FFRF awarded Danae $400.

By Danae Daniels

I am a part of a generation that is routinely referred to as the least religious generation in U. S history and, therefore, I find myself at the epicenter of a cultural shift. The growing lack of religious practice in my generation and among my peers is multifaceted — social, cultural and philosophical.

The first one is that, due to the development of the internet and social media, we are constantly exposed to the world and alternative ideas. We are no longer required to be confined within the beliefs and customs of society. We are exposed to views from all over the globe. This has allowed us to reason critically, and this has made many of us start challenging the ideas that religious institutions have considered sacrosanct.

Furthermore, the rise of pluralism and diversity in modern societies has also brought about tolerance and acceptance of different religious beliefs. The benefit of living in and studying multicultural societies has allowed our generation to do away with the ideals of religious supremacy. This has generated a culture of acceptance and compassion, which causes some of us to refrain from religious identities that can cause division and discrimination.

In addition, science and technology also provide other explanations for natural occurrences that were previously attributed to the hand of God. The more we discover about the universe using the concepts of cosmology, evolution and neuroscience, the less we need explanations in terms of the supernatural. For many young people, science and evidence are far more important than religion.

Young individuals who abandon organized religion do not necessarily abandon spirituality or morality, but rather re-educate themselves in their self-determined way outside the boundaries of traditional religious institutions. Most of us find our meaning and purpose through secular rather than religious means. Individuals develop relationships and achieve a sense of belonging through non-religious groups and movements that focus on shared humanity, equality and collectivism.

Secularism is a very positive change in our culture, and that cultural change is beneficial to both the individual and the country in general. Through our neutral worldview, we promote critical thinking and rationality. This empowers people to make their own decisions because they believe it is what needs to be done, not because someone simply told them to. This understanding also includes the concept of diversity in that it recognizes and tries to incorporate the wide range of human experiences and what each person encounters in his or her life. In addition, it will be possible to create a civilized and just society that does not strive to divide people into classes and trap them in the limits imposed by religions and the conflicts they have initiated.

As a member of Gen Z, I encourage the transition from religion to secularism. This trend away from religion is favorable as it shows progress toward a well-informed and awakened society that will be sensitive and accepting of different people.

Danae, 23, attends the University of South Carolina-Upstate, where she is majoring in business management.

“I grew up in a low-income home with a single mother,” Danae writes. “I have done very well academically. I volunteer in my community with food banks, back-to-school givebacks, and even painting houses. I am a licensed esthetician in both South Carolina and Georgia.”