Age & Religious Beliefs

• How does the link between age and belief differ among religions?

  It varies significantly between different religions
• What is often said about older people and religion?

  They are more religious
• Why is the view that older people are more religious considered ethnocentric?

  It mainly applies to Christianity in the UK
• What percentage of Christians were over 65 according to the 2011 UK census?

  22%
• What percentage of Muslims were under 50 according to the 2011 UK census?

  88%
• What does the 2011 UK census reveal about the age profile of Christianity and Islam?

  Christianity has an aging population, Islam is younger
• What proportion of people with no religious belief were under 25 in the 2011 census?

  Over a third
• What trend did Brierley (2005) find regarding the average age of churchgoers?

  It increased from 37 to 49 between 1979 and 2005
• What are the reasons older people are often more religious?

  • Aware of their mortality
  • Socialized to be religious in youth
  • Religious organizations provide social support
• What factors contribute to younger people being less religious?

  • Traditional institutions seen as boring
  • Competition from secular sources of inspiration
  • Decline in religious education and Sunday Schools
• What did Bruce predict about Sunday Schools?

  They might die out by 2016
• What age group had the lowest church attendance according to Brierley (2005)?

  15-19 years old
• Why might young children attend church frequently?

  They may have little choice due to family
• What is a reason for the peak in church attendance not being in the oldest age group?

  Health or mobility issues affect attendance
• How do sects appeal to young adults?

  • Offer companionship and community
  • Align with radical or counter-culture ideas
  • Provide a sense of belonging
• What issue might the census data on "no religion" and Christianity understate?

  Young people opting for "comedy" religions
• What is a potential issue with the data for Muslims in the census?

  It may not reflect private beliefs accurately
• How might some people identify as Christian without belief?

  As a label of ethnicity rather than faith
• What assumption might exist in Muslim families regarding religious beliefs?

  Assumptions about family members' beliefs