Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture Cultural Update: UK Revival Questioned; Child Safety on Social Media; Posthumous Sperm Retrieval
Jan 30, 2026
A fresh look at claims of a UK youth revival and why survey methods change the story. A major legal fight over social media and child safety highlights platform accountability. Tough ethical questions surface around posthumous sperm retrieval and consent. Conversations probe shifting political identities for younger generations and practical stewardship of marriage and family life.
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Revival Claims May Be Survey Artifacts
- Opt-in surveys can create a misleading revival narrative because respondents self-select and may not represent the population.
- Pew's random-sample data suggest Christian identification in the UK has declined, challenging revival claims.
Barna's Practitioner Observations
- David Kinnaman of Barna reports qualitative contact with thousands of faith leaders who describe increased attendance and engagement among young people.
- Scott Rae cites this as on-the-ground evidence that may contrast with random-sample declines.
Harry Potter Reflects 1990s Liberal Optimism
- Louise Perry argues Harry Potter reflected and reinforced a 1990s liberal worldview of tolerance and optimism.
- She says Gen Z's harsher, economically anxious context makes that worldview less appealing today.
