Age and Religion

• Despite increasing secularisation in society, age has an impact on religious belief

• The elderly in UK are more likely to define themselves by religion -
  33% over 75s defined themselves as Anglican in 2018

• In comparison, only 1% of those aged 18-24 defined themselves in the same way

Reasons for higher levels of religiosity:

• Awareness of own mortality as growing older

• Greater socialisation into religious practices in previous generations

• Community aspects of religious membership keep elderly people engaged in religious practice

Less engagement in young people:

• Crocket and Voas (2005) argued young people are less engaged in religion due to greater competition in the spiritual marketplace

• Less likely to be socialised into religious norms and values by their parent's generation

• Lynch (2008) suggested what is sacred may be secular

Decline in religious education:

• Bruce (2000) sees a decline in education through the church as a reason for the decline in youth attendance

• A decline in Sunday schools over the past 50 years

• More secular schools and multiculturalism in schools will reduce socialisation into particular religious
  values

Evaluations:

• As with many aspects of religious practice, youth decline based on Western Europe

• The US holds higher levels of Christian church membership and membership of cults, sects and denominations

• Increases in NRMs and NAMs fuelled by younger people's interest in alternatives to traditional organisations