Faith Journeys: Why Some Stay and Others Drift Away

Religion plays a big role in many people's lives. But not everyone sticks with the faith they grew up with. A recent study looked into why some Americans keep their childhood religion while others change or leave it behind. The study found that how people felt about their religion as kids matters a lot. Those who had good experiences were more likely to stay. On the other hand, those who had bad experiences often left their faith or stopped believing altogether. Different religions have different rates of people staying. For example, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews are more likely to keep their childhood faith compared to Protestants, Catholics, and Latter-day Saints. This could be because of strong community ties or cultural reasons. Most people who switch religions do so before they turn 30. Many of these changes happen during the teenage years. Those who leave religion often say they stopped believing the teachings or just drifted away over time.For those who stay, the main reasons are beliefs, spiritual fulfillment, and finding meaning in life. But not many stay because of social or political teachings. Interestingly, Jews are more likely to stay for community and traditions rather than teachings. On the flip side, those who leave often say they don't need religion to be moral or spiritual. Many also question religious teachings and don't trust religious organizations or leaders. About 30% of Americans say they have no religion. This number has stayed the same since 2020. Some people who grew up without religion now identify with a faith, often for similar reasons as those who stay religious. The study also looked at how parents raise their kids religiously. Many parents say their kids pray at night, say grace at meals, read religious stories, and attend services at least monthly. Protestant parents are more likely to have kids who attend services regularly. Mothers are more likely than fathers to take the lead in teaching kids about religion. This shows that family plays a big role in shaping a person's religious beliefs.