Spirituality in Our 70s as members of the Class of 1969

ByMike Baum July 3, 2024July 10, 2024

Our 50^th Reunion Survey asked some probing questions about our approaches to spirituality, and the 55^th Reunion Survey sought to determine whether and how our beliefs have continued to evolve. This presentation examined the spiritual state of our class then and now, raised some questions about what and why it is, and presented some individual views and questions to ponder as we age. Yale’s new University Chaplain compared our class to Yale today, and provided insights as to the spiritual challenges she helps students deal with.

The data indicate that our class was rather skeptical in the ’60s and has grown more so since. The greatest falloff over the half-century was a sharp reduction in self-identified Christians. In general, we are much less religious than the country as a whole, and even other Baby Boomer college grads. The Yale classes of ’65 and ’70 show similar trends. As to the current state of the Class of ’69, since the 50th we’ve experienced some return to faith, though at least a third of us still regard religion as unimportant.

Presenters offered some arguments, based on science and history, in favor of seeking a higher power in our final years. The Chaplain presented data showing that today’s Yale undergrads are even more divided in their faith experiences than we were, though many of them are seeking answers in a wide variety of directions. Overall the presenters were gratified to find that the presentation met with a positive response, with most attendees at least welcoming the chance to consider these issues together.