Sammanfattning: SOM-institutets undersökning visar att unga i Sverige blir mer öppna för tro, kyrkan och existentiella frågor. Intresset handlar främst om att söka mening, gemenskap och trygghet i en osäker värld, snarare än traditionell kristen tro. Därför är det viktigt att den kristna vuxenvärlden visar de sökande ungdomarna vad kyrkan har att ge.

At the university of Gothenburg the SOM institute conducts studies centered around Society, Opinion and Media. The yearly surveys give information about the progression of the Swedish society.

The latest survey gives some interesting information about young people’s interest in religious questions.

Sweden is a highly secularized country and the majority of young people are not regularly religiously active. However, there seems to be a small, but steady, change towards an increasing interest.

After many years of declining religious engagement, a small but noticeable increase can be seen among young people (especially teenagers and young adults) in terms of interest in the church, faith, and spirituality. This doesn’t, however, mean that young people embrace traditional Christian belief but rather that they are curious and are looking for meaning in their lives.

What can the reasons be? According to the SOM survey there are several possible explanations.  Today many young people experience stress when thinking about the future – climate issues, war, criminality etc. Then the church can offer community, calm and answers to existential questions.

Religion can also offer alternatives in a more and more superficial and individualized society. Our churches are seen not only as religious spaces but also as social meeting places. Events, youth groups and volunteer work attract interest.

The interest in the Christian faith can sometimes be linked to cultural identity rather than personal faith. Some young people explore religion as part of understanding who they are.

We must be aware of the fact that the interest often is broadly spiritual and not limited to organized Christianity.

The SOM survey shows that young people in Sweden are not necessarily becoming more traditionally religious, but are more open to faith, the church, and existential questions than before. This reflects a broader need for meaning, community, and orientation in an uncertain world.

I think that this trend can be found in more countries than Sweden.

This means that we, as Christian teachers, parents and adults, must be prepared to talk with our students, children and grandchildren and all young people about our own faith, show the alternatives and invite them: ”Come and see.”

Karin Ambjörn