Why Baby Boomers Turned from Religion: Shaping Belief and Belonging, 1945-2021

The Baby Boomers, a generation of post-WWII babies who came of age in the 1960s, were the last to have been routinely baptised and taken regularly to mainstream, Anglican churches. This study is the first to offer a sociological account of the sudden transition from religious parents to non-religious children and grandchildren, focusing exclusively on this generation of ex-Anglican Boomers. They discuss how they continue to dis-believe in God yet have an easy relationship with ghosts, and how they did not fall into an immoral self-centred abyss. They also reveal the values, practices, and beliefs they transmitted to the future generations, helping shape the non-religious identities of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Baby Boomers, a generation born after World War II in the 1960s, have faced a range of negative perceptions and misunderstandings. Often mocked, vilified, and blamed, they are often seen as a group that strayed away from traditional values and religious beliefs. However, this study aims to shed light on a different perspective, focusing on the Baby Boomers who lived in the UK and Canada and were the last generation to have been routinely baptised and attend mainstream Anglican churches. Through in-depth interviews, this research seeks to provide a sociological account of the sudden transition from religious parents to non-religious children and grandchildren within this generation.

The Baby Boomers featured in this study are now in their 60s and 70s, and they offer valuable insights into their lives and the world they helped create. They discuss their dis-belief in God but their ease in interacting with ghosts, challenging the notion that they fell into an immoral self-centred abyss. Instead, they forged their own practices and sites of meaning, morality, community, and transcendence, creating a unique perspective on religion and spirituality.

Furthermore, the Baby Boomers reveal the values, practices, and beliefs they transmitted to future generations, shaping the non-religious identities of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. They discuss the impact of their upbringing on their attitudes towards religion, the importance of personal experiences and beliefs, and the challenges they faced in navigating a society.

This study provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Baby Boomers and their role in shaping the religious landscape of modern society. By challenging the negative stereotypes and providing a more nuanced perspective, it sheds light on the complex and diverse experiences of this generation and their impact on the future.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 224 x 145 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192866684