Isn’t it interesting that religion
becomes more important as we become older and closer to death (graph on top)?
The greatest increase in the importance of religion is indicated by the Baby
Boomers. During their youth, 39% considered religion important, but more
recently and thirty years older, 60% of the Baby Boomers consider religion
important. There is little change for each generation in their affiliation to a
specific religion by age (chart on bottom). Of those surveyed, 13% of the
Baby Boomers had no religious preference in their youth and thirty years later,
13% still indicate no religious preference. That does not bode well for our
youngest generation, where twice as many (26%) have no religious preference. In
addition, each subsequent generation considers religion less and less important
and thus, does not associate themselves with a specific religious affiliation.
When analyzing both graphs together,
we can conclude that although God is important to the lives of many, fewer are
associating themselves with a specific religious affiliation. Why is that? Are
many disillusioned by religious organizations? Are we not meeting the needs of
the people? Our churches are seeking ways to increase the engagement and
involvement of young people, but what do young people need from their churches?
What do all people need?
According
to James 1:27, "Pure and undefiled
religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in
their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” According to
James, we need to set a good example by the life we lead, being charitable and “unspotted from the world.” Yet, there is
an important social component necessary. I remember when I was a teenager and
young adult, even though it was long ago! The most important thing to me was my
social life, my friends. I went to church because I belonged to a youth group
at my church, and that was where my friends were. Well, God was important, too,
but I regularly attended church to see my friends. As I grew older, my church
attendance was determined by my closeness to God, my relationship with God.
Each time my relationship grew stronger, I sought to learn more about God. I
hungered for knowledge and wisdom. I hungered to experience God.
I believe
that the most crucial factors in increasing our participation and church
attendance are the same two factors, genuine love through relationship with God
and with others. These are the same two commandments Christ gave us; we are to
love God with our entire being, and we are to love one another. If these
precepts are not alive in our churches, in the hearts of our parishioners,
Christ’s message is in vain. I believe that people hunger for the word of God,
but are unwittingly starving themselves.
Whose
responsibility is it to meet the needs of our people in our Christian
communities? It is not just the responsibility of the priests or pastors. It is
up to each one of us. Each community member is responsible for supporting and
encouraging one another, responsible for loving one another.
Another
interesting statistic, according to Petts (2014)1, is that parental
influence on children’s religious life is overwhelmingly the greatest factor in
church affiliation as the children become adults. In other words, Christian
children who are taught about Christ by their parents, will follow Him, even as
they become adults. Parents, not priests, pastors, or teachers, have the
greatest influence on their children. Parents who teach by example have an even
greater impact. When children see their parents pray, when they go to church
with their family, when they participate in church activities, these children
will develop their faith. When children see their parents loving one another
and showing love to others in the community, they will be inspired to follow
that example. They will know the love of Christ.
Children
need a moral compass as they become adolescents and teenagers. “Train children in the
right way, and when old, they will not stray” (Proverbs 22:6). Teach your children to love and
respect everyone and teach them good manners. The children of today need an example
of God’s love to flourish into confident adults. They need the support and
encouragement of the church, their Christian peers and their families to
experience genuine Christian living and to experience Christ Himself. They may
act as if they are not listening, but they are outstanding observers of those
around them.
How can
parents teach by example? Parents must always be loving, honest and genuine. “Fathers, do not
provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We will make mistakes, but we can
acknowledge those mistakes and teach our children what is right according to
Christ’s teachings. We must always be loving to all in all situations, “take thought for what
is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you,
live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:17-18).
In other words, as much as we are able, we are to live with integrity, humble
and compassionate, merciful and kind, enduring suffering with patience and
courage. Finally, “Have nothing to do
with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And
the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt
teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy
2:23-25). When we correct our children, we should do so with love and
gentleness, teaching and encouraging them in the ways of the Lord. We can offer
consequences, so they understand that poor choices in life have consequences,
but they must be appropriate to the behavior. “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger”
(Ephesians 4:26).
According to Merriam-Webster,
“religion” is the service and worship of God, or a cause, principle, or
system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. Religion is the dedication to
our beliefs about God. The negative connotations of religion originate from
beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of Christ. Christ taught us to love,
to be compassionate, not to judge others, not to force our beliefs on others.
We teach others about Christ through love, by the way we live our lives in the
love of Christ. We are Christians because we follow the ways of Christ, who
embodies the purity of love. This is why it is so important that our children
are taught our faith. There is no greater truth than Christ’s love.
1 Petts, Richard J., “Parental Religiosity and Youth Religiosity:
Variations by Family Structure,” Sociology
of Religion Advance Access (November 10, 2014). Retrieved on Oct. 29, 2017
from http://youthandreligion.nd.edu/assets/156823/sociology_of_religion_2014_petts_socrel_sru064.pdf
© 2017 Helen Kamenos
All rights reserved
http://www.helenkamenos.com/
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