LISTEN TO THE PLUGGED IN SHOW, EPISODE 292
For decades now, we’ve seen a steady decline in religiosity in the United States. According to a recent study by Pew Research, about 62% of Americans identify as Christian, down from 78% in 2007. And the younger you are, the less religious you’re likely to be.
But that may be changing.
Pew’s latest study on the topic found that 18- to 24-year-olds—that’s Gen Z for those of you keeping track at home—are just as likely to be Christian as those born in the 1990s. The Wall Street Journal found that religiosity has even gone up among Gen Z, with men of that generation more likely to attend church than their Millennial predecessors. If true, that’s the first time we’ve seen an increase in decades, so we unpack this apparent trend in today’s episode.
And did you know Batman is celebrating a birthday? Well, one of his movies, at least. 2005’s Batman Begins turns 20 this month, giving Paul Asay the perfect excuse to talk about his favorite superhero. The grim and gritty take on the Dark Knight was hugely influential on the superhero genre, but was that a good thing?
We’ve got a full house of (un)caped crusaders on this week to discuss those topics: Paul, Jonathan McKee, Adam Holz and Kennedy Unthank! Oh, and I snuck my way in there, too. (I am also a pretty big Bat-fan.)
What are your thoughts? Have you seen signs of younger generations embracing the Christian faith? Did you enjoy Batman Begins? Do you think it had a positive or negative impact on the comic book movies that followed?
Let us know through our Plugged In social channels—YouTube, Instagram and Facebook—or send us an email at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voice message on The Plugged In Show homepage or simply drop a comment below. See you next time!
2 Responses
Thank you for your podcast. It is encouraging to hear more Gen Z men are going to church. It’s very sad Gen Z women are not going.
I don’t know about other Millennials, but the main obstacle for me going to church is that I usually have to work Saturday nights at the hospital and I get off work around 7:30am. If I can shower fast enough, I can make it to an early service sometimes before falling asleep. But I sometimes fall asleep in church and I usually have to sleep in my car before driving home which is hard in the summer and winter. Usually I can’t remember the sermon or any of the names of people who introduced themselves to me because of fatigue.
I did find a church that has an evening service, but I seem to be the only Millennial who comes, so it is very lonely. Bible Study Fellowship, personal Bible reading, and listening to sermons and Christian podcasts is what I use to make up for my lack of attendance, but a lot of people don’t approve of just this.
Of course, hospitals have to be open on Sunday, but stores and restaurants don’t need to be. If you truly want to see more Gen Z and Millennials in church, please stop going to restaurants after church or shopping unless it is an emergency. Wait until evening or Monday. It will free a few young people from being scheduled on Sunday mornings and then they are more likely to go to church. Thank you.
I’ve seen practically all the Batman films and Begins is probably the worst one out there in my opinion. Burton’s Batman is ok, Returns is better mostly for the Penguin, Forever is horrible, Batman and Robin is pretty awesome, The Dark Knight is all right, Dark Knight Rises is boring as heck, and then Pattisons Batman is the best by far. The most interesting, the best characters, and the most awesome action I’ve ever seen this side of Avatar.