ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief exploration of values that carriers both beliefs and intentions. Valuation is a fundamental human enterprise, emerging from what we experience, feel, learn and believe. The chapter explores and identifies the subtler, more nuanced relationships between less dominant beliefs and values in order to reveal individual differences in personal theology within an overarching cultural theology. There may be direct causal logic in how beliefs might shape ultimate values. Young adults strong emphasis on affiliative values did not waver or vary by worldview, theodicy, or life purpose. Trust in political and religious institutions has eroded, contributing to diminished self-transcendent values focused on spiritual and broader societal good. Values of world peace and equality have been supplanted by values of true friendship, mature love and happiness. Thus, it appears to be affiliative tribalism, and not hedonism, that has driven the value changes among young adults in America.
