More and more people are leaving organized religion, but you may be surprised to hear that it’s not only the youngsters who are abandoning the church. In this article, we’re going to examine 17 reasons why boomers are also putting the church behind them.
Evolution of Personal Beliefs
The modern shift towards progressive ideologies is often at odds with many of the church’s teachings. Older people may feel inclined to reject the church as they learn more about the importance of inclusivity. Of course, over time, some people just find another faith or philosophy that they feel suits them better.
Disagreements Over Social Issues
Differing views on topics such as sexuality and abortion are a big reason why some feel alienated from the church. This applies to people of all ages, including boomers, and results in many choosing to practice their faith away from organized religion.
Failed Church Experiences
Christianity Today states that in 2020, just 32% of boomers went to church weekly. This is a big drop from the 46% reported in 2009. One of the issues that has caused this is unmet expectations from church leadership, causing people to feel let down and abandoned as a result.
Generational Differences in Belief
The fact that the children and grandchildren of older generations are leaving the church in droves may also encourage boomers to leave. Conversely, younger people who still attend church may have different styles of worship, alienating their elders.
Shift Toward Digital and Home-Based Worship
Some organizations now offer online services, allowing people to participate from the comfort of their own homes. With this in mind, in our post-pandemic world, discomfort with worshipping in person may have driven church numbers down, especially for boomers who find it harder to get around.
Declining Trust in Institutional Religion
Scandals involving the church over the years have greatly diminished boomers’ trust in the institution, especially as a source of moral guidance in their lives. Another factor causing people to leave is the idea that supporting the church is seen as more important than a person’s own personal faith.
Political Polarization
According to Truth Over Tribe, many people, boomers included, are leaving the church for different Christian communities that align with their political beliefs. Some are uncomfortable with the political alignment their church has taken, preferring a strictly spiritual environment to one that chooses a side in political debates.
Changes in Life Circumstances
Relocation can be an issue, as many older people have formed a strong attachment to their church community, which makes finding a new place of worship challenging. Health issues, which are more likely to affect people as they grow older, are also a factor. Reduced mobility can affect whether boomers can attend church or not.
Desire for Community Impact
A common perception among people is that the church doesn’t do enough to support the local community—either through a lack of charity work or their inability to reach out to the most vulnerable people in the community. Perhaps this is the reason why boomers are leaving!
Lack of Fulfillment
“The mission of the church is to share the gift Jesus is offering with the world, extending the incredible hospitality he shows us to others,” as per Faithward. However, as they go through life, some boomers eventually find that their spiritual needs are not fulfilled by traditional church services.
Desire for Autonomy in Worship
Many older people, who have grown tired of the church over time, find the prescribed forms of worship to be restricting. Therefore, in an attempt to attain more autonomy in how they practice their religion, people often make the choice to leave.
Impact of Technology
The increased exposure to various viewpoints and religious ideas online has caused a shift away from the church in its traditional form. Various online resources also allow older people, who are perhaps less mobile, to practice their faith from home instead of going to church in person.
Financial Disagreements
Disagreements with how the church spends its money are a serious issue for many people. As a result, some boomers prefer to donate directly to a charitable cause, as they don’t trust official church channels. This lack of trust may be the reason why boomers represent the greatest loss in church attendance, according to ChurchTrac.
Seeking Simplicity
The demand for in-person appearances can be too much for a lot of people. This pushes many, including boomers, to stop going to church and substitute it for more minimal practices, such as daily prayer. Life can get busy after all!
Need for Intellectual Engagement
For those who enjoy a good argument, the church may not be the right place. Many boomers wish for more debate and discussions; however, these can challenge Christian ideas and aren’t generally allowed. The fact that this demand is not met in many churches can push people to leave.
Rejection of Exclusivity
Once again, the church is not the place for people who like to challenge the status quo. The Christian church’s demand of worshiping solely under them can be restrictive to older people who have a variety of connections with different faiths—such as friends and in-laws.
Loss of Community Connection
The generational divide between worshippers of different ages can drive people away from going to church entirely. This is due to feelings of alienation, as older people can find it hard to fit in with younger attendees.
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