One in five Americans is not affiliated with a religion, according to a Pew Research Center study released Tuesday. And though many UF students worship regularly at Gainesville religious centers, college has a reputation as a prime time for twenty-somethings to question their beliefs.
About a third of adults under 30 reported no religious affiliation compared with 9 percent of those 65 and older, according to the study.
Some students’ acceptance or rejection of religion can be attributed to their individual understandings, said Robert L. Hatch, a UF professor and director of medical education.
“When you leave home, even if you were religious in that environment, you’re given a chance to figure it out on your own,” he said.
Students often break community bonds and gain autonomy when they go to college, Hatch said. Even if they are drawn to a religion, they may not feel obligated to attend services.
Spiritual people, Hatch said, may think about religious affiliation or the presence of a higher power but may not act on it. Those who are religious will go to a place of worship and practice their religion.
“Students will say, ‘I know that I believe in a higher power, but I don’t know that I want to go to church,’” he said.
Lisa Lee, a 20-year-old exploratory sophomore who describes herself as “very atheist,” said her beliefs changed when she moved to college.
“I used to be Christian, but I’m not anymore,” she said. “I went to church, I even prayed, but I never really believed it. There were just so many illogical things.”
But Jessica Orenstein, a 20-year-old sociology junior, hasn’t changed her views since coming to UF. She stopped practicing Judaism when she was 12.
At UF Hillel, leaders still see plenty of student involvement — their weekly Shabbat usually draws about 150 students.
The Pew statistics don’t surprise Melissa Stern, a 22-year-old engagement associate with UF Hillel.
“It’s the first time for students to live on their own and make their own calls with religion or other pursuits,” she said.
