religion's declining grasp
September 3rd 2007 23:05
I can't be stuffed turning this into a flowery post so I'm just going to get to the point... possibly points. The majority of today's young people are not avid practitioners of a religion. I'm not denying that there are scripture classes and religious gatherings with a focus on the youth- I'm just saying the attendants are in the minority. My (not so) thorough research found that most members of this blog's spotlight generation are either agnostic or non-practicing followers of a religion. What's up with this?
It seems that more people are viewing religion like they do Santa Claus. They believed in it unquestioningly as children, but as age brought wisdom they found cause to question their teachings. As it become suspicious that one man could visit every 'good' child's home in a single evening, it too became suspicious that there are many religions that all claim to be the ultimate one. While pondering how Santa Claus managed to fit down the chimney, the members of Generation Y also pondered why religions based on love and understanding were at the heart much hatred and intolerance. As the idea of Santa Claus became less plausible, so too did the theology that explained the world's creation and what happens after we die. The difference is that while most had a chat with someone about Santa Claus and were told that he does not bring annual presents, something called 'parents' do that, no such talk was had about religion. Although somewhat disillusioned, without the flat-out denial of religion by the ones that taught it, the person in question remains a believer in the foundations of their religion but not an observer of the rituals and the finer points of how to live. Actually, they may go one step further; maybe they decide that all religion if fickle and conflicting. They reason that a higher power may exist but if it does, it certainly isn't any of the ones we're killing for and preaching about.
It seems that more people are viewing religion like they do Santa Claus. They believed in it unquestioningly as children, but as age brought wisdom they found cause to question their teachings. As it become suspicious that one man could visit every 'good' child's home in a single evening, it too became suspicious that there are many religions that all claim to be the ultimate one. While pondering how Santa Claus managed to fit down the chimney, the members of Generation Y also pondered why religions based on love and understanding were at the heart much hatred and intolerance. As the idea of Santa Claus became less plausible, so too did the theology that explained the world's creation and what happens after we die. The difference is that while most had a chat with someone about Santa Claus and were told that he does not bring annual presents, something called 'parents' do that, no such talk was had about religion. Although somewhat disillusioned, without the flat-out denial of religion by the ones that taught it, the person in question remains a believer in the foundations of their religion but not an observer of the rituals and the finer points of how to live. Actually, they may go one step further; maybe they decide that all religion if fickle and conflicting. They reason that a higher power may exist but if it does, it certainly isn't any of the ones we're killing for and preaching about.
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