Define religious identity. Discuss some of the reasons why religious identity is important to study even though religious identification continues to decline.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Religious identity is defined by one’s spiritual beliefs. Most researchers and writers agree that religion is complex, is powerful, and is a source of conflict. Although people may believe that their religious identities are part of their private lives and irrelevant outside. their families, this is not true. For example, in the aftermath of the 2001 September 11 attacks, Muslim identity has been viewed with suspicion. Religious identity also takes on public significance because it correlates with various political views and attitudes. However one responds to other people’s religious beliefs, most U.S. Americans feel a strong need to embrace and enact personal religious identities. In 2000, for example, 46 percent of U.S. Americans belonged to religious groups, and approximately 40 percent of U.S. Americans claimed to attend religious services regularly.