Introduction
Since the start of enlightenment, scholars have assumed that the increase in education would decrease religion. In the late 19th century, the globe has witnessed the birth of papal infallibility, biblical inerrancy, and fundamentalism. College diversity involves exposure to different people, cultures and believes that may affect the upbringing traditions and faith. Although religion has grown and become more conservative despite massive augment of education, most of the campus students tend to change their faith. Universities contain varying teachings that provide a distinct worldview when compared to most of the religions (Yamane, 2016). Because of different philosophies and concepts taught in colleges, students shift away from their religious upbringing since the academic life introduces new philosophical and social questions.
Skepticism towards Super-Empirical Faith
According to sociologist Jonathan Hill of Calvin College, higher education amplifies skepticism towards the super-empirical faith, reduce adherence to exclusivism as well as an increased preference for institutionalized religion. Furthermore, college education leads to weakened religiosity for various reasons such as exposing scholars to the secular theories (Aune & Stevenson, 2017). Most of the college studies are based on the secular ethics which is the branch of philosophy where values are founded on human faculties such as empathy, moral intuition, reason, and logic but not supernatural guidance or revelation. Students are exposed to ethical systems that do not draw on supernatural beliefs such as freethinking, secularism, and humanism. As a result, most learners tend to question their religious upbringing hence diverting or changing their faith. Some scholars tend to become freethinkers which shift their attention to the previous religion. Moreover, the secular ethic systems vary within the cultural and societal norms of a particular period which make students have an unclear picture of their spirituality (Byrne, 2014).
Pluralistic World
Furthermore, universities force scholars into the pluralistic world since some of the learners have a radically different worldview and challenge the certainty of others' opinion. The pluralistic community is diverse where individuals believe all types of distinct things and tolerate everybody's beliefs even when they are not matching. Consequently, students are taught to embrace political philosophies such as socialism and capitalism (Byrne, 2014). Moreover, college education creates the pluralistic society that accepts several distinct sorts of individuals from different sexual orientations, races, religions, and cultures. Since scholars are exposed to varying beliefs and concepts, they raise several societal and philosophical questions which create doubts about their upbringing religion faiths. For instance, they learn to live with non-believers or people with a different faith which weakens the belief in the existence or originality of their religion (Aune & Stevenson, 2017).
Secularization of American Higher Education
Besides, the secularization of American higher education has taken place which tends to change the upbringing religion of college students. Under the strains of secular and pluralistic pressures, the religion traits of the academy have shifted. The bond between the founding churches and learning institutions has weakened (Yamane, 2016). Moreover, the course requirements in moral philosophy and religion have been abolished or lessened. Studies have revealed that universities have a liberalizing impact on scholars' attitudes and values. Furthermore, religious views have become less dogmatic and more individual. Also, the tolerance for other faiths has amplified due to college attendance. Consequently, the upbringing belief of several college students changes because new approaches to life are introduced during the studies (Yamane, 2016). Additionally, learners discover varying concepts of living and several means of creating harmony in the society rather than the religion.
Social and Peer Pressure
According to the last year research, college graduate possesses more secular attitudes when compared to people who did not attend campus. Additionally, several scholars have fragmented and involved in private religious faiths meaning they do not allow the religion to interact with learning since they hold the two in autonomous worlds (Byrne, 2014). Furthermore, the social and peer pressure motivate learners to liberalize their upbringing faith so that to differentiate themselves from those that did not attend college. University students have the freedom to choose what they feel is correct thus being vulnerable to peer pressure. For instance, most of the scholars get involved in drinking and other immoral behaviors so that they can be accepted by their friends and saying no would have excruciating consequences such as humiliation, bullying and teasing or rejection. Further, young people get involved in non-religious activities due to the desire of exploring the world and trying new things which end up losing the upbringing values of faith. Several teens have autonomy especially when their parents are out or when they are at school (Aune & Stevenson, 2017). In combination with the learned social and philosophical concepts, students start to ignore religious practices such as attending the mass, reading the bible and following the divine rules.
Conclusion
Conclusively, university learner tends to shift away from their upbringing religious faiths since the academic life induces new philosophical and social questions. The higher education system has become more secular and the religious aspects in campuses have changed. Consequently, students develop the secular attitudes which change their perception of the world and believe in supernatural powers. Moreover, scholars are introduced to the diverse environment where pluralist society is promoted. Therefore, college students are required to accept and tolerate other religions which create doubts regarding their previous faith. Also, university life and studies make scholars have a broad view of the world and introduction to new life concepts that are necessary for living. As a result, many students find themselves shifting from the upbringing beliefs so that to differentiate themselves from other persons in society.
References
Aune, K., " Stevenson, J. (2017). Religion and higher education in Europe and North America. New York: Routledge.
Byrne, C. (2014). Religion in secular education: what, in heaven’s name, are we teaching our children?
Boston: Brill.
Yamane, D. (2016). Handbook of Religion and Society. Cham: Springer International Publishing Imprint : Springer.
