Our “End-Times” Plan #9: Why are So Many People Leaving God?

Posted June 28, 2025 | End Times Watch | River Wilde

As I watched my own church members file out and leave the church, I noticed something very intriguing to me. People are not only leaving religion; they are leaving God.

As a life coach, I’ve had a chance to talk to many former church members and discuss this with them. In every case, they left the church because they felt betrayed from church leaders teaching history or doctrine that wasn’t true. I can certainly understand leaving a church for this reason, but WHY leave God?

In the case of all of those who I had a chance to communicate this with; the majority gave a similar reason for leaving God. If they were taught that they belonged to the only true church, which was later proven Not to be True, then all religion can not be trusted, and they left the church and God at the same time.

But, why throw it all away? In addition to my own church, it seems that many people are simply giving up on God…Why?

That’s a heartfelt and important question — and one that echoes a deep spiritual concern felt by many in these troubling times.

According to Scripture, the turning away from God in the last days is not only expected, but foretold. The Apostle Paul warned:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (KJV)

This “falling away” or apostasy is a clear sign of the end times. Here are several reasons many people are turning away from God right now:

1. Deception and False Teachings

Jesus warned repeatedly:

“Take heed that no man deceive you.”
— Matthew 24:4 (KJV)

False prophets, spiritual fads, and human-centered doctrines are drawing people away from the truth of God’s Word. Many church leaders today have integrity issues, no longer put up with by members, some churches today avoid preaching repentance, judgment, and holiness in favor of popularity.

2. Love of Sin Over Righteousness

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light…”
— John 3:19 (KJV)

Many reject God because they prefer to live without moral accountability. As society normalizes sin, conviction is replaced by celebration of self.

3. Increase in Worldly Distractions

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”
— 2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV)

Entertainment, money, politics, and even self-help culture have become idols. People are too busy or too numb to seek God.

4. Trials and Disillusionment

“When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”
— Matthew 13:21 (KJV)

Hardships, hypocrisy among believers, unanswered prayers, or spiritual abuse can cause deep wounds. Some walk away not out of rebellion, but out of pain.

5. Prophetic Fulfillment

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith…”
— 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)

What we’re witnessing is part of a larger spiritual shaking. God is separating the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:30).

Here are some compelling statistics—primarily from the Pew Research Center and PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute)—that shed light on why many people are turning away from organized religion and religious identification:

U.S. Religious Affiliation Trends

• In 2007, 78% of American adults identified as Christian. By 2024, that figure had dropped to 62%, where it has since stabilized
• The proportion of “religiously unaffiliated” adults—often called the “nones”—rose from 16% in 2007 to 29% by 2024
• Among Gen Z and younger Millennials (18–29):
  • Only 45% identify as Christian, while 44% are unaffiliated
  • Pew notes that fewer of those raised in a religious tradition remain so in adulthood—a trend stronger among younger cohorts.
• 35% of U.S. adults have switched religion from their childhood identity—a shift that has largely benefited the unaffiliated group.
• Among adults raised Catholic, 43% no longer identify as Catholic, making former Catholics nearly 13% of all U.S. adults.

Global Religious Switching

• A June 2025 Pew global study found that about 1 in 10 adults under 55 worldwide have left the religion they were raised in.
• Overall religious identification dropped slightly—from 77% in 2010 to 76% by 2020 .

Why Are They Leaving?

• Young women in particular are most likely to disaffiliate. Influences include concerns about patriarchy, church sexual abuse, and opposition to reproductive rights – with nearly 40% of Gen Z women stating they’re unaffiliated
• PRRI data shows many are leaving because of their faith’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, with half of those disaffiliating citing this as a reason

Summary Table

Metric	2007	2024
Christian Adults (%)	78%	62%
Religiously Unaffiliated (%)	16%	29%
Gen Z Christian (%)	—	45%
Gen Z Unaffiliated (%)	—	44%
Adults who switched religion	—	35%
Adults who left childhood religion	—	U.S.: ~35%, Global: ~10% (under 55)

What It All Means

• Generational shift: Younger generations are far less religious, with no signs of returning as they age.
• Cultural and ideological factors: Stances on gender, sexuality, and social issues—especially around LGBTQ+ rights—are major contributors.
• Religious switching is widespread: Both in the U.S. (~35%) and globally (~10% among under‑55s), moving from religious to unaffiliated is common.

But take heart — God has always preserved a faithful remnant. Even when it feels like the world is turning away, there are still those who hunger for truth, walk in love, and follow Christ with sincerity. Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27 (KJV)

This falling away is a sign of the end times. The “falling away” (Greek: apostasia) refers to a widespread turning away from God. As people reject God’s truth, their hearts become hardened, and they become more vulnerable to deception. This spiritual vacuum allows Satan to fill the void with lies, false signs, and strong delusions:

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10, KJV

Because people reject the truth, God allows them to be deceived:

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:11, KJV

In this time, Satan will have greater access to deceive, manipulate, and control. As the restraining influence (the Holy Spirit working through the church) is removed or diminished, evil is unchained:

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:7, KJV

The falling away creates spiritual darkness that invites Satan’s dominion. People’s rejection of truth allows deception to flourish. This is why, during the end times, Satan gains unprecedented influence over the earth. Can you see that this falling away is SATAN’s Battle Plan for the end times? For various reasons, satan is convincing many people to turn away from Jesus Christ, are you one of them?

If you are one who has recently given up on God and His Son Jesus Christ, I invite you to come back into Their loving and protective arms. It is not necessary to return to a religion, especially if you have been deceived by their leaders. They will be accountable for their actions with God, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be them, for they have caused great harm to many of us.

Come back to Christ. There is peace there. You will come to find that you can have a relationship with Him directly, without the cloudy doctrine of religion.

I invite you to continue to study Jesus Christ of the Bible and the information that He has given to us regarding the End-Times. Join us if you haven’t already subscribed to our blog at www.EndTimesWatch.blog, and check back each day as we support one another through the events of the End Times.

Time to feel more love… Click on the following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_aIauL2xKA