Why do people get religious when they get old?

My dad who I know as never being religious before is now embarking on a pilgrimmage to Mecca(in Saudi, yes Muslims). He never prayed or fasted or did anything remotely religious 10 years ago, now he's shaved his head and is going to be on a bus for 2 days and goto Mecca and then do some religious random stuff. This is not Hajj, its called Umraa'h. I see it happen to other people too.
Why do people get religious when they get older?

Maybe Sklansky will be a televangelist in 10 years?

[mmbt0ne]

This is an interesting topic, but try The Trainwreck.

[shant]

Boredom.

Whats The Trainwreck?

[mmbt0ne]

SMP (The Trainwreck)

[AngryCola]

[ QUOTE ]
Whats The Trainwreck?

[/ QUOTE ]

Trainwreck

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
This is an interesting topic, but try The Trainwreck.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, except they're just going to tell you that it's stupid to be religious and maybe that your dad is growing senile.

[A_C_Slater]

Because they never stopped and thought that one day they were going to have to die. Now that he is old he's going to have to admit it. So he's turning to the security of religion when faced with the terrible prospect of having to face the unknowable.

He still knows, just as we all do, that no matter how much you want there to be a heaven or even an afterlife of any kind, there is no way to know what happens after death.

He's just scared.

[[censored]]

Death is near combined with a realization of what is and is not important in life.

[Luzion]

Its probably because they are more likely to realize their own mortality when they get older, and get more spirtual.

Also, what the hell is up with your avatar/icon.