Young men are coming to church in record numbers. What does this mean for society and for the young men themselves?

From Higher Ground Times. In a post-election jeremiad at Slate, Jill Filipovic opined that President-elect Donald Trump rode to victory on a “particular kind of masculine identity” that “imperils men and women alike.”

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Ms. Filipovic is right about the first point and wrong about the second. Men have risen: young men and old men, as well as men of all races. Women also voted for Mr. Trump in unexpected numbers, but commentators on the left and right seem to agree that men — especially young men — are the ones who propelled Mr. Trump into the White House, and his allies into Senate and House majorities.

Consider these trends among male Gen Z voters:

• Young men broke for Mr. Trump by 2%; young women broke for Ms. Harris by 24%.
• Men are increasing in church attendance even as their female peers are leaving.
• Men’s religious identification is noticeably increasing—far fewer Gen Z men identify as “nones” than women.
• Young men are 80% more likely to identify as evangelicals than women their age.

The demographic shift of young men is a huge story. But the bigger story is about the role that religion played in this shift. Young men are becoming both conservative and religious in a mutually reinforcing cycle. This trend defies all conventional wisdom, which says that women always have been and will always be more religious.

Is growing religiosity among young men a societal threat — as Ms. Filipovic suggests — or a benefit? Evidence suggests the latter. Religious growth among men is related to stronger life purpose, better mental health, increased morality, healthier habits, and a growing respectfulness toward others.

Bringing young men into adulthood is tricky for any society. Sociologist Margaret Mead noted several decades ago that “the central problem of every society is to define appropriate roles for men.”

It’s true. In my work with Summit Ministries, I have interacted with thousands of young men. It is far easier to get the man out of boyhood than it is to get the boyhood out of the man. Historically, religion has played a key role in this transition. The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was founded for this very purpose.

Yet the growing religiosity of young men makes some people nervous.

Kristin Kobes Du Mez, the best-selling author of “Jesus and John Wayne,” contends that current expressions of Christian masculinity are fundamentally toxic. Ms. Du Mez even castigates the Promise Keepers movement that encouraged a generation of men to be faithful and kind husbands. Widely reported church abuse scandals have made many women deeply suspicious of the connection between religion and masculinity.

Young men returning to church is not a portent of fascism or misogyny. It is a natural impulse of a generation of young men who feel underrated, lonely, and aimless, and who are finding that God is the answer.

Of course, masculinity alone will not positively shape American culture. It must be a godly masculinity, the kind that serves as a protector rather than a predator, that seeks justice rather than justifying bad behavior. Faith is known by its works.

When men are godly, society has a big view of God. When men are not godly, society has a small view of God. We should celebrate — not condemn — the rise of men.

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This article was originally published at Higher Ground Times. Used with permission. Photo Credit: Afta Putta Gunawan/Pexels.