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Why are so many youths turning away from Religion?

Discussion in 'Religion & Spirituality' started by Annabella101, Jun 11, 2015.

  1. Annabella101

    Annabella101 New Member

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    I read recently that more than one fifth of all Americans are religiously unaffiliated. The article went on to state that more and more persons under the age of 30 were drifting away from organised religion. I suspect if we look at the question globally the figures might be staggering particularly to those who believe in organised religion.

    Here on my little rock, a place we once called 'Paradise', I am seeing the turning away from religion first hand. In my own religion, sometimes it appears that so many can't wait to reach an age where they no longer feel obligated to stick around.

    Hypocrisy in the churches, rigid man made rules, a flawed creation story, religious wars and so many unanswered questions in the bible are some of the reasons many use for turning away. What has been your experience or observation?
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2015
  2. joegakss

    joegakss New Member

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    Simply put, our society has twisted our minds. What is wrong is right and what is right is wrong. Gone are the days when people were involved in Christian activities. Immediately a church service ends, you will see everyone get in the cars and disperse like it was some AGM meeting. At times I just cannot but just a sad smile on my face when it dawns on me that I act the same at times.
    The society around us has created in-genius ways to keep us occupied with irrelevant matters that we forget what is important in our lives. From video games, tv episodes, cartoons, movies, and the like, we are constantly bombarded with what will shift our focus. The end result is the crop of gayism, homsexualism, and all the other ills which are shown to be "good". Ask someone in the street whether this "ills" are okay and they will respond that since the government has given it the go ahead then it is RIGHT. Morality has become debatable at the expense of society.
    When shall society learn that morality is morality today, tomorrow and even 10years from now is anone's guess.
     
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  3. Annabella101

    Annabella101 New Member

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    Joegakss, I see you have very strong opinions on this whole question and I do see where you are coming from to some extent. While we could easily put the blame on society, I still think that we have to admit that the 'church' itself has not been providing much to keep our youths interested. On the contrary the hypocrisy so common place in the churches continues to be at the centre of the debate as to why youths are so disillusioned with religion.

    I feel your comments related to homosexuality could perhaps fuel a different debate unrelated to religion. I'll wait and see how that goes.
     
  4. arrhen fej

    arrhen fej New Member

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    Despite all the fear driven presentations you’ve heard, not every young person is walking out of the church the moment they finish high school and never coming back.
    Here’s what you need to know. The young adults who do drop out of church often lack a first-hand faith. A faith of their own—and a relationship with Christ that matters deeply in their own personal life apart from their parent’s pressure.
     
  5. eZyeil

    eZyeil New Member

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    I think there are two possible root with this problem:

    1. The Religion's System
    I am aware that many religions today teach the wrong doctrine and have its hypocrite members, these members are sometimes discouragements of senitive youths.
    2.The youth do not understand religion
    Despite that there are negative sides on every religion, a youth must not see religions as their basis for their belief but a medium to grow in faith.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2015
  6. Stephen Hill

    Stephen Hill New Member

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    Like it was stated in the bible; this is the end of days, the kids will come more wicked and wise with that being said you see it with your own eyes that it is a spirit. If you looking into the spirit world catch a glimpse of it and only then will you see the ranks of evil that run this earth, from the gov. to the every day police officer you will see why kids are the way they are. Even with the places that one individual may live , if he/she sees killing every day violence period and grow up to be a rapper now others ask him/her why do you talk about killing so much. Its the forces at work on top of that the things one mite see in his/her life time ....I hope this has informal to you.
     
  7. Costo

    Costo New Member

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    I agree with you 100%, but I want to also add that television and music has a major impact on the youth today. A lot of homes today suffer the absence of disciplinary role model figures especially fathers, hence the youth turn to television, thugs, drugs and all negativity, which are most times attractive. Also with the influx of so many young parents, they themselves are still children and have very little life experience or knowledge of what running a proper family is. So I believe these reasons are also why youths abstain from religion.
     
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  8. Stephen Hill

    Stephen Hill New Member

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    Yes TV I never really watch TV for what entertainment is what most would say, OK so im being dumbed down wasting a good productive day on TV ill pass. Its said that all of the flashing colors on TV make our yes bad that's why they say don't site so close to it remember that? Further more every time I turn it on, someones trying to sale me something its absolutely confusing and tricknology again who's behind this the gov.
     
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  9. shaneckawilliams

    shaneckawilliams New Member

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    Proverbs ch. 22 v. 6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV)

    To me this Bible verse says it all. When we were children our parents, if they were Christian were tasked with the responsibility to raise us according to the word of God. Our parents were the ones that would show us the way to love him, which is to keep his commandments. The parent plays a major role in the life of a child; a parent is their lifeline, their protection, their teacher, their nurse, their chef, their role model. The parent is the instructor of the word of God at home. If the word of God is not taught, talked about or even acknowledged but one day a week at home then why do parents and society expect their children to follow God in their adult life when they never taught them how in their childhood.

    You know it's easy to blame society for the ailments of the nation, the level of violence, the poor, yeah it's easy. Society messed my child up with all these violent video games and cartoons, society has corrupted my daughter into thinking she had to be practically naked and shaking her rear end to get a man's attention, society has corrupted my son into thinking getting an education is not important but standing on the corner dealing drugs and doing drive-bys is popular. You are the parent, that is your house and your children live under your roof. Parents have to be held responsible for what their children watch and who they hang around. If you let society raise your child of course they're going to be corrupted because the Bible says to love the world is enmity with God. You can't love the world and God.

    A parent has to have the zeal for God and want to obey God themselves in order to teach their children. If the parent doesn't care this way or that, that their child knows the Lord or not, when they become adults they are essentially atheist or one day Christians. The process of learning about the Lord and obeying him begins at infancy and never stops.

    The other reason some other people posted was the reason behind this great falling away was because of hypocrisy in the church. I admit there is hypocrisy and paganism within the church. We as the body of Christ are not united. There is no such thing as different denominations of Christianity, there is one Law for the native and sojourner. Pagan holidays such as Easter and Christmas pretend to be about Christ but are based on pagan child sacrifice ceremonies. The true Sabbath day was moved from Saturday to Sunday by the catholic church a millennium ago for no reason at all causing believers to err from the true faith.

    Now we've come full circle. The young people can recognize false faith, those Sunday only Christians who live like hell Monday through Saturday and come to church on Sunday and hoop and holler and run down the aisle of the church. I also blame the parents for this, because the parents are the ones who need to show the children the difference between what's real and false. They need to give their children a role model to follow in the faith, they need to walk right themselves, and until the parent walks right and begins training up their child in the way that he should go, that child's mother may as well start shedding tears now because she will probably never change his mind or encourage him to serve the one true God again.
     
  10. Bruce Penningham

    Bruce Penningham New Member

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    There are many reasons why people, especially adolescents, are turning away from religion. They simply have more options before them with the wide availability of information by way of the internet. We have to admit that a lot of things don't make sense when it comes to religion. Most religious issues have to be taken with some unquestioning belief while shutting out any intelligent doubts one might have. It was not socially acceptable to be not affiliated with any church or religion. It made people the odd ones out as everyone was into church and related activities. It used to be reason enough to be labeled diabolical, a witch, and such names.

    However, these days people are more accommodating as can be seen from the acceptance of homosexuals and transgenders, so it's much easier for youths to take paths of their own. Why are youths doing it more than adults? Well, the adults have already established their rails and they won't diverge even if they get questions along the way. Youths, on the other hand, are only getting their belief systems established.
     
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  11. Andrew6ace

    Andrew6ace New Member

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    Ok, first of all, it seems that everyone that have spoken on this topic is religious, lets take it from a different point of view. I don't find that religion is needed, all we need is good morals and to me religion is a good way to practice this, Proverbs ch. 22 v. 6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV) , this verse to me is incorrect sad to say, speaking from a personal experience, my mother is a very church going person she encouraged us to read our bible everyday and she also teach us right from wrong the whole package 'ok' and because of the box that she had us living in eg, don't go there, you cant go that party, don't watch that type of show, don't listen to that kind of music. When I got a taste of the outside life I loved it and I grew up in a very family like neighborhood, I loved the taste of it and ended up doing the opposite of what I grew up on. I ended up an atheist. Not saying that because I was raised on religion it was all bad I have discipline self respect and respect for others, I am a very peace guy actually. But apart from good morals the bible really have a lot of ?????? on it I read the whole bible and took my time to read it and also looked at all myles munroe sermons, saying this for you all to know I was properly informed. That's my take.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2017
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  12. maxwell wanjohi

    maxwell wanjohi New Member

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    Majority of the youth are turning away from religion because people expect them to live a perfect life,to wear formally,not to get crazy haircuts but all they really want is to accepted just a they are and what they have done.
     
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  13. Xpert Dyadreamer

    Xpert Dyadreamer New Member

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    The atrocities done in the name of religion are depressing :oops::rolleyes:. Religion is based on myths, superstitions, outrageous laws, superstitions, legends and a bunch of some crazy stuff. Youths are turning away from religion because it is much easier now as compared to the past, and not only are youths are turning away but also a good portion of the baby boomer demographic are calling it Quits!!

    We are currently living in the age of globalization, mass media, the internet and a whole bunch of other things that have enhanced easier access to information. Previous generations were basically raised in closed societies where access to differing opinions, beliefs and philosophies was a pipe dream:):). Change is inevitable and the world as positioned right now is undergoing a cycle of change and furthermore advances in technology is accelerating the said CHANGE.
     
  14. Poselina

    Poselina New Member

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    The youth are drifting away from religion because they are confused. In our world today, religious groups have become too many and each purports to be the only true one.where does such claims leave the undecided youth,lost thus making most of them avoid religion altogether.

    Having said that does it mean the youth do not need religion. May be.But what they need is an immortal saviour to imitate and have a relationship with .But I think we need to look back and see where all this confusion started. The very moment man started making his own doctrines and made the church rules,the moment different people believing in the same God started thinking their way of worshiping God was better than other's,that is where trouble begun.
     
  15. Jsteph

    Jsteph New Member

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    So many youths are turning away from religion, simply because of the condemnations they feel, or they have been subjected to. Condemnations results to doings, that religion has classified as a sin, that feelings of desires that is being portrayed as lust.

    When people get entangled in relationships, religion says no sex, religion don't talk about the fulfilments of those desires within us. It is all sin as sin, they make youth on a daily, like myself die of guilt and the feeling of being never enough. They teach us how to mask it all, and appeal to the society only, this has always been the reason youths turn away from religion, it still is a problem.
     
  16. Francis

    Francis New Member

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    This is a very important topic of discussion that I really wanted to hear one day. Most people are turning away from the normal religion and joining other satanic groups. This problem mostly affects the youth, globally.

    The desire to get rich quickly could be one of the obvious reasons. After someone prays to God, he expects God to give an answer instantly. Failure of this to happen makes the youth to give up and take to the nonreligious group.

    Another reason majorly affecting high school students is the problem of peer pressure. Influence from peers could very difficult for one to resist change. In most boarding schools, many students turn away from religion without their parents knowing.
     
  17. Tiren

    Tiren New Member

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    Majority of the youths have turned away from religions because of the following reasons:


    1.Family breakdown. The fortunes of religion's rise and fall starts from the family. It's a situation where a child grows up with divisive parents, where they are either going different churches or they are not living together, by the time he or she is a youth he or she is undecided on which religion to follow.


    2.Lack of spiritual authenticity from adults. The youths lack spiritual knowledge from the elderly. The elderly should be role model to the youth, by give them good morals and advice on how to live Spiritual life.


    3.Peer pressure. This is company and group advice which may influence individual negativily or possibly. This happen mostly during adolescent, one can easily follow friend's advice without thinking first about its effects.
     
  18. AmieBotella

    AmieBotella New Member

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    Unfortunately, not only the youth that's turning away from religious affiliations. Many adults also drop their God. Basically because religion is viewed as a place for the perfect ones. Not the shelter for the lost ones. And it has been like this a long time ago, in fact when I read gruesome stories of church leaders torturing the 'sinners' of their time, makes me cringe and shiver in shock of how they portray God in their actions. Those who are in the power of their churches forgot what it was really like to be Christ. They inject their principles to everyone without even thinking how the other end feels. As a result, it creates disgust on both ends because the judgmental heart reigns instead of the compassionate one.

    In my opinion. religions are flawed this way. It's like slicing the cake and forcing one to eat it without even baking it first. That's how I see the problem with making the majority of people accept God through a religion, because it is mandated by the strong human ideologies on how they think God must be. But this is not the case. For me this is the main reason why people shy away from any religious affiliations and deny the existence of God along the way because of this.
     
  19. Eryn

    Eryn New Member

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    I do not believe the majority of young people choosing to remove themselves from any religious affiliation is the result of a lack of understanding. Many of the views expressed here seem to be coming from a religious perspective. I would be considered one of those youths who has left the church. My parents did not force my brother and I into anything. We were neither encouraged or discouraged from involvement in religion. I chose to be involved in a local church growing up and I have distanced myself from religion as an adult. I can not speak for others but my choice to severe ties with the church has nothing to do with society or government sanctioned morals. I do not feel the government or our legal system holds acceptable views of right and wrong. The major factor in my decision was the opposition from the church to education. I achieved a degree as a double major in Biology and Chemistry. Memories are still very clear in my mind concerning some of the more disturbing concepts I was taught in youth group. We were told to respond to anyone attempting to teach us evolution or any science related to the origins of the universe by asking the person if he or she was there. Adults involved in those youth group lessons still use the childish responses we were taught. I can not accept willful ignorance. Everyone has the right and ability to choose their beliefs but an educated decision is not possible if an individual refuses to learn.

    An aspect of religion present in varying degrees according to the views of each particular church or branch is the view of women. I will not remain affiliated with doctrine claiming I am a lesser human being under the guidance of my husband simply due to being a woman. Other ideas and policies pushed by the religious faction in the United States and elsewhere in the world are just as offensive to me. The fight over birth control coverage included in insurance plans as well as the continuous battle to ban abortion are extremely detrimental to women. The list of traditional platforms based on religious beliefs is very long. Judgement of those who are homosexuals is justified using verses from Leviticus. Opposition to environmental causes or advocacy for better treatment of animals is dismissed and ignored due to the belief that everything on earth was created for humans to use. Hypocrisy within the church is a major factor for me as well. I have known too many people choosing to attend religious services weekly while referring to themselves as good Christians while holding hateful, cruel, and degrading opinions of others. The compassion they claim to possess and learn from religious teachings is non-existent. This does not hold true for every person considering themselves to be Christian, or another religious affiliation, but in my experience the majority I have known did not practice the compassion and love they advertise. I would like to qualify my last statement by mentioning some people I know who do exemplify the characteristics Christianity claims to endorse. I am only acquainted with a small number of individuals I would judge to have such characteristics, but those individuals are truly extraordinary and compassionate people.
     
  20. chimeewrites

    chimeewrites New Member

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    Religion is one of the major issues we have today because of how it's misinterpreted. Some people even see it as a guarantee to make heaven which is very wrong. No religion is better than the other from my own point of view.

    Where I come from, christians doesn't want to mingle with the muslims because of the taught that they have different beliefs. They believe that that muslims are brutal since they don't see a big deal taking another life. Yet you meet a true muslim, who is willing to teach you their Quaran convincingly telling you that muslim religion is peaceful and not to be misinterpreted.

    The so called Christians who go to worship God can comfortably steal from you, kidnap you or evil kill you and yet call on God's name. Who is deceiving who?. I do not blame our youth who is turning away from religion because of this misunderstandings.

    Loving and reaching out for someone who is in need should not be based on religion be it Buddhism, Judaism, christianity and so on. We must learn that we are one created by one God and should love all. Remember, Love is the cure for every sickness.
     

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