Black Millennials more religious than other Millennials

The analysis, based on data from the Center’s 2014 Religious Landscape Study, revealed that 64% of black Millennials are highly religious compared to 39% of nonblack Millennials. Religious commitment was measured by a four-item scale which includes belief in God, self-described importance of religion, prayer and worship attendance. 

More than half of black Millennials (61%) say they pray daily compared to 39% of nonblack Millennials, while 38% of black Millennials say they attend religious services at least weekly compared to 25% of nonblack Millennials. 

Black Millennials are also more likely to read scripture outside of religious services than nonblack Millennials and 61% of black Millennials say they feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being at least weekly compared to 50% of nonblack Millennials. 

Millennials as a whole (the generation born between 1981 – 1996) are generally less religious than other generations, according to a number of recent surveys from Pew Research Center. This pattern is also seen among black Millennials when comparing them to older black Americans.

Black Millennials are less likely than older blacks to say they pray daily, attend religious service weekly or that religion is very important to them. They are also less likely than older blacks to read scripture outside of religious services or report a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being at least weekly.

A previous analysis from Pew Center showed that older African Americans are also more likely than younger black adults to be associated with historically black Protestant churches —  63% of the Silent Generation (born between 1928 and 1945) compared to 41% of black Millennials.

Only once aspect of religion seems to transcend demographics. Respondents in all of these groups are about equally likely to report feeling a deep sense of wonder about the universe.