged 55 years and above”, the
decide to sever ties with their churches.
article reports.[1] Whatever the reason, parents, guardians and According to Dr Mathew Mathews, Principal
pastors must be aware of these trends, and
Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy
nurture the young people in their care with
Studies (IPS), this is “an expected trajectory”.
extreme attentiveness and vigilance. This
“Religion as an institution is no longer playing a
effort must be intentional for the spiritual
major role in one’s life and so fewer people will
maturity of our children and youth cannot be
pass faith down to their children”.
left to chance.
[2]
July 2022 Methodist Message 27
