A comparative analysis of the findings of three studies involving widely varying ethnic groupings of rural youth was conducted in order to evolve a speculative frame of propositions about religion as a variable attribute of the life situation of rural youth, and to speculate about the possible significance of patterned variability in religious orientation and organization as an attribute of rural communities relative to its impact on the youth's self-defined interests and values. Representing New Mexico Spanish Americans, Ohio Mennonite-Amish, and Texas Mexican Americans, Blacks, and Anglos, and at least three cultural regions of the U.S. (South, Northeast, and Southwest), the studies did not focus on religious phenomena per se; however, each involved, as a part of other primary objectives, recording of observations on youth's religious behavior and orientations. All variable aspects of religion as it related to rural youth's orientations, behavior, and social contexts and which were included in any of the three studies were listed. Then a brief notational conclusion about what was found in reference to each study was given. It was concluded that religion will vary in its significance for the individuals included. At the same time, to the extent that religion varies as a social institution in the sociocultural context of a locality or a social area (consisting of similar local communities), it can have a patterned variability in significance for and impact on youth as a whole. (NQ)