Spiritual But Not Religious: Atheism’s New Competition?

A booming share of Gen Z and Millennials now tick “spiritual but not religious” on surveys—a choice some atheists scoff at, but which reflects deeper undercurrents.

Why this turn to spirituality absent religion? For many, it’s about hope and meaning without dogma: practices like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or even tarot offer comfort and a sense of identity, minus institutional baggage. Critics claim this is just “faith lite,” lacking rigor and discipline.

Yet, the rise of “spiritual atheism” also reflects adaptive change. People crave transcendence and ritual; ignoring this leaves secular spaces feeling sterile. By acknowledging nuance and diversity, the atheist movement can become stronger, not weaker.

The new challenge: secularism must make room for the full spectrum of doubt, wonder, and meaning-seeking.