By Mansoor Gondal
The 21st century is defined by machinery that gives us abundance yet leaving us still in want. Where science has provided medical advancement and digital means connecting us around the world, but we still feel alone …Yet despite all this progress, many people today feel more over feel lost — seeking grounding, clarity, or even escape.
Finding yourself might mean letting go of belief or leaning into it. The journey is personal.
So, where does religion stand in this modern age? Is it a guide, a distraction, or something fading into history?
The Numbers: A Mixed Picture:
Globally, religion is both growing and shrinking. It depends entirely on where you look.
In the West (Europe, North America, and Australia), religious affiliation is sharply declining, particularly among younger generations.
In the Global South (Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia), religion is growing rapidly. High birth rates and strong communal traditions are major drivers.
Why Are People Leaving Religion?
Many former believers speak openly about why they walked away from faith traditions they once held dear.
Cathy, who grew up in an Irish Catholic family and attended Catholic school taught by nuns, no longer identifies with any religion.
“I do pagan practices now—more about the earth, what you can feel, hear, and the energy it gives,” she says.
For Cathy, religion lost its meaning due to corruption and unanswered questions.
This is a common story: many people cite spiritual disillusionment, abuse of power, and silence in the face of important questions.
Common Reasons People Leave Religion:
Hypocrisy or abuse in religious institutions
Conflicts with science, Sexual orientation, and gender equality.
Spiritual manipulation or trauma.
A desire for personal spiritual autonomy.
“I left because the more questions I asked, the more I was told to stop questioning. That’s when I knew I was done.” – Ahmed A, former Muslim, now Agnostic.
Why Are People Converting or Returning?
Despite growing disaffiliation in some regions, religious conversion and recommitment remain active.
Why are people returning—or finding faith for the first time?
Common Motivations:
Seeking peace or meaning after personal crisis
Influence from relationships (e.g., marriage or family)
Desire for community, structure, or moral grounding.
“After a rough time in my life, I found Islam. It gave me peace and clarity I never felt before.” – Jenna T, 28, convert to Islam.
“I deconstructed my faith and almost left entirely. But eventually, I found a version of Christianity that made space for my doubts—and my identity.” – Leo B, progressive Christian.
The Rise of Personal Spirituality
While traditional religion declines in many areas, personal spirituality is on the rise. The phrase “spiritual but not religious” reflects a growing group that rejects institutional faith but still seeks connection, purpose, and transcendence.
Practices like yoga, meditation, astrology, ancestral traditions, and earth-based spirituality are growing.
Online spaces allow people to explore diverse worldviews and even blend elements from multiple traditions.
“I light candles for my grandmother. I meditate. I don’t belong to a religion, but I still feel deeply connected to something larger.” – Anika, 25, spiritual but not religious.
In the UK: The Statistics
Recent statistics show a dramatic shift:
Christianity has dropped to 46.2% (ONS, 2021)
Those with “no religion” now make up 37.2% in England & Wales, and over 51% in Scotland
Islam is the fastest-growing religion, now at 6.5% (ONS, 2021)
Among 18–24-year-olds, around 70% have no religious affiliation (BSA, 2019)
Church attendance continues to decline (The Guardian, 2025)
Conclusion: A Redefinition of Faith
So—is religion growing, or are people leaving?
The answer is both.
Yes, religion is growing, particularly in the Global South
Yes, people are leaving, especially in secular, industrialised nations
Most importantly: the way people relate to religion is changing
In the 21st century, religion is less inherited and more chosen. Faith is no longer a default—it’s a journey. And whether that journey leads someone toward or away from organised religion, one thing is clear:
The spiritual landscape is more complex, personal, and diverse than ever before.