A report published earlier this week has found a link between the degree of spirituality among young people and faith in God.
According to the report, conducted by the Commission on Urban Life and Faith, the Children’s Society and the University of Wales, Bangor, 43 per cent of the 30,000 young people surveyed in England and Wales said they believe in God.
The report also showed a direct link between praying and young peoples’ sense of well-being, with almost three quarters of those who pray daily agreeing they had a sense of purpose. Eight of every 10 young people with a sense of purpose also agreed that life was worth living.
This relatively high sense of well-being among those who pray daily was in stark comparison to the 48 per cent who said they never pray. Over 50 per cent of young people without a sense of purpose considered committing suicide.
The findings of the report reveal the enormous impact spirituality has in fostering a sense of purpose among young people and their positive engagement with issues like their own self-perception, their communities, ethnic diversity, and concern for global issues like Third World poverty.
The Revd Nick Lear, mission adviser for the Baptist Union of Great Britain with special responsibility for young people, was not surprised that spiritually engaged youths were more confident of their purpose: "Such young people will be consciously allowing their spirituality to pervade all aspects of their lives in a positive way," he said.
Mr Lear urged for greater commitment to the church from young people, complaining that not enough of the 43 per cent who claim to believe in God actually recognise the significance of attending to church: "I think our main problem is that young people no longer see a necessary link between a belief in God and going to church. Indeed, many see it as irrelevant to their lives."
