Good without God: Finally, sorting fact from fiction on faith and youth
This week, we’ve delved into religion and America’s youth. Our foray reveals conflicting evidence about what they believe and what they do.
Some say America’s teenagers and young adults hold unflattering opinions of Christianity today. Disaffected with organized religion, they are leaving religious doctrine and organizations behind. They are good without God. (Scroll down to read earlier entries in this series.)
Others find that America’s youth are engaged in religion, and enjoy benefits from their involvement. They are good with God.
I wonder if both sides are right—in an odd sort of way. Rebellion is a normal and predictable life stage as childhood is left behind and teens and young adults go out on their own. Maybe all we are seeing is the usual and normal progression—no different from what older people today went through in their formative years.
Here are some data to support my thesis, drawn from an unscientific sample of committed churchgoers who are now in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. All said that they stopped going to church once they were old enough to make independent decisions. A prominent pastor is among this group, saying that he stopped going to church even when he decided to go to seminary.
I, too, number among this group. I grew up in an involved religious family, but as soon as I could make decisions on my own, I “quit.” I just stopped going. Like many, however, I returned to the church once I was married, had a family, and faced the challenge of teaching my child about a moral life—and reminding myself in the process.
Does this ring true for you? Did you have a similar experience?
The week's not over! Please, chime in with your thoughts, ideas, and experiences!
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I do think that the rapid increase in text messaging and
"crackberryitis" is cause for concern in robbing us of some of our most basic human interactions. A smile from one to another is replaced with a a face looking down and getting that smile in a different way :) The actual exchange of a real human smile person to person is something that stirs our emotions and can uplift an entire day. This :) can't do that. When I see my 13 year old daughter drop everything she is doing upon hearing the buzz of an incoming text, I think to myself, something is wrong here. Why must she be incessantly enslaved to immediatetly answer with an instant reply each and every time, within seconds of receving the text. I do think a whole range of basic yet important day to day social interactions are at risk when we become slaves to these things. I worry that a whole new generation of A.D.D. behavior is imminent. Focus, concentration and deep thinking are are at risk when there are continual interruptions from the buzz of the iphone or blackberry. I think we need to set these things aside once in a while and "just be". Set yours aside for a day and see if you go through withdrawal when you do? When you reach for the side of your belt and notice it isn't there and suddenly feel a small pang of anxiety, then you'll know!
We have an abundance of holiday lights in Peachtree City, GA.
Our economy has not been hurt as badly as the Detroit area, that is probably as good of an indicator as any.
Out in the NE I-85 corridor from Atlanta, there are fewer lights than in past years. In our subdivision, virtually all the houses had lights, now it is 1/3rd, with 1/2 of that being houses in foreclosure or up for sale by the bank or relo company.
White collar unemployment in Atlanta is 2nd only to Detroit. In-laws work at food pantry out here, and more than twice as many people are coming in. Several area churches are sponsoring search-and-pray for jobs seminars for all the laid-off people in the area.
The commercial loan sector collapse is looming. The Hancock Tower in Boston is in foreclosure. Many commercial loans roll over all the time, but now the buildings that are mortgaged aren't worth what the loan amount is. This could shake the system even more. And then there are the environmental people and people who just want to save, that aren't doing things that use electricity. Maybe even less lights next year than this year.
Yes, I noticed there are fewer lights this year. We have our usual out. Last year I had replaced several strings with LED lights, which use very little energy compared to the regular lights.
Wow, based on all the others' comments, I guess the top story of 2010 will be that Obama was elected two years prior...
You see, he was ELECTED in 2008. That would have been the top story of 2008. What brings it into 2009? The fact that a broke nation gave him, like any other president, a party at taxpayer's expense?
2020: top story, Barack Obama elected President in 2008, inaugurated in 2009. Followed FDR precent and is still running and being re-elected.
Move on, people. It was a story LAST YEAR.
I would offer that there was a tie for the top ethics/values issue of 2009 between the election of Barack Obama (our brighter side) and the ongoing, undeclared wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (our darker side).
As Americans, we seemed to put thoughtful ethical reflection into the election of Barack Obama, showing that we valued his idealism, brilliant mind, respect of opposing views, compassion, and nuanced acceptance of diversity.
On the other hand, most Americans are going about our daily lives as though our country was not at war, much less two wars in which tens of thousands of civilians (probably hundreds of thousands in Iraq), have been killed. Though law and vital American tradition would dictate that Congress must delare each war we enter, these 21st Century un-declared wars rage on far longer that the wars of the 20th Century.
Just wars? Moral wars? Very few Americans seem to be discussing these questions in indepth and ongoing ways. Even in the religious community.
In a country which has experienced (and continues to experience) such a deep racial divide, the election of our first African-American president is surely hopeful news. I wish it were not the case that we have an issue of equal magnitude that shows how far we have yet to evolve.
Yes, the election of the first African American President in U.S. history was an event of large proportions. Makes you begin to think that God is really getting ready to do something BIG!
"For with God, nothing shall be impossible." ---Luke 1:37
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
I, too, agree that the inauguration of President Obama was the number one value choice of the last year. As the founding pastor of an integrated church that 40 years later is even more integrated--nearly 50-50--I delight that our Nation's voters chose hope over fear!
Back to the question I have to agree with from Gail Vincent in Phoenix AZ (eighth commenter).
CA budget & immigration policies a mess too. Her top ten stories for the year listed better what I would have written.
Thanks Gail for being organized and literate.
By all means, Obama's being elected President is tops on my list. I think we saw an energy and excitement in our country that had been missing for eight years. Has the glow begun to fade? Yes, for some of us. I know he couldn't turn the mess he was left with around immediately, but we are all waiting.
When I was in Washington this past July, there were a number of us that lobbied for money for ovarian cancer research etc. We were told by those in charge of the conference that this (July) was a great time to be asking for more funds, because the Congress was about to pass the health care reform bill. As of today (Dec. 21), unless I missed the latest news--health care reform hasn't happened, and when it does--will any of us understand what it is all about?
The economy is a big concern for all of us--everyday we hear of more people losing their jobs--and I am not speaking of stories about strangers--these are people and their children that we know very well. My own congregation has stepped up to the plate to help those in need. However, not all congregations have that ability.
Global warming--I don't want to leave my grandchildren a dirty world, but have I stopped using plastic and paper products? No. Have my friends stopped? No.
I don't agree that Obama was elected to the presidency based on America supposedly revealing a "better nature" in accepting a black man as our leader. He was simply the candidate of the democrats, so they were going to vote for him, and then he picked up most of the votes of the independents and a lot of the votes of the republicans, who were all mad at President Bush for betraying their conservative values. We need to realize that we don't do things in govt. and politics based on ideals; we are, most of the time, acting politically. Idealistic groups constantly betray their own ideals in order to march to the platform of their preferred party. Probably in the next election, the horrified independents will go back to the lesser evil-the conservatives (republicans), who at least won't sell this country down the river of one-world government and socialism as this current administration is doing. Thanks for listening to my opinion
No one has mentioned the shootings at Fort Hood. We don't know a lot about that yet, or we don't know as much as we should know to tell what really happened, but I can't get that out of my memories from 2009.
And I think on a related issue that we're not taking good enough care of our men and women who are serving us and who have served us in the past. There were stories this year about how we have not kept our promises to them. This is in my thoughts at this time as I look from one year to the next.
First a question: are you asking us to post a comment on what we believe are stories that in some fashion reflects our values or are you asking us to post a comment on the sadness of world society today, the lack of decent values and the total loss of decency or morality?
I don't see ANY story in the news that gives me comfort or hope that human values are settling or rising, I only see stories that the decline of civilization continues.
(I cannot agree that the inauguration of PO is an uplifting or value rich event. For all those millionaires, and I don't care who they are, having that as a news event is beyond understanding. People are losing their homes but the USA can afford a multimillion dollar event to watch someone swear an oath? Sorry, don't buy it.)
As to the absolute imminent decline of humanity and society, the debacle of the clearly mentally imbalance, drug addicted, racially and sexually confused Mr. Jackson, is the top story of the year. My, how far we have fallen.
I think the only "Top Story" that has not been publicized anywhere but locally is the recognition of the contribution and death of our warriors and how they were being neglected on their final travel home. One fallen warrior returned to his home town and the hearse and entourage went through town unnoticed. This has changed; now, whenever (too often) a fallen warrior is returned, their procession is greeted by not just Veterans, but people of the community. Flags are everywhere; the crowd rises, some salute, some bow their heads, as the coffin passes by. The procession is accompanied by miscellaneous veterans groups, many on motorcycle, some simply in cars. Traffic stops and people get out of their vehicles in honor of the warrior. Thank heavens for these good people; this, to me, is the story of the year.
I would agree that Obama's election was the top news story as it gave not only America hope but the rest of the world. We elected him because he represented diplomacy and intellect over war and belligerence. I am still reeling over his decision to escalate the military option in Afghanistan.
Will anyone include Iran in a list such as this of important memories of this year?
Things finally are happening there that may not be over in this year, but are surely paving the way for a new era, God willing.
I pray for peace every day and the struggle there is so hard it is not easy to pray with feelings of sadness many times.
I carry a photo of Neda Agha-Soltan in my car with me to remember her and to remind myself to be brave, too, in each day I am given wherever life takes me.
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