Holy FOMO! Gen Z is Getting Religious (and It’s Not Just for the Aesthetic)

Move over, avocado toast and ironic mullets—Gen Z has a new obsession, and it’s not what you’d expect. According to The Times of London, young people are heading back to church, swapping Saturday night clubbing for Sunday morning worship. Turns out, religion is making a comeback, and this generation is putting its own spin on it—complete with TikTok sermons, faith-based dating apps, and shockingly sober weekends.

Jesus is Trending

For years, Gen Z has been known as the anxious, overworked, therapy-loving, screen-addicted generation. But now, many are turning to God for answers that Google doesn’t have. One of them is Emily Beaney, a social media influencer who shares “Get Ready with Me for Church” videos with her 57,000 TikTok followers. Yes, you read that right—the church has officially gone viral.

“There are some things that ChatGPT can’t answer. Like, what is your purpose? Why are we here?” Emily told The Times. And while she could probably find a billion different hot takes online, she (and a growing number of her peers) is looking to faith instead.

But don’t expect old-school fire-and-brimstone sermons. Modern churches catering to young people have ditched the musty pews and creepy organ music in favor of something a bit more… vibes. Think: Instagrammable interiors, worship songs that sound suspiciously like Coldplay, and enough neon lighting to make it look like a Coachella afterparty.

Wait, Gen Z is Saying No to Casual Sex?

Here’s a plot twist: Gen Z is not only getting religious, but they’re also way less into hookup culture than their millennial predecessors. According to research cited by The Times, young adults today are having significantly less casual sex than the wild, Noughties-era Skins generation.

Sam Myers, a 20-year-old model and actor, is part of this shift. He drinks (but not too much), goes to church every Sunday, and—brace yourself—he’s waiting until marriage to have sex. Why? “There’s something beautiful about the commitment of waiting,” he says.

It’s a far cry from the party-hard, YOLO-fueled culture millennials grew up with. And while waiting until marriage might not be everyone’s thing, there’s no denying that Gen Z is taking a drastically different approach to dating. Case in point: Salt, a Christian dating app that’s like Tinder, but with a whole lot more Jesus.

As 23-year-old Esther Jackson explains, “You have to do a bit of investigative work and suss out how serious they are about their faith.” So, holy background checks are a must.

Jesus, But Make It Fashion

Of course, this isn’t just about abstinence and Bible study—it’s about aesthetics, too. Faith influencers (yes, that’s a thing now) are using social media to make Christianity look, well, cool. The modern church crowd isn’t exactly the cardigan-wearing, Ned Flanders type. Think trendy outfits, slick branding, and an overall “God, but make it Gen Z” energy.

And let’s not forget about the dating scene. There’s a reason why Holy Trinity Brompton church in London has the nickname Hunt The Bride. Spoiler: Young Christians aren’t just looking for Jesus—they’re looking for their future spouse.

The Almighty Algorithm

So, why is religion suddenly making a comeback? Some say it’s because Gen Z is stressed out. Between climate change, economic instability, and doomscrolling through existential crises daily, young people are desperate for a sense of purpose.

“We’re always called the hopeless generation,” says 23-year-old Jackson. “We’re dealing with so many mental health problems, and online culture has fueled comparison on another level. I think once people hit that place of, ‘I have tried and I am still not good enough,’ that’s when they turn to Christianity.”

It also helps that some big-name influencers (we’re looking at you, Russell Brand) are now talking about faith in an intellectual way. Even Jordan Peterson—controversial though he may be—has declared himself “a new kind of Christian.” Whether you love or loathe these figures, their influence is undeniable.

From Clubbing to Christ

This shift isn’t just about religion—it’s about community. While millennials were about “finding themselves” through self-care and solo travel, Gen Z seems more focused on finding meaning together.

Theo Powell, a 20-year-old who works at an evangelical church in London, sums it up: “Christianity counteracts individualism. A lot of people live their life thinking, ‘you’re on your own, do what makes you happy.’ But we’re designed to be connected.”

So, is Gen Z bringing Jesus back, or is this another TikTok trend? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure—if faith continues to gain followers at this rate, the church might become the hottest club in town.

No bouncers required.