Does College Kill Religion?

1. Does College Kill Religion?

2. No! College does NOT kill religion!College has little effect on religious beliefs, and the effects it does have are generally beneficial to religion and society

3. NO! COLLEGE DOES NOT KILL RELIGION. INSTEAD, COLLEGE GRADUATES: • Tend to attend church services more often than non-graduates • Are likely to become more tolerant of other religions, lifestyles, and cultures • Are less likely to believe that their religion is the only correct one • May even pray and read the Bible more often than non-graduates.

4. But aren’t most scientists atheists? And aren’t most Europeans, who are mostly college educated, non-religious?

5. It does appear that only 20% of Europe’s population claims religious beliefs, and that, yes, the population of Europe, especially Western and Northern Europe, are generally highly educated • It is generally assumed, and may be true, that most scientists are non-religious, but not necessarily atheist.

6. However, the United States, one of the most highly educated populations in the world, is also one of the most religious, with 60% of it’s citizens claiming religious belief • There is no concrete evidence confirming that most scientists are non-religious. In fact, college students in science majors were no more likely to be non-religious than any other major.

7. College benefits religion and society • It tends to enable students to become more tolerant of others and less exclusive of their own religion • It can help curb religious extremism, intolerance, and violence • Graduates generally become more active in organized religion