Implicit Religion Highlights Religion in Childhood

Abstract

The major psychological theorists of the last half-century believe that there is little or no religion in childhood. Most psychologists of religion maintain that children’s religious and spiritual life is severely limited by their level of cognitive and emotional development. However, this common view does not take into account the growing body of literature on childhood spiritual experiences. This article uses the concept of implicit religion to call attention to the often-overlooked but significant presence of childhood religion. In particular, the psychological structures of implicit religion (identity, values, worldview and meaning) are used to locate where religion can be found in childhood.