Young men are increasingly turning to that “Old Time Religion.” Faith is becoming more important to young men, who now surpass young women in saying religion is “very important” to their lives, a new poll from Gallup finds.
More young men today say religion is “very important” to their own lives than at any point in the last 25 years. The share of young men proclaiming the importance of religion has skyrocketed 14% in just the last three years, rising from 28% in 2022 to 42% today. This is a positive development indeed.
In fact, young men are now far more likely than young women (29%) to say religion is “very important” to them. This is also a departure from previous trends, where more young women said religion was “very important” to them, compared to young men, from 2000 to 2020.
As Gallup summarizes,
This turning of the tide among men is unique to Gen Z. Among adults age 30 and older, women remain more religious than men, according to Gallup.
The polling organization notes the decline in religiosity among young women:
Forty percent of young men report attending religious services at least monthly, compared to 39% of young women. This is the highest reported number for young men since 2012.
Gallup adds that most young men (63%) report affiliating with a specific religion – including Catholic, Protestant, Judaism or another religion. This is virtually unchanged from the 61% who said the same in 2022, but it is up substantially from the 57% who said so in 2016 “and is the highest recorded for young men since 2012-2013.”
What should Christians take away from all this new data?
First, it’s undoubtedly good news that young men are turning back to religion, especially since adults’ self-claimed religiosity has been in decline for years. Many young men, unattracted by the rot offered by much of today’s culture, seem to be looking for transcendent meaning amid the cultural ruin. And that deserves praise.
Second, Gallup’s data (taken from 2024 and 2025) was largely collected before Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025. Call it the “Charlie Kirk effect,” it’s possible that, in future survey data, we will see Gen Z men returning to faith in even greater numbers.
Third, while it’s good young men are turning to religion in general, there is only one true religion – the faith founded by Jesus Christ. As He taught, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, ESV).
Christians – both young and old – should view this interest in religion among Gen Z men as a perfect opportunity to engage them in conversation, answer their questions, pray with them and guide them towards faith in the One for whom we “count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus [our] Lord” (Phil. 3:8, ESV).
Related articles and resources:
The Benham Brothers: Sharing the Christian Faith, Bold and Broken
Street-Smart Faith: Speaking Truth with Grace
Is Religious Faith Gaining Influence in America?
Young Men Are Returning to Church
Why Gen Z “Nones” Are Reconsidering Religion
More Young Adults Turning to Faith After Pandemic, Study Finds
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