Teenagers today may not be religious but they are more tolerant of religious diversity than generations past.

Professor Mary Lou Rasmussen of the ANU School of Sociology has spoken to ABC Radio National about the religious diversity of Australian youth. You can listen to the interview here.

In the interview Professor Rasmussen explained new research which suggests teenagers can be categorised into six broad groups based on their religious beliefs.

The six broad groups identified by Professor Rasmussen and her team are:

1. This-worldly,
2. Religiously committed,
3. Seekers,
4. Spiritual but not religious,
5. Indifferent, and
6. Nominally religious.

The research on the religious diversity of Australian teenagers is part of the ARC funded Australian Gen Z study. The Australian Gen Z study provides a powerful insight into how teenagers are making sense of the world around them. This Australian Research Council funded project creates new ways of understanding the complexity of young people’s lives and the ways they are apprehending and dealing with diversity.

For more information on the Australian Gen Z study, visit the website here.