What “Spiritual But Not Religious” Christians Really Believe

They post Bible verses on Instagram, journal prayers, and talk about feeling close to God in nature. Some even say they believe in Jesus. But ask them what church they attend, and the answer is often, “I don’t.”

Among Gen Z, more and more young adults identify as “spiritual but not religious” and a surprising percentage still consider themselves Christians. The difference? They want connection with God without the structure, commitment, or authority of the local church. They keep the comfort of God’s love, but often skip the cost of discipleship.

Why This Is Growing

It’s not hard to see the cultural backdrop. Gen Z has watched high-profile church scandals play out online. Many have experienced hypocrisy, politics, or controlling leadership firsthand. For them, stepping away from institutional religion feels like a healthy boundary. But in leaving those problems behind, some also abandon the core foundations of biblical faith.

Barna’s recent research highlights the tension:

• 60% of Gen Z say they’re more open to God after the pandemic.

• Nearly half haven’t attended a church service in the past six months.

Barna CEO David Kinnaman calls it a “renewed interest in Jesus” but one coming with a lot of theological drift. He notes that this is the first time in over a decade that spiritual interest is being led by younger generations. Still, interest in Jesus is often paired with other influences like crystals, manifestation, personality typing, and self-help mantras.

The Rise of Remix Christianity

For many in this movement, belief is formed outside of church: through TikTok videos, podcasts, and loosely connected online communities. Without the grounding of Scripture, historic Christian teaching, or accountability, theology becomes a mix of what feels good and what seems right in the moment.

It’s not just that church attendance is low. Many “spiritual-but-not-religious” believers also avoid submission to biblical authority, the discipline of repentance, or any accountability beyond personal feelings. Christianity, in this context, becomes a choose-your-own-adventure faith.

Kinnaman observes that “people are often a patchwork of religious beliefs and identities.” For Gen Z, that patchwork often includes social justice activism, therapy language, ancient mysticism, astrology, and occasional Bible verses all blended together.

The Problem with Going Solo

While curiosity about God is good, curiosity without grounding leads to confusion. Scripture presents the church as the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the family of God a place for discipleship, fellowship, and growth. Christianity was never designed to be a solo pursuit.

Barna’s research shows that many Gen Z believers are asking basic spiritual questions like:

• How do I talk to God?

• How do I know if I’m hearing from Him?

These are valid questions but they also reveal how spiritually untethered many feel without consistent teaching, modeling, and mentorship.

An Opportunity for the Church

The good news is that Gen Z isn’t running from Jesus they’re often running from what felt fake or disconnected from real life. The pandemic disrupted routines and created space for deeper questions about meaning, truth, and belonging.

This gives the church an opening not to chase trends or water down the Gospel, but to offer something authentic, rooted, and real:

• Space for honest questions without compromising truth.

• Consistent presence in relationships, not just in public platforms.

• Invitations back into genuine community not for policing, but for discipleship.

From Starting Point to Lasting Faith

“I’m spiritual but not religious” can be the starting point of a journey toward real faith. But if that’s where it ends isolated, self-directed, and driven mostly by emotion it’s unlikely to endure.

Following Jesus means more than believing He exists. It means learning His words, walking in His ways, and living in His bod the church. It means aligning our beliefs with His truth, not just with our personal comfort.

Jesus never calls us to follow our feelings. He calls us to follow Him and to walk that road together.

Share this with someone exploring faith or subscribe to our newsletter for more articles that address today’s spiritual questions with biblical clarity.