"Whatever" - the catch-cry of Sydney's teens - seems to sum up perfectly the loosely held beliefs of Australia's most lost and confused generation " those people born from 1976-1990.
The Spirit of Generation Y project (2003-2006) is being released this week by Monash University, the Australian Catholic University and the Christian Research Association.
The research demolishes the often made claim that the youngest generation is more "religious' or "spiritual' than older generations.
Strong and committed belief is down across the board, from regular attendance at church services to belief in atheism to participation in the New Age.
"Militant secularism has decreased over the generations. But so has the level of interest in spirituality. The young people are more likely to say ‘I don’t know’." says Dr Hughes.
Many Australian young people just seem plain lost - unsure about everything "spiritual'.
One-third, for example, are not sure about the existence of God. More than 20 per cent are not sure about life after death. At the same time, many are also not sure if they believe in reincarnation or astrology or not.
Among those who believe in God, many are not at all sure what God is like.
Consumer mindset
Monash University sociology lecturer Dr Andrew Singleton says social forces such as secularisation, consumerism and individualism are the significant factors in shaping the beliefs of Generation Y.
"Generation Y are what their parents and Australian culture have made them," Dr Singleton says.
"They believe an individual's views and preferences, provided they harm no-one else, should not be questioned or constrained, and that spiritual or religious beliefs and practices are purely personal lifestyle choices and in no way necessary."
Dr Philip Hughes from the Christian Research Association says the dominance of a consumerist mindset impacts the way young people hear the messages preached by Christian leaders.
He said this was clear was when he asked schools students in Christian schools what they thought about God.
"The dominance of the consumeristic culture in which they live tends to shape the way they approach what they hear. The idea of a God as a "butler' on call when help is needed fits more readily into the consumeristic framework," Dr Hughes says.
"Many young people have the idea that God is there for us, rather than we being there for God. God watches over us and protects us when we are in danger."
The death of the New Age?
What the research shows is a higher level of "popular' superstition amongst young people, but little commitment to anything in practice.
"The fact that 51 per cent believe definitely or possibly in reincarnation might suggest that half of Australian young people are presently exploring Eastern religions. The fact that 42 per cent believe definitely or possibly in astrology suggests that a large proportion hold New Age ideas," Dr Hughes says.
"A few young people talked about their fascination with Buddhism in particular. But we found very few who had become active practitioners of these alternatives forms of religion."
There appears to be indications that the New Age is dying out.
"The general pattern is that there is an openess to alternative beliefs among Generation Y, but few actually get into the practices. Alternative spiritualities have dissipated in the general public arena. Active alternative spiritual groups are not ‘reproducing’," says Dr Hughes.
Dr Hughes explained that older generations were more active in New Age practices than Generation Y.
"Generation Y are actually less likely to be involved in eclectic forms of spirituality than Generation X, although again the differences are slight. The Boomers tend to be more heavily into yoga and mediation," he says.
