Attitudes towards Religion among Gen Y and Gen Z: Implications to Religious Education

Generational studies have emerged as a field of research examining traits distinct to each generation, particularly among Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z). In terms of attitudes and perceptions, Gen Y and Gen Z differ in varied degrees. Will there also be divergences in attitudes towards religion between the two generations? The study investigated the intricacies between Gen Y and Gen Z, specifically, their perceptions and attitudes towards religion and religiosity. The research employed a descriptive quantitative research method utilizing 200 respondents (100= Gen Y, and 100= Gen Z) from a Catholic university in Pampanga using purposive sampling technique. Data were gathered through the Filipino Students’ Attitudes Towards Religion [FSAR] Scale (Baring et al., 2018) and subjected to statistical treatment using mean percentages, standard deviation, and t-tests to determine disparities in their attitudes and perceptions. The results revealed no significant difference (P value= 0.73) in the overall mean responses between Gen Y and Gen Z informants regarding their attitudes towards religion. Despite being characterized as less religious, Filipino Gen Z, unlike their Western counterparts, still exhibit positive attitudes towards religion and religiosity. However, a high computed standard deviation (SD) of 1.13 for item 2: "A spiritual person is one who loves religion" indicated dispersed responses among Gen Z, showing a misperception between the terms 'religious' and 'spiritual.' With the increasing incidence of indifference towards religion among late Gen Z and the advent of the highly digitized Alpha generation, what significant challenges do religious educators face in addressing this concern?