Youth against religion

Just a few decades ago belief in God’s existence had a great influence on the youth’s virtues and gave sense to their everyday hardship. As the time goes by, the reality changes, and so are value systems of young generations. There are no more people indifferent to religion. They are either strong believers or they make a firm opposition to it. Sadly, the second way is the commonly chosen one. Nowadays youth tends to give up believing and there are different reasons and effects of it.

As mentioned, the spirit of the present era is one of the main causes. The technological, fast and loud world is ramming its ‘ideologies’ down teenagers throats. Fashion or artistic trends deprive them of the feeling of acceptation. This hedonistic and materialistic brainstorm makes youth constantly try to be better. Everything is so rapid that there is no room for reflection and any opposition to mainstream is ruthlessly criticized.

Moreover, the youngsters frequently have the experience of torn houses or abuse in the family. They know a lot of pain as their childhood has been stolen. The theodicy is spreading among them and so the question ‘Where is God and why doesn’t he react for my suffering?’ keeps coming back to their minds. The thought of not being loved by the Almighty Father is so depressing that the abandonment of religion is the result.

Religion, especially Christianity, is very demanding. You have to put great effort to resist temptations. It is definitely not a leisure but constant spiritual war. It may be very demotivating for young person who is accustomed to things being done for us.

What is the effect? Confusion. Youth tends to laugh at faith and carelessly live according to new fashions but in fact they lose the actual sense of living. They miss the beauty of believing, praying and experiencing God in everyday life. The hope, joy and love that religion offers is what they really need but simultaneously reject. But do they actually know who they are and how worthy they are?

There are plenty of reasons why youth gives up faith as well as serious effects of that phenomenon. Twenty first century has brought a severe crisis in spirituality of young people. However, every present finally becomes past and the situation will hopefully change.