BBLs & Bible Study: Exploring Gen-Z’s New Religious Norms

For generations, Black churches have been a hub for community and fellowship, providing hope when it seemed scarce. It was also the place where Grandma finally got to wear her new hat and two-piece pastel set as she stomped on evil spirits, putting even Meghan's knees to shame. However, over the past decades, churches have seen a massive decline in members, especially the younger generation.

Within the Black community, Pew Researchers found that "Black Millennials and Generation Z members are less likely to rely on prayer, less likely to have grown up in Black churches, and less likely to say religion is an important part of their lives. Fewer attend religious services, and those who do attend are less likely to go to a predominantly Black congregation."

While the data seems unpromising, social media has indicated that religious practices among young people haven't been too far removed from our Grandma's traditions but have been theologically challenged as they navigate through the "new world order," AKA social media. As social media reshapes how faith is practiced, some influencers have adopted unconventional methods to engage their audience, leading to trends like the "Christian BBL."

Social media is all about getting attention and eyeballs. Many influencers circulate the same content, so standing out often means going outside the box. Frustrated at the lack of views or just to ruffle some feathers, many revert to guerrilla marketing tactics like introducing new concepts such as Christian BBLs. And before you ask… no. It’s not a surgical process performed by God.

In classic Gen Z fashion, some would rather attend church online from the comfort of their screens and Lululemon sets, use Ca$hAPP instead of offering buckets, see pastors in tracksuits instead of clergy suits, and if God calls you to it... a Christian BBL.

The concept of the Christian BBL arose from the overwhelming rise of Christian influencers on a mission to share the word with the masses, with a twist. While it is encouraged and admirable, many question the true intention of Christian influencers as social media has become a business for many. Is this another income stream for Gen Z influencers, and can they be trusted to share Christian values as written?

Majesta Levy, host of Yeshua’s Queens Podcast, writes, “Christian influencers play a significant role in shaping perceptions, but they must be vigilant about staying true to their identity in Christ amid external pressures and opinions. While many Christian influencers seem to handle their role well, it’s a big responsibility. They need to know who they are in Christ and stay true to that despite the pressures and opinions around them.”

Social media influencer Sophiology, who coined the term "Christian BBL," explains that the procedure is the same as a regular Brazilian Butt Lift. The difference is that Sophi prayed and consulted God before deciding to undergo surgery, thus including Him in the process, as she does with everything else she prays for.

Sophiology writes, “As a beauty influencer myself who is Christian, I can keep God at the center of my life, which is my main priority. Most of us have secular careers and don’t intertwine business and religion. But I think with social media being a huge part of this generation, the intersection is necessary to keep the conversation going and existing in the algorithm.”

Like all controversial takes, the Christian BBL debate prompted many conversations surrounding Christian social media influencers and the effects of religious progressivism in the community. Many social media users expressed their disdain for the concept, and others embraced the idea that Christianity and the walk with God look different for different people, an idea often rejected by older and traditional church attendees.

In a traditional congregation, the relationship with God is linear. There are few margins of error, and if errors are made, you are met with judging Marie’s side-eye and referred to as a “lost cause.”

“It wasn’t until I got older and understood the prejudice within the church. Like becoming older was a sin,” writes Christian Gen-Z, Monica Smith. “The church experience felt more like a duty, steeped in tradition and strict rules. It often seemed more concerned with following regulations than fostering a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ,” Levy explains.

The gap between religious progressivism and traditional religious values is one of the reasons why there is a lack of youth in the church today, as reported by Gen Z. They feel judged, compared, and condemned for making mistakes, which ultimately leads them to turn away from the church altogether.

Gen Z may wear jeans and hoodies to church, listen to Christian rap, and create viral videos about Christianity, but religious values continue to govern their daily lives. What is different from their parents' church and their church is a feeling of belonging and acceptance. Gen Z is on a mission to foster a Christian community free of judgment, dismantling the belief that you must be perfect to be a Christian, a belief reinforced by influencers like Sophiology and millions of Christian influencers around the world.

Yes, it comes with some downsides, such as the intersection of pop culture within the church, which can be counterproductive to its mission to separate itself from the secular world. However, some of these integrations have proven to draw in a new generation who otherwise would not attend church. Does this mean that the Black church as we know it will cease to exist in a few decades as it trends towards religious progressivism? Gen Z’s answer?

Levy chimes in again, “Absolutely, I am confident that this generation will successfully pass down Christianity to our children, building on the foundation our parents laid for us. The focus on cultivating a deep relationship with Christ within this generation is palpable, marked by a unique anointing that sets us apart. As we navigate these times, it becomes increasingly vital to equip our kids for the challenges they may face, considering the evolving nature of the world. We possess the tools and insights to shape Christianity in a way that aligns with the needs of our modern era. Many souls are awakening to this profound connection with God, and His spirit is undeniably at work in this generation, preparing us to guide the generations to come.”

Between the over-policing of overzealous church Karens, being “church hurt,” and six-hour Sunday services, younger people are stepping away from the church their parents introduced them to and redefining their relationship with God in their way and sometimes, on social media… evidently so, however, judgment from other Christians has not yet come to pass.