Youth Seek Spiritual Anchors as Disillusionment with Modern Institutions Grows

Father Patrick Flanagan, chair of theology and religious studies at St. John’s University, stated on Wednesday that younger Americans are increasingly turning to faith as they grow disillusioned with modern institutions they view as politicized, performative, and disconnected from real-world outcomes.

Flanagan cited the recent uptick in Bible sales as evidence of this shift, noting that younger people are gravitating toward religious belief as they lose confidence in social and political institutions that he described as promising much but delivering little.

In response to a question about why younger Americans appear more open to religion than previous generations, Flanagan said: “I think they’re walking away from institutions. I really believe that.”

He elaborated on the societal trends, stating: “There are a lot of politics without impact. A lot of identity wars with regard to gender and also with regard to race. And they just do not believe in these institutions that promise many things but do not deliver. It becomes very problematic for them.”

Flanagan added that younger individuals find current institutions highly performative, explaining: “They’re looking for some truth” when it comes to Bible sales.

The theologian framed this trend as part of a broader generational shift away from ideological conflict and symbolic activism, arguing that younger people are seeking stability, meaning, and authenticity beyond traditional power structures.

Flanagan also discussed President Donald Trump’s public emphasis on faith and religious liberty, particularly his focus on protecting Christian and Jewish communities in the U.S. and abroad.

When asked about a president who places religious liberty at the center of constitutional governance, Flanagan noted that Trump’s approach reflects long-standing personal priorities rather than political calculation. “This is not atypical of President Trump,” he said. “He cares for our troops, their children, and in a way that is really, really beautiful.”

Flanagan connected this outlook to themes of gratitude and national service, describing how the president’s efforts acknowledge military families during the holiday season. “With the arrival of Santa Claus this evening, it’s a very exciting time for them,” he said. “At the same time, he’s reaching out to them because he knows that their families are probably missing them a great deal.”

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of recognizing military service: “Because of their absence and yet at the same time, they want to instill in them a sense of gratitude on the part of our nation for the service that these women and men give us as people who live in a freedom that many, many people in the world do not know.”