Religious Decline and Young People

According to a story posted on the Internet by Mary Wisniewski, "Americans are becoming less religious, judging by such markers as church attendance, prayer and belief in God" (data supplied by the Pew Research Center). The fact that belief in God has fallen from 92% to 89% or that the number of people absolutely certain of the existence of God had dropped from 71% to 63% is scarcely surprising. What is disturbing is that only half of those born from 1990 to 1996 are certain of God's existence.

Of course, public schools, colleges, and universities have been secularized, and little in the popular culture emphasizes the spiritual. Ironically, excellent materials demonstrating the evidences of Christianity and the Bible are available, but apparently young people are not aware of it. Youths would be built up by watching the Warren-Flew Debate—or reading it. Probably, we have never lived in an age in which so much is available, yet young people are losing interest.

Entertainment

But how is it possible to be losing those who are growing into adulthood? Many voices have called for entertainment as the solution to attracting young people. Megachurches are wowing audiences with dazzling dramas that sometimes incorporate spectacular special effects. Bands and singers are there to entertain. Even some in the Lord's church are saying that we are losing our young people because of our refusal to use musical instruments. Well, all of that is going on in the denominational world, but the number of interested young people keeps dwindling.

Here is a radical thought: Maybe young people need to know the evidences for the Bible being the Word of God, and maybe they should be learning Bible principles by which they can live confidently. Teenagers and young adults are bombarded by a variety of philosophies and ideas. Some of the non-Christian ones may actually make sense and will be adopted by the younger generation into their thought processes—unless they come across the truth.

For example, many have accepted the statement that, "Everyone has a right to be happy." Really? And where did that statement come from? "Why, it's in the Constitution!" Probably some are thinking of the fundamental right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—a phrase found in the Declaration of Independence. While everyone should be free to pursue happiness, happiness itself is not guaranteed to anyone. Each person probably would define what it takes to make him happy differently. Many might select a certain amount of money, but how often have those who possessed more money than they need been miserable? Besides, no one can guarantee that everyone will have all the wealth they desire.

But beyond the problem of defining what everyone wants and assuring them they will have it, another problem intrudes. Some things people are not entitled to. A man like Herod, for example, may decide that he wants another man's wife (Herodias). Both divorce their mates and marry each other. After all, don't they deserve happiness? No—not if it means breaking up two homes and violating the will of God. Satan has convinced most people that they should "follow their hearts" regardless of the devastation and destruction that it causes in the lives of others.

The church cannot follow the world and try to compete with it in the realm of entertainment, nor can it adopt the attitudes of the world with respect to happiness. Too much blurring of the lines is occurring, and part of that result may be young people becoming less religious. Entertainment and worldly thinking are no solutions to the current problem.

Political Breakdown

According to Wisniewski's article, "those who are not religiously affiliated" are "more likely to be Democrats, at 28%, compared to 14% of Republicans." This is not surprising, since the Democrat Party has been pro-abortion for decades. What is surprising is that "Catholics make up 21% of each major political party." Since the Catholic Church is pro-life, these numbers make no sense. Why are some Catholics supporting candidates who are pro-abortion and have made it clear that they have no respect for human life? How can they conscientiously vote for such an individual?

The reader might ask, "How did the survey become political, all of a sudden?" The answer is that the survey began with a spiritual emphasis but ended up with an emphasis on politics. While some may have no taste for politics, however, it is exactly at this point that things become interesting because the spiritual and the political are combined. Christians may want to consider the following two sentences (that bring the article to a close) very carefully. It is made by a college student from Wisconsin, which merits a comment before looking at what she says.

College students are taught primarily by whom? Liberals who are anti-Christian. They are also usually Democrats. At one major university, recently, it was discovered that the faculty members gave 93% of their political contributions to Democrats. Nevertheless, the students thought they were academically balanced. So, when a college student is cited concerning her beliefs, we must realize two things: 1) What she has been taught, and 2) Who she has been taught by. People generally believe what they are taught—unless they have a good reason to be suspicious. On most college campuses that skepticism does not exist. Following is one college-student's analysis.

The Problem?

…she thinks that the anti-science, anti-gay rhetoric of some politicians may be turning some young people away from religion.

"The idea of Republicans not believing in global warming is contributing to the notion that religious people are not intelligent…."

Is the above analysis and criticism fair? It is accurate only in one aspect: Few Democrats will challenge evolution, a marriage being between a man and a woman, or "climate change." Some Republicans believe the Bible is literal, but most will not buck evolution, either. The majority of Republicans affirm marriage as God gave it. A few of them will assert that global warming is fraudulent. But, politics aside, is there a Christian view on these subjects?

First of all, being opposed to evolution is not being anti-science. This is equivalent to saying, "Oh, you don't believe in astrology? Then you don't believe in astronomy, either." No, one is scientific, one is theory (or in the case of astrology, bunk). How could anyone think that Christians are opposed to science? Don't Christians use electricity and drink pasteurized milk? Hello! Scientific facts are different than a theory such as evolution that in over 150 years, with countless hours of time spent on it, cannot set forth any proof.

Oh, sure, occasionally there is a discovery such as "Lucy," but only low-information students believe what they are taught instead of looking at what was actually discovered and asking questions about the techniques used and the discrepancies. But where is the solid, un-get-around-able evidence? How many college students know of the several frauds that have been foisted upon the public? Do you think their professors willingly admit and present the several hoaxes?

The problem is that people are allowed to get away with saying such absurd things as Christians are anti-science. Perhaps a poll should ask those who think this way: "Have you ever looked at any of the evidence for Creationism?" or "How do explain polystrate fossils?" or "How do you get around the fundamental law of statistics, in explaining that all of life's proteins use left-handed amino acids?" or "Did you know that most of the great scientists of the past were Creationists (including Werner von Braun)?" Many still are. The idea that Christians are anti-science is not even slightly true; the language here is severely slanted.

Accusing people of using "anti-gay rhetoric" does not couch the issue in very favorable terms, either. Many politicians, such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were at one time opposed to homosexual marriage. They cited good reasons for holding those positions. Did anyone accuse these Democrats of using anti-gay rhetoric at the time? And what reason did they give for their reversal of views? They had "grown." Did they ever deny, however, their original reasons for opposition? Let's face it. They took the opposing view because they believed the tide had turned in favor of homosexual marriage. This is nothing more than the "I was against it before I was for it" mentality. And politicians such as these are praised for caving in while those remaining true to their convictions are badmouthed?

Those opposed to homosexual marriage are supporting marriage as defined by God—as between one man and one woman for life (Matt. 19:3-9). Neither God nor Christians hate or despise homosexuals. But God defines homosexuality as a sin, and the purpose of Christians is to encourage all who commit sin to repent. Are Christians anti-child molesters? God's grace is extended toward them, also, but they need to repent. Are Christians anti-adulterers? God's grace is extended toward them, also, but they too must repent. John the Baptizer told Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother Philip's wife." Doing so cost him his life. And it may cost Christianity some of its popularity. So be it. If Christians do not speak the truth, who exactly will?

Global warming is not a Biblical topic—except for the warming that will occur when Jesus returns and the earth is burned up (2 Peter 3:10-13). The only way to delay or postpone that from occurring is for people to obey the gospel, but even with that warning, people will not repent. They did not do so, despite Noah's preaching, and they will not do so now because their hearts are intent upon doing evil things.

However, since it was brought up, notice that the college student apparently believes what she has been taught on the subject, and she has also been taught that anyone who objects to it is an ignorant moron. Why do not college students ever evaluate what they are taught? Why don't they demand proof for what their professors tell them? Most who promote the global warming doctrine are going by computer models and their projections. How many college students are aware of the global cooling scare of the 1970s? Probably some college students back then considered ignorant anyone who did not believe in those predictions.

Just because a majority of scientists, professors, or self-help gurus believe in something does not mean they are right. Jesus said that the clear majority of people are lost and on their way to eternal destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). It is Satan who propagates error of all types—religious and non-religious. It does not matter if seven out of ten believe an error to be true; it remains false. Most people believe they will be saved though they cannot find even one Scripture to corroborate that fantasy. Just thinking something does not make it so.

We should be able to "prove all things" (1 Thess 5: 21), which means that the idea is based on evidence. If solid evidence is lacking, then whatever it is remains a matter of speculation until sufficient proof can be found. College students once were taught critical thinking. Now, apparently, they are being taught conformity. George Orwell may have been smarter than he knew.