Christian Message Boards: Generation Y embraces choice, redefines religion

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Posted by SoftTouch (Member # 2316) on :

I found this linked on Brother Ripp’s website www.rapturenews.com and I find it very disturbing!!! To me, this is a wake-up call to all us parents. We Must be vigilant in making certain we’re teaching our children Sound Doctrine and Training them up in the way they should go so they won’t depart from it when they’re older. Let us instill in them the Truth from God’s Holy Word and Proclaim to them the Unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ!

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050412-121457-4149r.htm

Generation Y embraces choice, redefines religion
By Cheryl Wetzstein
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Most young Americans strongly believe in having choices, an attitude that is likely to shape their identification with traditional religions, a study says.

"Generation Y," born between 1980 and 2000, is "bringing [media] industries to their knees" by embracing IPod, TiVo and other technologies that allow unprecedented consumer choice, said Roger Bennett, co-founder of Reboot, a Jewish group that is examining generational issues.

The big question is how traditional religions will respond to a new generation of Americans who value choice, informality and personal expression, he said.
It may mean the rise of "orthodoxy a la carte," where, as with IPods and music, young Americans take a "mix and match" approach to religion, said Bill Galston, a domestic policy adviser in the Clinton administration.

It also could mean an even deeper culture war, said Mr. Galston, as young Americans push their religious pluralism and a backlash emerges from other young Americans who don't want to lose traditional and religious moorings.

Reboot's study, "OMG! How Generation Y is Redefining Faith in the iPod Era," was released yesterday in a press conference at the Brookings Institution. The study is based on a survey last year of 1,385 persons ages 18 to 25.

To add depth, samples of black, Muslim, Jewish, Asian and Hispanic youths were included, said Anna Greenberg, vice president of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a firm known for its work with liberal political groups.

The Reboot study drew on other research, including the General Social Survey and a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner study on "America's Evangelicals," for data on religious characteristics of older generations.

The Reboot study found that 23 percent of Generation Y, like Generation X, do not identify with a religious denomination or don't believe in God. This is more than twice the number of nonbelievers among baby boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1965, Ms. Greenberg noted. Generation X was born between 1966 and 1979.

Twenty-six percent of young Americans call themselves Protestants, but the survey showed that 14 percent of the generation belonged to "other" kinds of Christian churches.

Catholic identification was stable, with 20 percent of both Generation Y and Generation X choosing this faith. However, the number was down from 23 percent Catholic identification among baby boomers.

Generation Y members also were strongly religiously pluralistic -- only 7 percent said "all" their friends were of the same religion, and about 10 percent said they belonged to a non-Christian religion.

Previous studies of religion have indicated that young adulthood is often a time when religious interest drops. Federal data tracked by the Washington-based research group Child Trends shows that 12th-graders are less likely than eighth-graders to say that religion plays an important role in their lives. The trend is reflected in student attendance at weekly religious services.

Still, religious identity plays a significant role in the lives of Generation Y, Ms. Greenberg said yesterday. More than half said they regularly pray before meals, and a third or more said they talk about religion with friends, attend worship services and read religious materials every week.

The Reboot survey further found that Generation Y was "more liberal and progressive" than older generations, both in political leanings and on social issues such as homosexual "marriage" and immigration. Fifty-four percent of voters younger than 30 voted for Sen. John Kerry last year -- the only age group the Democratic presidential candidate carried, the study noted.

However, although many of these young Americans worry about getting good grades and finding work after school, their biggest concern is the solidly "moral" issue of nonmarital sex -- 35 percent of Generation Y members are "very worried" about "getting a sexually transmitted disease," the study noted.

Posted by Ripp (Member # 3832) on :

My guess is that most of these youths will end up in the sensitive-seeking, church-growth movement. It offers everything their flesh desires.

Loud music, mini-malls, easy to read "bibles", food courts, "Christian entertainment", no pressure to be reborn or repent. What more could you ask for?!

It's no wonder these new "churches" are booming. What a travesty. Eventually you will probably see video monitors inserted into the pews, just like some SUVs. Maybe cable or satelite for those that have A.D.D.? Wouldn't want to stress them out too much with the new sensitive message. All that God talk can be a bit overwhelming.

God have mercy on us. [Bible]

Posted by Niedziejkore (Member # 2773) on :

more than likely, they just won't join any church at all