Moral decline in our society

[Eagelswings]

I came across this stamp today, browse.deviantart.com/darelated/#/d4u94to

Needless to say I was upset. When I looked down at the comments everyone, including christians, were all making jokes, as if hell wasn’t a big deal.

When I was 19 years old I was baptized and confirmed in the Church. I’m 23 now. People used to say how great it was for someone as young as I was to have a desire for the Lord. I find it real disappointing how young people no longer have a desire for God any sense of the afterlife or eternity, or think that hell is nothing more than something to joke about. The young in today’s world are more concerned with watching Family Guy, having sex, playing video games more than they should, almost anything but God. Like I said, I’m 23 now and when I go to Daily Mass most of the people I see are 40 years old or older. It’s really sad.

 

[SMA_12]

I know what you mean. I am 21 and attend a public university. I am lucky enough to have found a Catholic student group up here that takes their faith very seriously. But outside of this group you are exactly right. “Tolerance” has come to mean there is no such thing as right and wrong. And by holding true to any beliefs or Religion you are viewed as intolerant.

I do have hope for our youth though as I see new faces all the time coming to get involved our Catholic activities. And some of the most serious Catholics I have ever met are in fact our age.

As far as the stamp goes, it is a straw man argument and easily refuted, but everyone is too eager to get on the “anti-religion” bandwagon to realize this.

 

[prodigalson2011]

I came across this stamp today, browse.deviantart.com/darelated/#/d4u94to

Needless to say I was upset. When I looked down at the comments everyone, including christians, were all making jokes, as if hell wasn’t a big deal.

When I was 19 years old I was baptized and confirmed in the Church. I’m 23 now. People used to say how great it was for someone as young as I was to have a desire for the Lord. I find it real disappointing how young people no longer have a desire for God any sense of the afterlife or eternity, or think that hell is nothing more than something to joke about. The young in today’s world are more concerned with watching Family Guy, having sex, playing video games more than they should, almost anything but God. Like I said, I’m 23 now and when I go to Daily Mass most of the people I see are 40 years old or older. It’s really sad.

I’m with you. I’m 26, and just reverted to Catholicism from atheism, and my parish priest and the Church director were literally ecstatic about me wanting to be confirmed. Like you, I’m one of very few young people in my Church.

Deviantart is a very liberal web community to begin with, but these young foolish types fail to see that there’s a corollary between the things that send you to Hell and things that create Hell on Earth. They’re probably mostly teenagers or college students who haven’t really had to take a stone-cold look at what’s happening to our culture and society in general.

You’ll also note every one of those items was related to sex. Hardly surprising in our post-sexual revolution world. Sex is god to most people now. Take away true spiritual joy, and people will find another source of ecstacy to worship.

Maybe they’ll grow up like I did.

 

[wondrousgnat]

Sometimes I do go to daily mass. It isn’t that hard. I am retired. But before retirement daily mass was almost impossible. The ones I see now look to be over 70 for the most part and there are usually around 50 at mass.

History has shown us that younger people tend to be less active in church. But that is NOT a good sign. Especially today in what they are learning from the older generation. Which is my generation. The news media, entertainment industry and politicians have been critical of Christianity. Abortion, same sex marriage and new age ideas are acceptable and opposition to them is bigotted. While we are supposed to welcome Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Satanism and astrology we are supposed to apologize for being Christians.

Too many Christians will not stand up for Christ. And many Christians groups are too busy attacking each other to have time to confront the evils that are taking over.

It is great, however, that you ARE attending daily mass. That is setting an excellent example and it is people like yourself that will bring a rebirth of the love for Jesus and His teachings…

 

[King_Lazy]

Yup. 26 years old. Don’t know personally know any orthodox Catholics. Young or old. Ah well. I’m not gonna look at what other people my age are like - I’ll be their friend, but I won’t compare myself to them. I’ll just focus on trying to be the perfectest guy there ever was.

 

[Steady_Eddy]

Hello there,

I wasn’t much older than you when I started attending daily Mass, best thing I’ve ever done. Perhaps some of the older people you see at Church are attending since they were very young too.

A local priest said at Mass here recently that when bishop Fulton Sheen was visiting here in Ireland he was asked why he thought the young people weren’t going to Mass and he replied “When they have suffered enough, then they will turn to God” Perhaps that’s one of the good things about suffering, it does make people look up, and wise up.

Thomas A Kempis says in The Imitation of Christ “Whatsoever becometh of others, neglect not thyself” Keep on doing the good things that you know in your own heart and soul is right. And never despair when you see all that’s going on around you, but rather pray for others always, then they too might come around in time.

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry

 

[may_by_the_bay]

If you’re looking for the shining faithful, the internet is NOT the place to do it!

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

Dear Plato,

Thanks for your note.

Sincerely,

The 21st century

 

[AdesteFideles]

There is a young lady on YouTube whose user name is SheIsCatholic.

I am in no way affiliated with her, etc.; however, I do recommend her channel for those who might be a bit frustrated with what this thread mentions.

Unfortunately, we live in a society which recommends doing everything possible to suppress knowledge of the true God, and which positively promulgates abandoning oneself to any and all desire. As difficult as it is, we certainly have our crosses that we have to bear; but fortunately, we have sufficient grace with which to bear them.

You should not forget that this sort of moral decline is certainly not uncommon; and the Old Testament histories have quite a bit to say with regard to this.

 

[Portrait]

I came across this stamp today, browse.deviantart.com/darelated/#/d4u94to

Needless to say I was upset. When I looked down at the comments everyone, including christians, were all making jokes, as if hell wasn’t a big deal.

When I was 19 years old I was baptized and confirmed in the Church. I’m 23 now. People used to say how great it was for someone as young as I was to have a desire for the Lord. I find it real disappointing how young people no longer have a desire for God any sense of the afterlife or eternity, or think that hell is nothing more than something to joke about. The young in today’s world are more concerned with watching Family Guy, having sex, playing video games more than they should, almost anything but God. Like I said, I’m 23 now and when I go to Daily Mass most of the people I see are 40 years old or older. It’s really sad.

Dear Eagelswings,

Cordial greetings and a very good day. Many Catholics would express full agreement with your remarks above, myself included. Our lot is sadly cast in times of great spiritual declension and widespread ignorance or rejection of the arduous demands of our most holy religion. What a refreshing change it is to hear a young person speak in the way that you do on these boards, my dear friend.

Multitudes of contemporary Catholics, especially youth, but not exclusively by any means, have chosen to adopt a hand in hand with the world type of religion that makes no demands upon them in terms of sanctity and separation from the godless world. This results in what George Weigel has aptly termed, ‘Catholicism Lite’, which is an easygoing approach to the faith and much less austere than the religion as practiced by former generations of Catholics. Those ‘die-hards’ who continue to argue for a more thoroughgoing and world-denying approach to religion are usually accused of being overscrupulous or of wanting to impose a Puritan mindset upon the Church, when all that they desire is a return to the tried and trusted ‘old paths’ of the robust Catholicism of former and more God-fearing times.

Unfortunately, my dear friend, many modern day Catholics, even those who would identify themselves as conservatives as regards faith and morals, sadly do not take seriously the summons to sanctity and separation from the godless world. You have this widely spread desire to want to make things pleasant in religion and avoid anything that savours of self-denial or sacrifice. Thus on every side we hear professing Catholics urging that we must not be too prissy or other-worldly, for that would be bad for the Church’s image or reputation in the modern world and only serve to alienate people, especially the youth, from the faith. Yes, this is utterly preposterous, I know, but it just evinces the extent to which secular thinking has inflitrated the Catholic Church in recent times. You would never have thought that St. Paul had exhorted us “not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable, and perfect” (Rom. 12: 2), given the great number of Catholics who either cannot, or will not, see anything unwholesome with, for example, rock/pop music, violent immoral video games and salacious TV programmes. One would never think that being saved is an arduous business involving daily penitnece, self-denial and a taking up of cross and following Christ.

How lamentable that so many professing Catholics are virtually indistinguishable from their pagan neighbours when it comes to the matter of sanctity and separation, notwithstanding that they are bidden to keep themselves “unstained from the world” (see St. James 1: 27) and distance themselves from its distracting and demoralizing influences. Sacred Scripture, the Church and the lives of the Saints are continually summoning us to a life of sanctity and separation from the world, but I fear that many have closed their ears to that summons in these Laodicean times.

Take courage, my dear bother, for there are still many today who strive to walk in the old paths and live a godly, righteous, sober and world denying life.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

 

[Stumblesalot]

I came across this stamp today, browse.deviantart.com/darelated/#/d4u94to

Needless to say I was upset. When I looked down at the comments everyone, including christians, were all making jokes, as if hell wasn’t a big deal.

When I was 19 years old I was baptized and confirmed in the Church. I’m 23 now. People used to say how great it was for someone as young as I was to have a desire for the Lord. I find it real disappointing how young people no longer have a desire for God any sense of the afterlife or eternity, or think that hell is nothing more than something to joke about. The young in today’s world are more concerned with watching Family Guy, having sex, playing video games more than they should, almost anything but God. Like I said, I’m 23 now and when I go to Daily Mass most of the people I see are 40 years old or older. It’s really sad.

Hi Eagleswings,

Firstly, I am unsure why you would want to visit such a website? These types of comments obviously upset you and I would recommend that you avoid such distress. Unfortunately, it would appear that people’s perceptions, moral values and philosophy of life vary considerably depending on their belief/non-belief of God. I have studied mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, environmental sciences, theology, philosophy and considered the arguments for and against the existence of God. After near 40 years of contemplation I have concluded that there IS a God and that the Catholic Church is the true church. In contrast, the calibre of person commenting on the websites you have been frequenting usually base their misguided assertions on an advertising slogan they have read on the side of a cereal box, or comments made on TV or radio by individuals with the intellectual capacity of a lobotomised pigeon. The fact of the matter is that such people are ignorant, and unfortunately, content to be so. It is true that the media and governmental policy greatly influence and distract attention away from the truths of what is actually occurring in today’s society, however, these people need to start thinking independently, as opposed to being ‘mind conditioned’ by such bodies. All we can do is proffer the truth when our opinion is requested and hope such blindness can be overcome through our prayers and the grace of God. In response to the moronic (and I am aware that moronic is not a proper noun, but it should be ha ha) who stated “he would sooner be with Satan than with God”, I would advise him to be very careful what he wishes for.

God bless you Eagleswings

 

[akela135]

I’m 23, as well, and while I don’t attend Mass daily I never miss Mass on Sunday and I attend many parish events. I have noticed the same thing as you just doing this bare minimum. The oldest young people I see are the highschool seniors. After that there seems to be a gap until you reach the 35+ crowd. I do live in a town with a college university so I wonder if the 20 something age group just goes there for Mass. I have always been involved in the church, as I’m a cradle Catholic, and met many friends in the church while growing up. Moving after college, to start my new job, I was hoping to meet people through the church again but sadly I’m the only one in my age group in my parish it seems.

 

[Eagelswings]

Thanks to all who commented. Being a catholic convert at 19 years of age was not easy for me. Even now it’s still hard but by the grace of God I’m here in the church. I really hope more and more young people will realize the greatness of our faith and that Mass isn’t “boring”.

It’s really sad that those who practice the faith with devotion are deemed as a “religious fanatic”. It’s almost tempting to believe there really is no such thing as a religious fanatic considering how much that term is thrown around at those who show even the slightest rejection of immorality.

Even those who say they believe in God, even go to church, still lack devotion these days. Someone may say they are christian but still use the Lord’s name in a curse or exclamation or have no problems going to a strip bar or viewing porn (or at least don’t try to stop viewing porn, I personally know how addicting it is). And the sad thing is, most of the people doing these things young people. It’s not about God anymore, it’s just believing in Him but not caring that He’s there.

Anyway thank you all. Nice to see some young people comment here. By the way Stumblesalot, the reason I go to that site is because it’s an art site. I am an artist and I want some place where my art can be seen.

 

[Colorad007]

I’m 27, a law student, and I struggle with the same thing. I do go to daily Mass, and it is tpyically comprised of much, much older people. I don’t have much advice, other than to say that you are absolutely called to live your faith wholeheartedly and passionately in the midst of this world that you’ve been given. God put you right here, right now for a very specific purpose. Evangelize like life depends on it, because it does. And also remember that whatever battles Christians may lose, in Christ we win the ultimate war.

 

[King_Lazy]

**John 15:16
**You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.

We would do well to remember that we have a particularly special role to play in today’s increasingly godless world as young people of faith. It is God, who has given us faith, and because of the circumstances of the world we live in, our role to defend Our Lord from attacks on His dignity and to preserve the Catholic Faith is perhaps even more crucial and special than in many generations past.

We have a unique calling, and our faith is doubly meritorious in a world increasingly hostile to it. We must thank God for entrusting us with such a special gift and must do His will so that we bear fruit and sow the seeds for a revival in the generations to come.

 

[davidlee]

I really think that part of the problem is our Church and other churches preach social issues instead of the Gospel. If I enter a room with 5 people, 2 pro-life and 3 pro-choice and I speak about the evils of abortion, when I’m done I have 2 pro-life people and 3 angry pro-choice people. If I speak about the love of Jesus and his passion I have 2 pro-life and 3 pro-choice people but perhaps at least 1 is considering a change. We need to have more trust in the Gospels changing an immoral, unethical society than laws and politicians getting the job done.

 

[vladdy]

I came across this stamp today, browse.deviantart.com/darelated/#/d4u94to

Needless to say I was upset. When I looked down at the comments everyone, including christians, were all making jokes, as if hell wasn’t a big deal.

When I was 19 years old I was baptized and confirmed in the Church. I’m 23 now. People used to say how great it was for someone as young as I was to have a desire for the Lord. I find it real disappointing how young people no longer have a desire for God any sense of the afterlife or eternity, or think that hell is nothing more than something to joke about. The young in today’s world are more concerned with watching Family Guy, having sex, playing video games more than they should, almost anything but God. Like I said, I’m 23 now and when I go to Daily Mass most of the people I see are 40 years old or older. It’s really sad.

I agree with you. Many young adults do not give two hoots about God, but just focus on the stuff you mention. Hell is nothing to joke about. Jesus offers us a way out, yet so often society chooses to ignore it, and Christians who supposedly believe in Him choose to live their lives like there is no God. Or they do the “Sunday Christianity” garbage, where they are Christians for 2 hours a week. This is not just a Catholic problem, this is as true among Evangelicals and other Christians as well.

I go to a church where there are a lot of young adults, but I have gone to both Catholic and Protestant churches in the past where the situation is as you describe. God bless you for your devotion to Him. Keep going to Mass, and I would encourage you if you are not already doing so to get in touch with a Catholic missions group or an outreach centre that works in the inner city and to share your faith with others and continue worship Jesus in church but also serve Him on the streets. You may be doing that already.

God bless you, and never give up your faith. What the world has to offer isn’t worth squat compared to what Jesus has given you and all of us on the cross.

 

[vladdy]

I really think that part of the problem is our Church and other churches preach social issues instead of the Gospel. If I enter a room with 5 people, 2 pro-life and 3 pro-choice and I speak about the evils of abortion, when I’m done I have 2 pro-life people and 3 angry pro-choice people. If I speak about the love of Jesus and his passion I have 2 pro-life and 3 pro-choice people but perhaps at least 1 is considering a change. We need to have more trust in the Gospels changing an immoral, unethical society than laws and politicians getting the job done.

I think there is a place for both. I would add that pro-life should mean standing up for life-means combatting not only abortion, euthanasia, contraception and stem cell research (if that is anti-life, I’m not yet sure where I stand on that one) but also poverty, war, injustice, abuse, hunger, homelessness and other evils that contribute to the death of millions around the world.