In the context of the American population, discuss how age impacts the religious beliefs of people.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. Generally, Americans age 65 and older are more likely than younger people to describe themselves as religious, to say that religion is very important in their lives, and to attend services at least weekly. These age-related differences may reflect several factors: Older Americans grew up decades ago when church attendance was higher, they seek spiritual comfort as elderly friends and relatives die, they want to lessen a sense of isolation or loneliness, and they are preparing for death. Among adults under age 33, 36 percent are "nones," compared with just 11 percent who are 72 and older. Young adults are also much more likely to be unaffiliated than earlier generations were at a similar stage in their lives. Perhaps millennials are less trusting of major institutions such as religion, the economy, and government (Masci, 2016).