A few days ago a Huffington Post article reported on a recent study “based on data collected as part of the General Social Survey by researchers at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago” that found older people are more religious. The pattern of higher rates of belief in God among older respondents was consistent throughout the world (in the 30 countries considered by this research).
So What?
While some commonly held views about religion are not substantiated by sound sociological research, the understanding that as people age the percentage who express belief in God increases is validated by recent scholarship.
- What are the implications of this trans-cultural correlation for your local congregation?
- Have you found higher rates of belief in God among your older family and friends?
- Do you think this correlation will continue to occur 30 years from now? Why or why not?