Religion among Young People in Australia, Thailand and the United States

Abstract

In terms of religious identification, young people in Australia, Thailand and the United States are quite different. This is evident in data from Census and surveys in relation to religious identity, practices and beliefs. Australia is the least religious of the three countries, with significantly higher identity and practice in Thailand and higher again in the United States. However, in all three countries, confidence in the authority of religious institutions is weak and religion has become more of a personal resource which young people call on from time to time as they see the need. There are, however, major caveats to this picture. In all three countries, there are minority groups for whom religion is a source of their identity and a vital component of life.