What's Shaping Emerging Adults Religious Beliefs?

Summary: Dr. Christian Smith, a professor of sociology at the University of Notre Dame will present his findings from interviews with thousands of young people about their religious beliefs and spiritual lives at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009 in Calvin's Gezon Auditorium.

Dr. Christian Smith will give a presentation titled: "Understanding the Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults in the U.S." at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009 in Calvin's Gezon Auditorium. His presentation is based on interviews with thousands of young people, which were gathered over a five-year period.

Smith's research tries to answer a number of questions, including: How important is religion for young people in America today? What are the major influences on their developing spiritual lives? How do their religious beliefs and practices change as young people enter into adulthood? How does the cultural world of today's emerging adults shape their religious outlooks?

Smith is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society and principal investigator of the National Study of Youth and Religion. Smith is also the author, co-author or editor of a number of books, including the newly-released "Souls in Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults" and "Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don't Give Away More Money."

For more information, contact Jonathan Hill at 616-526-7259.

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Received on Tue Oct 6 15:09:49 2009