Is there really a 'quiet revival' of religion among Gen Z?
BBC World
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A heated debate is emerging about whether Gen Z is experiencing a "quiet revival" of Christianity. Personal stories like that of Jay Painter, a 27-year-old from Wiltshire who turned to Christianity after his grandfather's death, suggest a growing interest in faith among young people. However, the broader picture is more complex. While some reports, such as the Bible Society’s *The Quiet Revival*, claim a significant increase in Gen Z church attendance, experts are raising concerns about the reliability of these findings. Data from YouGov surveys suggests that regular churchgoers among 18-24 year-olds quadrupled between 2018 and 2024, but other sources, including official church records and the National Centre for Social Research’s British Social Attitudes Survey, show a continued decline in attendance. This discrepancy highlights the challenges of accurately measuring religious trends, particularly among younger generations.
The Bible Society report sparked widespread media coverage and enthusiasm within Christian communities, with some calling for a "louder revival" to engage more young people. Events like the diocese of Guildford’s 2023 conference, titled “turning up the volume on the quiet revival,” reflect a desire to amplify this perceived movement. However, social science experts question whether such claims are overblown, pointing out that if Christianity were truly experiencing a resurgence, it would be more noticeable. University College London’s David Voas notes that the YouGov survey may not be representative and suggests that rewards for participation can skew results.
The debate over the quiet revival matters because it influences how society
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/22/2026