In an Age of Religious Disaffiliation, Why Are People in Their 20s and 30s Finding Answers to Life’s Questions in Shincheonji?

When I talk with people my age these days, I often notice that, even as everyone works hard to keep up with life, there are moments when they suddenly let out a deep sigh.

The endless competition to build stronger résumés, an increasingly difficult job market, soaring housing costs, and even uncertainty about retirement.

Young people run breathlessly just to keep from falling behind in a world where everyone seems to be on their own, yet when they finally pause, a sense of emptiness and uncertainty can suddenly creep in: “Why am I living this intensely in the first place?”

 

Recent news reports and statistics make this reality even clearer.

Around 70–80% of people in their 20s and 30s reportedly identify as having no religion, with “lack of interest” cited by far as the most common reason for having no religious affiliation.

For young people who are more immediately concerned with making ends meet or preparing for their next career move, ideas such as salvation in the afterlife or abstract religious doctrines can feel far removed from everyday life.

It is not uncommon to see reports of people turning to generative AI chatbots, rather than clergy or friends, to share their worries and seek comfort.

 

And yet, at a time when interest in religion is declining and established religious communities are rapidly aging, there is one place where young adults in their 20s and 30s continue to gather, bringing a noticeable sense of vitality.

 

That place is Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

 

Looking beyond the simplistic views and preconceptions surrounding the group, I found myself asking a different question: What is it about Shincheonji that resonates with young people living under the weight of anxiety and uncertainty?

What stood out to me was that Shincheonji offers practical and clear answers to the deep unmet needs faced by young adults in their 20s and 30s.

I identified three key values that resonated with young adults in their 20s and 30s.

 

The Word — A “Compass for Life” That Information Alone Cannot Provide

 

We live in an age of information overload.

Algorithms constantly recommend content they think we will like, while AI can generate seemingly convincing answers within seconds whenever we ask a question.

Ironically, the more information we have, the less clear our sense of direction in life becomes.

No search engine can provide a definitive answer to deeply personal questions such as, “Why do I exist, and where am I going?”

 

For many young people, one reason they have distanced themselves from religion is fatigue with being told to “just believe” without asking why.

For young adults in their 20s and 30s who value cause-and-effect reasoning and logical persuasion, vague or abstract words of comfort simply do not resonate.

 

The most distinctive feature of Shincheonji’s Bible education system is its logical and systematic approach to explaining all 66 books of the Bible through the framework of who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Going beyond the simple memorization of religious knowledge, the process logically explains the true meaning of Scripture and how its prophecies are fulfilled in reality, giving young people a profound sense of intellectual and spiritual fulfillment.

This fundamental insight, something algorithms cannot replicate, becomes a reliable “compass for life,” helping young people stay grounded and find their direction in a complicated world.

 

Service — “Warmth in Action” Beyond Words on a Screen

 

Social media feeds are filled with messages of encouragement and words meant to comfort us.

But once we put our phones down, we quickly return to the colder realities of everyday life.

​After growing tired of words that offer comfort without action, many young people long for a sense that their time and effort can make a genuine positive difference in the world.

 

What impressed me most when observing the volunteer and community service activities of Shincheonji youth was not grand claims of achievement, but the quiet, sincere efforts of those who work tirelessly out of the spotlight.

Whether visiting people in need in their communities, lending a hand at disaster sites, or quietly cleaning streets and neighborhoods, these young volunteers show a genuine sense of energy and vitality rather than reluctance or obligation.

 

It is an experience of sharing genuine human warmth—something words on a screen can never fully provide.

By witnessing firsthand how the effort they devote to others can brighten someone else’s day, young people regain a healthy sense of self-efficacy—the feeling that “I, too, am someone the world needs.”

It is the warmth of quiet action, rather than slogans without follow-through, that stirs young people’s hearts.

 

Culture and Community — Finding “Wholehearted Acceptance” in a World Where Everyone Is on Their Own

 

One of the deepest struggles many young adults face today is loneliness and isolation.

Online relationships are convenient because they can be muted or ended at any time, but they do not always provide the support we need when life becomes overwhelming.

In a fiercely competitive society where failure can feel like falling behind everyone else, young people often live under constant pressure.

 

From the outside, Shincheonji’s highly organized and coordinated culture may simply appear to be a strict system of discipline.

However, this is not imposed control, but order rooted in a culture of mutual respect.

 

For young people exhausted by a culture of individual survival, being warmly welcomed by peers regardless of age, educational background, or occupation—and having people who genuinely stand beside them in difficult moments and celebrate their joys—can provide a powerful sense of comfort and belonging.

Rather than cold relationships that disappear once the screen is closed, these connections become a strong support system in which people share the burdens of life together.

 

In an age of religious disaffiliation among young adults—often described as a crisis for religion—the fact that young people are gathering at Shincheonji and choosing to stay is no coincidence.

It is because these experiences fill needs that many young people have long carried: clear answers about truth that can ease their anxiety, warmth expressed through action beyond the cold glow of a screen, and a caring community that embraces them without conditions.

 

Ultimately, what opens people's hearts is not the size or outward appearance of an organization.

Rather, it may be the warmth of values that make people feel seen and help bring meaningful positive changes to their lives.

For the many young people struggling to find their own path amid the pressures of everyday life, I hope the stories of Shincheonji’s young members can offer a chance to see new possibilities and consider different perspectives on life.

 

 

:: References ::

[Religion Today ②] Aging Religion: Who Will Remain in 10 Years?

[Religion These Days ④] “AI, Will God Forgive Me?”… People Seeking AI Over Pastors and Monks