According to the Survey Center on American Life, at least 19% of Gen Z, or those between the ages of 12 and 27, have left their formative religion. The Survey Center has been tracking the statistic among several generations, and Gen Z is the first where more of the disaffected are women (54%) than men (46%).
Dr. Alex McFarland says modern feminism is the problem.
"It's unfortunate that women in America are leaving the Church, but it doesn't mean there's something wrong church, the biblical worldview, or family," he asserts.
The Survey Center notes that 61% of Gen Z women identify as feminists, which means they are more concerned about the perceived unequal treatment of women in American society and are more suspicious of institutions that uphold traditional social arrangements.
McFarland says they are believing a lie.
"The world makes promises that you'll find fulfillment away from God, church, and family, but the world also sends messages: Male authority figures are bad; they subjugate women. Pastors are bad; they want to control people," the apologist observes. "These are not true."
Considering the fact that many of these women are likely gone for good, he urges the Church not to compromise the biblical view of womanhood.
"From childhood up, I believe churches throughout the Western world need to teach the gospel," he submits. That includes salvation as well as the God-ordained roles of men and women.
"God structured the world as He did not to be oppressive, but to bless us and to prosper and give us a heritage," Dr. McFarland concludes.
While waning religious involvement among young women affects the volunteer efforts to which women tend to contribute, it will also affect future generations, as research shows mothers play an instrumental role in passing on religious values and beliefs to their children.
