A gender gap has long persisted in religious identity. Historically, data has widely, and with remarkable consistency, shown women being more religious than men. But that appears to be changing when it comes to Gen Z.
hopefully each successive generation continues to drop religion altogether.
Religion is a fundamental component in the psyche of many. They will find a substitute for traditional religions, be it through politics, organizational culture, or some other collection of superstitions.
No, community is a fundamental need. Being in an ingroup with people will suffice, and for many, a church is great for that. But you can fill that in many many ways like you said.
Religion is different from community. Community fills a social need for interaction and survival and is present in many intelligent animals. Religion fills an existential need to answer questions we can’t answer. Most humans are inherently uncomfortable with nihilism because it undermines our natural instincts. We think the world must have some inherent fundamental meaning and order to it that we can follow and which can rationalize calamity. That is where religion comes in, it provides answers and structure where nothing else can. That religion could be to a deity, to a great leader, or some philosophical framework, it doesn’t matter. It just needs to fill the role of a higher authority that a person can wrap themselves around for support.
It’s politics. In the US, you can predict which denomination some will be (or won’t be) by knowing who they voted for. Religion use to come first for many people and Democrats could worship with Republicans and vice versa. No longer. With the notable exception of the Catholic Church, Sundays are politically segregated.
Behind the data: more women are leaving religion as rightwing politics is activating religion to appeal to men who want a return to the status quo ante of female subservience.
