Younger scientists were "substantially more likely than their older counterparts to believe in God." Why?

My opinion is that it is not age-related so much as related to the culture in which the individuals grew up. The older scientists grew up during a breakthrough in scientficial and technological breakthroughs. They were born right after evolution gained widespread acceptance. During their formative and early career it was thought that science held the answer to every question. However, time went on and it became clear that certain things that were expected to have rational explanations so far do not. Additionally, the more questions science answered the more questions arose. For the younger scientists, they did not have a cultural and career expectation for science to answer everything. In fact, many discoveries have argued against the randomness in the universe that was thought to be true.

The scientific community as well as cultural understandings are different between the two generations. It has nothing to do with how soon someone is going to die.

Perhaps God concepts and religious denominations available to younger scientists are less dogmatic and limiting than what the older scientists are likely to recall from their own upbringings. It be much more interesting to see of those who believe in God, what, if any, religion they belong to. I'm moved to wonder how many are naturalistic pantheists, rather than traditional theists or deists.

Because once you are older and you have more worldly experiences and knowledge about you and the world around you, you realize that God is an urban legend. So, the youth of today that participated in this study will surely stop believing once they get a brain.

Perhaps because of people like Dr. Henry M. Morris, a scientist, who brought Creationism back to the forefront, or perhaps because more young people have investigated the Bible.

The Genesis Flood is a book by the scientist mentioned.

American religiosity does seem to be a bigger noise these last 2 decades, than I remember it before then. I think its indicative of recent cultural pressure.

Possibly it may be to do with the politics of identity, in the past Americans defined themselves to the world as anti-communists (capitalist), when communism collapsed, the shift in emphasis seems to be anti-muslim (Christian).

People tend to mellow out as they get older. The sum of their life experiences leads them to see that the world is a complicated place and it's not always as simple as black-and-white. My grandmother was a deeply religious woman for much of her life and was always involved in church somehow, whether it was directing the choir or teaching Sunday school or planning some other event. When I was little, she would always insist that our family go to church with her at least semi-regularly (my parents aren't very religious). That was almost 20 years ago. She hasn't been to church in several years.

Younger scientists are hearing from a broader spectrum of articles and authors. There seems to be a general consensus of the theory of evolution being convoluted and unproven. Unfortunately scientists have tried to "prove" the theory---but if it were MORE than a theory it should be self evident. It seems every person wants Christians to PROVE their God exists but no one sets the standard as high for scientists who believe in evolution.

God Bless younger scientists.....

Because older scientists have been scientists for a longer time.

After long hours dedicated to their careers, they obviously become more skeptical.

That is indeed very interesting. Thanks for sharing that with us.

Perhaps because new discoveries are becoming available that seem to point to the possibility of God?

I have no idea.

With age comes wisdom.