More people become religious as they get older (10 points to best answer)?

Question

What do you think the reasoning is as to why people become religious as they get older?

Answer 1

as they get closer to death they need to believe theres something after they die...

Answer 2

I don't know about "religious" but perhaps for some just more thoughtful. I think a lot of religious nonsense is undertaken due to the fear of being alone in the universe. At life's later stages we are not usually all caught up with caring for kids and earning a living. Too, we are a lot closer to death than young folks consider themselves to be. So we tend to concentrate more on things of possibly eternal relevance rather than sweating the small stuff. Having said that, "religiosity" varies widely from person to person and culture to culture. Some of us start and end life seeking the church's assurance that a "Father God" will be there to rescue us. Others like me outgrow looking to an outside source for assurance, and in the end determine to leave more good behind then bad.

Answer 3

because they no longer feel invincible - a sense of mortality hits them and they begin to seek regarding where they might wind up after death. Very few people, except those that are stone set on not having to be accountable in any way for their actions in life, want to think that we live and die and become nothing more than worm food. Also, when we are young, we think we know everything, we see things and are so sure we are right in our perceptions and understanding of things- we don't perceive our tastes changing much and we don't do a lot of imagining the future beyond our own goals and plans for our lives. As we get older and begin to really experience life, trials and tribulations, the unexpected, etc. we gain more knowledge and wisdom, we begin to see the world in a new light and realize that we don't know everything and we cannot account for everything. We begin to recognize the wisdom and understand the teachings of our parents because we begin to see and experience what we could not when we were younger and rebellious. As we lay down our rebellion, we begin to understand authorit, responsibility and accountability. Basically- we grow up and begin to realize ultimately there is a greater power we are accountable to and we seek to understand it- therefore, by many people's definitions, we get religious :)

Answer 4

Older people have often learned how to be quiet and wait for answers. They have met more people and seen more people die, and their souls have matured in wondering and searching for answers while developing patience. Patience and religious practices are often related, as you may not get answers right away, but if you are willing to step back and serve others, often answers will come later on. They are also usually better able to see the consequences of actions which are related to disobeying God's commandments, and the benefits of obeying them, whether they have learned on their own or just watching others around them.

Answer 5

Because it's human nature to desire to continue on. Death is a finality that we have no answers for. When you are a teenager, the finality of a dating breakup seems like the end of the world, but at 40, it's more of a shoulder shrug because you know that life goes on, it's not the end.
But Death on the other hand... IS the end. Religion is the last ditch effort to continue existence. People are willing to accept even a noncorporeal existence before accepting the idea that everything comes to a screeching halt and ends.
Whether its ghosts, or angels, humans want there to be something to continue on.

Answer 6

When we age, we are closer to death (like death-row) many people become more desperate and/or pathetic and so the mind starts to grasp at straws and hope, in the hope they may survive a bit longer. God is a mental way of achieving that.

The more pathetic and desperate a persons life, the more likely they are to believe in a god. People with otherwise empty lives, are the strongest believers. It gives them false hope that there’s a higher meaning to their sad and pathetic lives.

People in jail suddenly seem to find God. Quite a few violent criminals on death-row seem to suddenly find God (surprise, surprise) so going to jail seems to be a good way to become a religious believer. No wonder so many religious people are violent.

Answer 7

I did.
Maybe because the end of this life is closer than when we were kids.

But after studying more now, I do regret the things
I did when I was younger.
I wish I knew then what I know now.
I really do.

Answer 8

Actually Barna research show that after age 17, the chances of someone becoming a Christian drops drastically

Answer 9

true i agree with u coz as the get old they start thinking that they might die soon so the pray allot so they can wash away there sins and die in peace and go to heaven

Answer 10

They feel responsibility, they want a way to protect their kids, and do so through religion to set morals and have 'soul insurance' if they die you know what I mean?

Answer 11

They don't have as much time to get right with the big man upstairs