No Questions Asked

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This study focuses on the questions that 16-19 year olds have about God, faith and religion and was conducted by The Youthscape Centre for Research.

Taking an ethnographic approach, the researchers carried out in-depth interviews with a group of young people aged 16 to 19 in Luton, Bedfordshire. The interviews were semi-structured and each lasted an hour. Analysis of the transcripts form the foundation of this study.

The report is divided into three sections, beginning with a detailed literature review of research on young people's engagement with faith and religion. This is followed by a description and analysis of the young people's responses on five key themes that emerged: family, belief, death, prayer and questions about religion. The young people demonstrated very little curiosity about religion, faith and God.

In the final section, the researchers draw conclusions about why young people are not questioning. Again, five key themes emerge, offering the reader important insight into how young people engage with faith and religion.

'No Questions Asked' is an important study that's essential reading for anyone working with young people in this field. Church leaders will find the conclusions interesting and may ask if and how they apply to adults. Youth workers will recognise the voices of the young people and find the report a vital help in developing strategy and programmes.