Zoomers Flocking to Christianity: A Personal Journey
Amidst a notable shift, Generation Z, particularly young men, are increasingly turning towards Christianity. This trend prompts a closer look at the personal narratives behind this movement.
One individual illustrating this trend is Connor Tomlinson, a conservative activist and broadcaster who identifies as a “Reactionary Catholic Zoomer.”
Tomlinson, who has Irish roots, was baptized into the Catholic Church during childhood. Although his early years were not marked by regular church attendance, he attended a local Church of England primary school noted for its academic performance.
Reflecting on his religious journey in an interview with Catholic Family News last year, Tomlinson recounted what drew him back to the Catholic Church.
A pivotal moment was the suicide of his uncle, which deeply affected his family. “It really impacted my family,” Tomlinson recounted. “As a kid I didn’t see how badly it had hurt them at the time, but obviously it was a deep wound and they found solace in going back to their local church.”
Despite this, and having been confirmed, Tomlinson admitted that during his teenage years, he felt disconnected from the church, with his interests lying elsewhere, particularly in video games. He described himself as “coasting along” and “nihilistic.”
However, in 2019, a shift began. Influenced by figures like Jordan Peterson and other intellectual cultural Christians, Tomlinson faced personal challenges, including issues at his university and the end of a relationship.
“I had to piece my own worldview back together … It was strange that all the best people I knew in conservative circles were Christians, all the best people I knew personally were Christians,” he explained.
A turning point came when a former friend, who had reconnected with the church, encouraged him with a straightforward nudge: “Just believe it you idiot and see what happens.”
This advice, coupled with newfound humility, led Tomlinson to begin attending church regularly with his grandmother. “Ever since I’ve loved attending every Sunday,” he shared.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
