Why don't more young people believe in God?

Because cookie monster eats vegetables now. Proof that there is nothing left to believe in.

Allow me to answer your question from a teenager's point of view, as I just graduated last year. The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules. And by that, I don't mean no social / justice rules. But God has all these rules. I once heard someone say that "The only reason rules were created were to be broken." At first, I didn't want to believe him, but now I realize it's true. If you don't believe me, how many of the Ten Commandments have you broken? Have you ever stolen something, even as small as a pen? Have you ever lied, even just a small white lie? Jesus said that if a man looks with lust towards a woman, he has committed adultery. Have you ever lusted toward somebody? And that's just three of the ten. I've broken all three, and probably all ten. So, where's the grace? Most pastors teach today about how if you become saved that you will be welcomed with open arms. But, oh my gosh, if you slip up just once, everybody pounces on you, and they don't forgive you. Don't believe me? Read the Jim Bakker story. There are others with worse cases than his, too. So, there's your reasons. Too many rules, not enough grace, not enough love.

This is quite a negative question. I know there are young people besides myself who do believe in God and believe in their friends and families and their world in general.

Young people may feel they have nothing to believe in because they don't feel like part of their community or a part of society in general. Society never gave them the spiritual instruction they need to believe in themselves and in others.

Joseph Campbell addresses this topic in a documentary with Bill Moyers. It has been transcribed and I highly recommend the read. It discusses mythologies from around the world, but it is highly insightful and entertaining no matter your religion.

You can start reading on page 8. I hope this answer helps.

In the late 60's and early 70's, a lot of people stopped going to Church. It's pretty hard for the children to believe something their parents never talk about. I have to disagree that a lot of young people don't believe in God. I heard many times lately from young people that they wanted to go to Church and that they wanted to know more about God but their parents didn't know anything. I find that more and more children, where I live anyway, get more involved in Church activities and truly want to have a relationship with God.

as time passes, each generation becomes more tuned into the world and everything that Satan has to offer and tempt us. Satan's ultimate goal is destroy young believer's minds, even by using outwardly good things such as education and media.

Those who given the opportunity to believe in such a Lord are blessed unspeakably.

"And for that matter why don't they believe in anything at all, beyond themselves."

Name some. I'm an atheist, but I believe in my fellow man, my coffee table, and lots of things besides myself. What's your point?

I didn't because I was raised to believe in more logical and realistic concepts.

Man that hurts to use past tense... I guess nearing the end of 29 no longer counts as part of the "young people" anymore. *sigh*

I think I know the answer that and it might not be the easiest thing to hear in the world, but being a young person my self I find that it is to hard to believe in the God that is preached to us. We know that the bible itself is just different peoples accounts and not really the word of god. And its easy today to say that you can't really trust people .. sorry

Because most churches seem backwards and ancient to teenagers and young adults (ok, and others as well, but especially young people). They aren't flexible enough to deal with the different wants/needs of youth.

beign young is abotu finding yourself, learning who you are, not beign told who you are

so they dont beleive what they are told to beleive, thwy beleive what they want to beleive

as for beyond themselves, its biology, its basic human animal natural biology

we are all like that as a teen

even the ones who are so nice and polite, are still atypical teen

Kudos to answer #1.

"don't they believe in anything at all, beyond themselves."

What do you mean by that, exactly?