section_path: Religiosity
section_name: Religiosity
paragraph_text: Religiosity
  
  Generally speaking, old people have always been more religious than young people. At the same time, wide cultural variations exist.
  
  In the United States, 90% of old age Hispanics view themselves as very, quite, or somewhat religious. The Pew Research Center's study of black and white old people found that 62% of those in ages 65–74 and 70% in ages 75+ asserted that religion was "very important" to them. For all 65+ people, more women (76%) than men (53%) and more blacks (87%) than whites (63%) consider religion "very important" to them. This compares to 54% in the 30–49 age range.
  
  In a British 20-year longitudinal study, less than half of the old people surveyed said that religion was "very important" to them, and a quarter said they had become less religious in old age. The late-life rise in religiosity is stronger in Japan than in the United States, but in the Netherlands it is minimal.
  
  In the practice of religion, a study of 60+ people found that 25% read the Bible every day and over 40% watch religious television. Pew Research found that in the age 65+ range, 75% of whites and 87% of blacks pray daily. When comparing religiosity, the individual practice may be a more accurate measure than participation in organized religion. With organized religion, participation may often be hindered due to transportation or health problems.