A large number of millennials, or individuals born between 1981 and 1996, are deriving their spiritual fix away from churches and religious activities. Instead, they are turning to profane undertakings related to social media, gym and fitness, video games and meditation, among many others, to gratify their transcendent need.
According to a new statistics released by the Pew Research Center, 4 of 10 millennials in the US believe religion is crucial in their lives. However, only 2 of 10 millennials are attending religious services on a weekly basis. To a great extent, these young adults are tuning into their personal definition of sacred rituals.
In an interview with The New York Post, New York University sociology professor Mike Hout says of millennials, "They were raised to think for themselves. Millennials are sceptical of authority, including religious institutions".
Fitness instructor Holly Rilinger told The Post that most of her workout students are millennials. Rilinger, who grew up a Catholic but no longer practises the faith, said these adults have been hooked to her class because of the intentional motivational support that a member gets from the others and the instructor.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg declared in his 23 June post that social media is filling the gap that the religious sect is oblivious of. Although religious leaders sneered at the statement, many millennials reverberated Zuckerberg's address. Courtney Ferrucci, a 27-year-old consultant, is a Jehovah's Witness. Ferrucci is turning to Facebook to network with people of similar interests and gain support just like what people from her church can do for her.
According to finance firm Goldman Sachs, millennials, whose population now reaches 92m, are moving to its prime spending years. Being the largest generations in history, there is a clear visualisation of the pattern in their expenditures, revealing its priorities in fitness, restaurants, brands and products in general that satisfy their needs to fit in.
"Millennials are poised to reshape the economy", says the firm, "Their unique experiences will change the ways we buy and sell, forcing companies to examine how they do business for decades to come".
