In Ukraine, the number of people who identify themselves as atheists has doubled over the past two years of war
In Ukraine, the number of people who identify themselves as atheists has doubled over the past two years of war. This was shown by a sociological study conducted in February 2024 by the Institute of Leadership, Management and Coaching. Before the war, 7% of respondents considered themselves atheists, but now this figure has risen to 14%, and among young people aged 18-24, it is almost 39%.
Yaroslav Pyzh, president of the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, spoke about the challenges posed by this growth to the church in the podcast “Believe and Live,” published on the RISU portal.
Why is the number of atheists growing?
Yaroslav Pyzh names several main reasons for this phenomenon:
War and chaos. Young people who do not yet have an established worldview often cannot understand why God allows suffering that looks like chaos.
Openness to self-determination. Young people are no longer afraid to declare their differences, even if they contradict family expectations or traditions.
Individualism. Modern trends of self-discovery and individualism are pushing young people to distance themselves from religious traditions.
“I don’t think that atheism is the end point for young people. It is rather a search for answers to the question “Who am I?”,” notes Pyzh.
How can the church respond to the challenge?
1. Changing approaches.
Pyzh emphasizes that the church is often limited to familiar ideas and categories of “right and wrong” that do not resonate with young people. It is important to be able to encourage dialogue and allow questions.
“Our task is to form believers who are not afraid of doubts and are ready to search for answers,” he explains.
2. Focus on values.
The Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary emphasizes the formation of values that allow one to look at the world more broadly and find common ground with others.
3. The example of Christ.
According to Pyzh, the church should follow the example of Jesus, who demonstrated the values of mercy and understanding, in particular in the story of the woman who was caught in adultery.
Can God exist after the war?
Pyzh believes that instead of trying to answer complex questions, the church should share the pain and fate of people.
“Our task is to become those who not only talk about God, but also show Him through their actions,” he emphasizes.
The church should be close to people in the most difficult times, because only then can it become a hope for society.
What can parents do?
Yaroslav Pyzh, as a father of three adult children, advises parents to support their children in their search for faith, even if they temporarily leave religion:
“Children need space to find their own God, not the God of their parents. Do not be afraid of their questions and do not impose cheap answers. God is bigger than all our doubts.”
