Getting the message to young people

[Blood_Angel]

I live in England, and there’s a strong sense of atheism within my age group, I guess which is (18-25) and I you have to understand, that there, is the future of my home. It’s rare you will find anybody with traditional values, everybody was in a rush to have sex despite a Christian influenced childhood. There’s a rebellion against conformity and traditional values. Nobody has any faith, and spends time getting drunk and eager for new relationships.

Personally, I blame the media.
But the real problem, is brining not only Christianity, but mostly the more traditional Catholicism to young people, that seek only hedonism, pleasure and intoxication. I myself, became part of that.
I am more of a rebellious person though, countering this culture, I found religion.

 

[COLOS]

Personally, I blame the media.

Me too.

 

[Cristiano]

I personally blame the parents!

I think that we need to start holding individuals accountable for bad behaviors. I am afraid that saying “the media” can become a cop out and we are really saying “there is nothing we can do about it”.

 

[Blood_Angel]

I personally blame the parents!

I think that we need to start holding individuals accountable for bad behaviors. I am afraid that saying “the media” can become a cop out and we are really saying “there is nothing we can do about it”.

Well schools here, have a level of christianity, weather their parents teach them it at home or not. I just mean, for a teenager, when they start asking questions about life, etc. Religion just isn’t hip as what’s on the television, cinema, video game store, skatepark you know.

 

[ManOnFire]

I personally blame the parents!

I think that we need to start holding individuals accountable for bad behaviors. I am afraid that saying “the media” can become a cop out and we are really saying “there is nothing we can do about it”.

People crave intensity. Intensity can be found in the themes of pleasure that is reducing people into the perpetual pursuit of shallow amusements. Or, Intensity can be found in deep spiritual and emotional romanticism, spouse, kids, good friends, etc. The humen spirit will get tired of the shallow amusements and yearn for something deeper…

 

[Blood_Angel]

The humen spirit will get tired of the shallow amusements and yearn for something deeper…

I wish that sooner or later, I tire of shallow amusements.

On an average weekend in the bars, I look around at drunk people having fun, while I try and maintain a healthy mind, and I wonder, is this it? The best life, has to offer me?
You have slutty looking women, and guys of questionable morality.
I vaguely remember my christian childhood, because that’s what alcohol does to you.
I can’t remember my feelings towards religion, as an ignorant child but I wonder weather I was truly happier then.

 

[BouncingBall]

Hi @bloodangel!

Well, in my opinion, religion is still popular in Britain; it’s just that religion du jour is atheism (in Christian culture, anyway; deffo not in the Muslim community).

Listening to my iPod, I think this all started with your parents’ generation. (See: New Order, Depeche Mode, Thompson Twins, R.E.M. Madonna)… flouting religion was very big in the 80s. With the exception of the r&b singers, most of the big music stars were unabashedly atheist. It was all in the lyrics of the songs. Google the lyrics to Depeche Mode “Strangelove” and see what I mean! Some (many? most?) of the Gen Xers internalized it hook line and sinker.

Ask yourself the age group of who runs the media; that means how old in general are the people who own the networks, newspapers and major magazines? Then look at the attitude about religion of that age group and you have your answer on how it began and how it can be combated.

 

[ManOnFire]

I never ever thought I’d say this, but I think we need a return to the more romantic music of the 70s. At least there was some innocence there. Madonna did irreparable damage with “Material Girl.” This was the unofficial start of the progressives’ propaganda of consumerism. (Leave it to them to promote society’s Regression to the basic instincts and then label it Progress. Their influence over the masses of pleasure addicts has progressed as the rest of society gets reduced). Romantic love took a back seat to the informal prostitution of “I’ll be with you if you have money.” Imagine how much true love has been destroyed and lives ruined. Sheryl Crow reinforces the message with repetitions of “I got a crummy job. It don’t pay near enough, to buy the things it takes to win me some of your love.” That’s not true love Sheryl. That’s informal prostitution. Madonna and Sheryl, thanks for contributing to the reduction of society! Are you aware of how much true love you have ruined?

 

[Blood_Angel]

I never ever thought I’d say this, but I think we need a return to the more romantic music of the 70s. At least there was some innocence there.

I always enjoy Lynard Skynard - Simple Man.

 

[Love_Divine]

I never ever thought I’d say this, but I think we need a return to the more romantic music of the 70s.

Hey! The 70s was a good decade for music. Even I, at 25 years old, find myself drawn more to my parents’ music than the majority of what’s popular today. As I write this I am listening to the Moody Blues. Even in their 70s they still rock harder than today’s artists.

 

[mdrummer5]

I personally blame the parents!

I think that we need to start holding individuals accountable for bad behaviors. I am afraid that saying “the media” can become a cop out and we are really saying “there is nothing we can do about it”.

Couldn’t agree more. I mean no offense to the OP or anyone who agrees with his blaming the media but until a child is an adult it is a parent’s responsibility to teach them morality and blaming the media is a lame excuse for poor parenting.

“My kid thinks lust, violence etc. is ok because of what they see or hear on TV”

No… your kid thinks those things are ok because YOU have not taught them better.

Edit: Sorry, didn’t actually contribute to the thread with this…

I will say that Traditional Catholicism (more directly the people themselves not the religion or Church) does little to attract young people. But there is an organization I’ve seen with billboards up that do a pretty decent job of trying to attract younger folks in my area (Ohio, US) to Christ. It’s not Catholicism… but it hopefully at least takes them away from the kind of lifestyle that will lead them astray. I’ve heard radio commercials and they basically make it sounds like a cool get together where you talk about the faith and has a slogan of “perfect people not allowed” or something like that.

 

[Blood_Angel]

blaming the media is a lame excuse for poor parenting.

“My kid thinks lust, violence etc. is ok because of what they see or hear on TV”

No… your kid thinks those things are ok because YOU have not taught them better.

I went to a christian primary school I think, I always remember singing hymns and saying amen in assemlbies when I was a child, until I was 11 years old, and I didn’t really understand it all. My parents weren’t religious, they divorced and I was a deeply scarred child. I can understand Christians attitudes towards preserving the institute of marriage, but without them, I wouldn’t be here. I abandoned the idea of religion during high school, when I got even more disconnected.

My point is, I believe that most parents believe that you can teach your children a good way to live, without being elitist and following every rules of a religion. You can meet sinners, that are good people at heart. Or religious people, that do more evil things than a common man.

 

[ManOnFire]

I always enjoy Lynard Skynard - Simple Man.

One of my favorites!

 

[ManOnFire]

The early teen years are a natural breaking away time for the individual to transition from his parent’s child into his own person. If the friends and self are indulging in listening to media and the child is rebelling free of the parent, then unless the parent put the fear of God into them, it becomes increasingly difficult for the kids to follow true love since there isn’t much of that in the media. It’s easier for the leftists to control those addicted to pop culture’s shallow amusements while disguising the addictions as “help.” Too many people are addicted to the very things that are hurting them, while begging for more. It’s the exact opposite of what many people need, but they can’t see it. It’s cruel.

 

[phoage]

I… There’s a rebellion against conformity and traditional values. Nobody has any faith, and spends time getting drunk and eager for new relationships.

Traditional values ae what you get if you rebel against conformity. Those who conform want the Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. The person who marches to a different drummer is actually the onw who walks with the Lord.

Most teens do not want to be seen as different from their peers. They want to fit in with everyone else.

If they say otherwise watch what they do.

 

[PJM]

=Blood Angel;7702225]I live in England, and there’s a strong sense of atheism within my age group, I guess which is (18-25) and I you have to understand, that there, is the future of my home. It’s rare you will find anybody with traditional values, everybody was in a rush to have sex despite a Christian influenced childhood. There’s a rebellion against conformity and traditional values. Nobody has any faith, and spends time getting drunk and eager for new relationships.

Personally, I blame the media.
But the real problem, is brining not only Christianity, but mostly the more traditional Catholicism to young people, that seek only hedonism, pleasure and intoxication. I myself, became part of that.
I am more of a rebellious person though, countering this culture, I found religion.

My dear friend in Christ:

The answer is seemingly a painful one. God Alone, grants what is necessary for conversion. This is not to say that we are to stand idly.

Most importantly and with the greatest chance of making a difference is to know our faith; practice it fully and publicly. NOT easy to do in your environment. But then it is a challenge these day’s wherever one lives.

A strong and disciplined prayer life is essential. THANK God for the graces He has grated you; avoid serious sin and the near occasions of sin, and pray for the conversion of your country.

For additional advice; befriend a priest who is dealing with the same issues, and ask how you might be able to do more.

God Bless you my friend!

If you have any faith questions; send Me a PM…

Pat

 

[ManOnFire]

Most importantly and with the greatest chance of making a difference is to know our faith; practice it fully and publicly. NOT easy to do in your environment. But then it is a challenge these day’s wherever one lives.

Pat

That’s because the media creates the culture.

Personally, I listen to music from the 70s, 80s, and classical romantic music to escape from today’s soulless culture.

I hear so many people aching for depth. If more people will become activists for the right cause and get the word out, you (original poster) will find many more who can be persuaded to see the light if you gently open their eyes to what’s happening. It’s a shame that it has become so watered down over time. Never give up.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Hi Blood Angel!

Do you know any Christians your age? You sound a bit defeated and I wonder if you are alone in this journey. I completely understand about young people in the UK who are without any deeper moral values. (I live in Scotland). There was a time when I honestly thought there were no young people in church. But that is not the case. I’ve since met many university students who are very serious about their faith and who told me that things are slowly changing and that young people seek something deeper.
The church in the UK is small but strong. Look for a prayer group and seek to make friends with young people who are religious. That will make such a difference to your life and I think it will make you feel more encouraged to live the faith.

 

[Kouyate42]

Hi @bloodangel!

Well, in my opinion, religion is still popular in Britain; it’s just that religion du jour is atheism (in Christian culture, anyway; deffo not in the Muslim community).

Listening to my iPod, I think this all started with your parents’ generation. (See: New Order, Depeche Mode, Thompson Twins, R.E.M. Madonna)… flouting religion was very big in the 80s. With the exception of the r&b singers, most of the big music stars were unabashedly atheist. It was all in the lyrics of the songs. Google the lyrics to Depeche Mode “Strangelove” and see what I mean! Some (many? most?) of the Gen Xers internalized it hook line and sinker.

Ask yourself the age group of who runs the media; that means how old in general are the people who own the networks, newspapers and major magazines? Then look at the attitude about religion of that age group and you have your answer on how it began and how it can be combated.

I also seem to remember a little song by Depeche Mode called Blasphemous Rumours too. (I’m a fan of Depeche Mode).

I think though that in the case of the music, it was a symptom of what was going on in the culture as a whole. The 80s saw the rise of commercialism, convenience foods (and lifestyles) and huge social shifts. The mines were shutting down, factories were shutting down, entire communities were losing their collective identities. Plus you then have the liberal policies of 20 years before this, where religious teachings were essentially ridiculed as old-fashioned.

 

[BouncingBall]

Uh, Kouyate42, you wouldn’t happen to be a Level 42 fan, would you?

<<The mines were shutting down, factories were shutting down, entire communities were losing their collective identities.>>

Reminds me of that Billy Joel song, “Allentown.”

At the end of the day, people have to be properly catechized from the beginning. Put a Bible in the living room. Say a blessing before meals. Stopping kids from listening to secular music is only going to make them like secular music more.