By Vincent Lim
Public discourse in American society suggests that religion is losing its hold on people’s lives. Religious scholars and media reports underscore the point that Americans are now less religious than ever before, at least in terms of church membership and attendance.
This sobering news for religious leaders has left many anxious about the imminent exodus of followers and the growing challenges parents face in keeping their faith for future generations.
Vern Bengtson, a senior scientist at the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging at the USC School of Social Work, thinks faith leaders and parents should not despair.
“A lot of people become more religious as they age,” said Bengtson, a past president of The Gerontological Society of America.
He predicted baby boomers will take a prodigal path back to religion in later life much like previous generations of Americans.
“It’s too soon for a religious resurgence to manifest itself in the baby boomer generation, but we will probably see it in the next decade,” Bengtson said. “They will be involved in religious activities like their parents were as they enter into their 70s and 80s.”