Religion/Culture Expert Speaks to Tens of Thousands of Young People Every Year, Says Being Drawn to Atheism and Skepticism Is Concerning

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Millennials are being blamed for yet another cultural phenomenon this week—and it’s something kind of fishy.

Several business outlets are citing a report that the big three tuna suppliers are blaming slumping sales on millennials. The reasons are varied: Millennials don’t pack their lunches, they like fresher food, they are sensitive to eating smelly tuna in a crowded workplace or they don’t even own can openers.

It’s yet another aspect of the complicated millennial psyche that America is still trying to figure out, says religion and culture expert, national radio host and author Dr. Alex McFarland. He speaks to tens of thousands of young people every year, knows the millennials mindset well and wonders why more media aren’t covering a much more pressing matter.

“This week, the millennial headline is tuna, but a much greater concern is how millennials, in droves, are leaving their faith behind,” said McFarland, who is the co-author of “Abandoned Faith: Why Millennials Are Walking Away and How You Can Lead Them Home.” “Since this generation burst onto the scene, many have been trying to figure out their work ethic, spending habits, views on marriage and children and much more. And while these things are important to know, we should be more concerned with their faith beliefs and why some millennials are drawn to atheism, skeptic and the ever-growing religious group of ‘nones.’”

McFarland points to a Los Angeles Times article from earlier this year that cited a Pew Research study that found that one-third of millennials have no religious affiliation. “And who can blame them?” the Times reported. “They were raised in an era of sex abuse scandals and jihadist extremism. Corruption of institutions and ideologies have turned many young people away.”

“When millennials see recent history and witness the headlines that permeate the news, they should be turning toward God rather than away from him,” McFarland added. “Over and over, we say we don’t need God in our lives, our schools or our communities. We don’t want to see messages of Christmas and some certainly don’t want Judeo-Christian values in our laws. But when millennials repeatedly push God away, there is no doubt the consequences will come to light in a very real and tangible way—in our families, churches, schools, government, how we define marriage, even how we view God’s design for gender. If there was ever a time for revival in our nation—and this generation—it is now.”

McFarland is the creator of the successful Truth for a New Generation (TNG) national and regional apologetics conferences, which aim to help students, parents, youth pastors and community members to lift up this young generation, pray for them and empower them to stand strong in their faith.

View the media page for Alex McFarland here. For more information on Dr. Alex McFarland, visit www.AlexMcFarland.com or follow him on Facebook or on Twitter @AlexMcFarland.

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For more information on TNG or to interview Dr. Alex McFarland, contact Deborah Hamilton, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, 610.584.1096, ext. 102, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.