Janet Parshall Commentary

Give Me That Old Time Religion

         While the world was struggling under the weight of the COVID epidemic, another equally insidious pandemic was ravaging our country – the plaque of mental illness and members of GENERATION Z (those between the ages of 15 – 21) were particularly hard hit.

         The American Psychological Association reported in 2019 that GENERATION Z is significantly more likely (27 percent) than other generations, including millennials (15 percent) and Gen Xers (13 percent), to report their mental health as fair or poor. They are also more likely (37 percent), along with millennials (35 percent), to report they have received treatment or therapy from a mental health professional, compared with 26 percent of Gen Xers, 22 percent of baby boomers and 15 percent of older adults.  Last December, the U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory stating that COVID – 19 has a “devasting” impact on youth mental health.

         Now, a study done by Springtime Research Institute suggests that ‘spirituality’ might be part of the remedy to this problem.   It appears that having religious/spiritual beliefs, identifies, practices and communities all correspond with better mental health.  The study found that a majority of all young people (57%) and nearly three-quarters of religious young people (73%) surveyed agree their religious or spiritual practices positively impact their mental health. Many participants cite prayer as playing a role in their spiritual practice — 51% said they started praying regularly during the pandemic — and 74% of participants who pray daily say they are flourishing, compared to 57% who never pray.

         The research also found that 74% of young people who identify as “very religious” agree or strongly agree that they are “in good physical and emotional condition,” compared to 42% of non-religious young people. Seven in 10 young people (70%) connected to a spiritual or religious community report having “discovered a satisfying life purpose,” as compared to 55% of those who used to be connected to such a community.  42% of those who are connected to “a higher power” state their emotional and mental health is “flourishing” compared to 16% of those who don’t feel connected.

         While the study might be seen as a “good news” report, there is a cautionary aspect to the research.  Generation Z appears to be hungering after a connection with God (the report refers to Him as a “higher power”), but they are not necessarily turning to the Truth found in Scripture.  Gen Z appears to be taking a ‘pick and choose’ approach to religion.  62% of agree that “there are parts of many religions/spiritualities that I agree with,” and 48% agree they could “fit in with many different religions/spiritualities.”

         The take-away from this study should be this – there is a hole in the human heart that can only be filled with a personal relationship with the living God.  We know Him through His word and by knowing Him through His son Jesus.  We don’t have to be trendy, or relevant or post-modern in our approach to the Gospel.  Just preach the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.  It’s good for your heart – and your mind!

         Those are my thoughts.  I’m Janet Parshall.