Christian conservatives are often seen as a powerful and influential force in American politics. They have been loyal supporters of the Republican Party and its agenda, especially on issues such as abortion, marriage, religious freedom and Israel. They have also been vocal critics of the progressive and secular values of the Democratic Party and its allies, such as LGBT rights, gender equality, immigration and environmentalism.

However, Christian conservatives may be losing their grip on the future of American politics, as the younger generations of Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly turning away from their faith and their politics. According to various surveys and studies, Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to identify as religiously unaffiliated (or “nones”), more likely to hold relativistic views on morality, more likely to support social justice causes and more likely to vote for Democrats than their older counterparts.

What are the reasons for this generational shift?
There are many possible factors that contribute to the growing gap between Christian conservatives and Gen Z and Millennials.

Some of them are:

• Different religious experiences: Gen Z and Millennials have grown up in a more diverse and pluralistic society than previous generations. They have been exposed to different religions, cultures and worldviews, which may have challenged their inherited beliefs and practices. They have also witnessed the scandals, hypocrisy and politicization of some religious leaders and institutions, which may have eroded their trust and respect for them. Moreover, they have received less religious education and guidance from their parents and communities, who themselves may have become less devout or disaffiliated over timehttps://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/generation-z-future-of-faith/.

• Different political concerns: Gen Z and Millennials have faced different social and economic challenges than previous generations. They have experienced the effects of globalization, terrorism, war, recession, inequality, climate change and pandemic, which may have shaped their priorities and perspectives. They have also benefited from the advances in civil rights, technology, education and health care, which may have expanded their opportunities and horizons. They tend to care more about issues such as racial justice, gender equality, immigration reform and environmental protection than issues such as abortion, marriage, religious freedom and Israelhttps://www.barna.com/research/gen-z-morality/.

• Different information sources: Gen Z and Millennials rely heavily on social media for news and political information. They have access to a wide range of opinions, perspectives and voices online, which may challenge or reinforce their existing views. They also have the ability to create and share their own content, which may express their identity and values. However, they also face some risks, such as misinformation, polarization, echo chambers and online harassment. They need to be critical and discerning consumers of online information, and seek out credible and balanced sources of newshttps://www.barna.com/research/gen-z-morality/.

Reconnect with their community: Christian conservatives may need to foster genuine relationships with Gen Z and Millennials. They may need to listen to their stories and experiences, understand their needs and aspirations, respect their opinions and choiceshttps://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/april/black-gen-z-millennial-christian-church-trends-barna.html. They may also need to collaborate with them on common causes and goalshttps://religioninpublic.blog/2021/07/19/generation-z-and-religion-the-most-recent-data/, invite them to participate in their activities and events, mentor them in their faith journeyand celebrate their achievements. Rebuild their credibility: Christian conservatives may need to restore their reputation and trust among the younger generations. They may need to acknowledge their mistakes and failures, apologize for their harms and sins, repent for their hypocrisy and corruption, reform their structures and systems, renew their commitment to integrity and accountabilityhttps://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/april/black-gen-z-millennial-christian-church-trends-barna.html

Reevaluate their message: Christian conservatives may need to rethink how they communicate their faith and values to the younger generations. They may need to emphasize the positive aspects of Christianity, such as love, grace, hope and service, rather than the negative aspects, such as judgment, condemnation, fear and guilt. They may also need to address the issues that matter to Gen Z and Millennials, such as justice, equality, diversity and sustainabilityhttps://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/april/black-gen-z-millennial-christian-church-trends-barna.html