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Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

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Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#11

Post by zeroCalories »

bell-cot wrote: post #5

> About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power, up from about one-quarter in 2021, according to a recent survey of young adults. So - "Religious Faith is Surging..." seems an extremely optimistic spin on that. (The article does point out how crappy the world and future have seemed for young people in recent years. And the supposed "There are no atheists in fox…

I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#12

Post by IKLOL »

dokem wrote: post #9
Uzomidy wrote: post #6

The article is a misrepresentation, apparently "believe in a higher power or God" has risen somewhat. This is different from excitement about organized religion , which seems to be less of a thing, not more.

It's the opposite for me personally. While I still wouldn't say I believe in a tangible god or higher power in any meaningful way, I have come to grow more of an interest and appreciation for religion, specifically christianity, as I've gotten older. I'll never be a bible freak but I would like to, one day, be able to say I honestly believe in (a) god. I'm not sure what that means exactly, and it could be wrong, but…

You can become a Christian right now.

1. Admit you are a sinner, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10-12, 1 John 1:10, James 2:10

2. Realize the penalty for sin, which is death, hell, and eternal separation from God - Revelation 21:8, Romans 6:23, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9, James 1:15

3. Believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to pay for your sin - 1 John 2:2, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43 Romans 5:8, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24, John 3:16, John 10:28, John 6:47, John 11:26, 1 Timothy 1:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 6:11

4. Trust Jesus Christ alone as your savior, nothing else - Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 11:6, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23

Pray this prayer:

"Dear Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve to go to hell, but I believe you died on the cross for me and rose again. Please save me right now and give me eternal life. I'm only trusting in you Jesus, Amen."

And if you believed this in your heart, you're now saved and have the Holy Spirit. First of all, rejoice because you've passed from death to life through the power of Jesus Christ and he will NEVER leave nor forsake you, no matter what. This is why "Gospel" means "good news". You have absolute freedom, and power over death through Jesus. The Holy Spirit will guide you into more understanding as you read the scripture, but you should first focus on knowing the person of Jesus. Jesus is also in the Old Testament symbolically and literally.

The important thing to note is that Christianity is not just doing good things, about turning your life around, etc. Christianity is first about believing the promise of God and His finished work on the cross, and then those good works can follow (but they don't have to, some are saved without works - Romans 4:5). We don't do work for Jesus or become obedient to him because we must to be saved, we do it out of love because we ARE saved.

And once you're saved, you're saved. There is no bad deed you could do to lose it, because there was no good deed you could do to earn it. Jesus says he will never leave nor forsake you, and he means it, and his promises are good forever and always.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#13

Post by noworriesnate »

dokem wrote: post #9
Uzomidy wrote: post #6

The article is a misrepresentation, apparently "believe in a higher power or God" has risen somewhat. This is different from excitement about organized religion , which seems to be less of a thing, not more.

It's the opposite for me personally. While I still wouldn't say I believe in a tangible god or higher power in any meaningful way, I have come to grow more of an interest and appreciation for religion, specifically christianity, as I've gotten older. I'll never be a bible freak but I would like to, one day, be able to say I honestly believe in (a) god. I'm not sure what that means exactly, and it could be wrong, but…

I can sympathize with this. My journey is slightly different but it does feel like the world is changing like it never changed in my life before. For me personally this was due to ripple effects from COVID / shutdowns / vaccine policy etc. I know several other people who are in the same boat.

Edit: wanted to say, good luck on your journey! And I hope we meet in paradise or Valhalla or whatever you want to call it.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#15

Post by shrimp_emoji »

zeroCalories wrote: post #11
bell-cot wrote: post #5

> About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power, up from about one-quarter in 2021, according to a recent survey of young adults. So - "Religious Faith is Surging..." seems an extremely optimistic spin on that. (The article does point out how crappy the world and future have seemed for young people in recent years. And the supposed "There are no atheists in fox…

I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder i…

Yep. Most of my friends' lives are hell. Psychological issues and no money for therapy is the recurring theme. Few turned to religion but some to extreme politics. They're definitely the two most potent opiates (besides drugs, which they also embrace). :c

>if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past

Haha. Handmaid's Tale, burka edition.

I'm betting that remains in the real of redpiller fantasy.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#16

Post by IKLOL »

zeroCalories wrote: post #11
bell-cot wrote: post #5

> About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power, up from about one-quarter in 2021, according to a recent survey of young adults. So - "Religious Faith is Surging..." seems an extremely optimistic spin on that. (The article does point out how crappy the world and future have seemed for young people in recent years. And the supposed "There are no atheists in fox…

I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder i…

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" - Psalm 34:18 KJV

Seeking God is not a coping mechanism. Terrible things in our lives simply open up our hearts to God's word, and help us recognize our sin nature and seek God. Then when you realize it's as simple as believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death, and you can defeat death and sin as well, then of course it would seem like a no brainer, because it is! It's the greatest news ever, that we can be reconciled to God and have a direct relationship with the creator of everything.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#17

Post by thenerdhead »

Surge of faith, not religious faith. Spiritual faith has definitely increased. Religious affiliation not so much.

We thrive as human beings and as families not by what faith we happen to hold, but by having faith in something far greater than ourselves. - John Bogle

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#18

Post by enterprise_cog »

IKLOL wrote: post #16
zeroCalories wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder i…

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" - Psalm 34:18 KJV Seeking God is not a coping mechanism. Terrible things in our lives simply open up our hearts to God's word, and help us recognize our sin nature and seek God. Then when you realize it's as simple as believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death, and you can defeat death and sin as well, then of course it would seem like a no brainer, becau…

Sounds like coping to me.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#19

Post by seattle_spring »

shrimp_emoji wrote: post #15
zeroCalories wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a late melinial, and anecdotally I've noticed that a few atheist friends have become religious. They generally have unfortunate live, and it obviously seems like a way to cope. When not religion, some of them embrace extreme politics. If life is getting harder and society more psychopathic, it makes sense to me that religion is making a comeback. Doubt it will get to levels we had before, but it makes me wonder i…

Yep. Most of my friends' lives are hell. Psychological issues and no money for therapy is the recurring theme. Few turned to religion but some to extreme politics. They're definitely the two most potent opiates (besides drugs, which they also embrace). :c > if political Islam is a glimpse into the future instead of the past Haha. Handmaid's Tale, burka edition. I'm betting that remains in the real of redpiller fantas…

Religion and extreme politics seem to go hand-in-hand.

Re: Religious Faith Is Surging Among Young People

#20

Post by IKLOL »

enterprise_cog wrote: post #18
IKLOL wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" - Psalm 34:18 KJV Seeking God is not a coping mechanism. Terrible things in our lives simply open up our hearts to God's word, and help us recognize our sin nature and seek God. Then when you realize it's as simple as believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death, and you can defeat death and sin as well, then of course it would seem like a no brainer, becau…

Sounds like coping to me.

Actually it might be, but we shouldn't give it the negative connotation "coping mechanism". That suggests that there's no inner change and that it's just a coat of paint in someone's life. God helps us cope because His promises are tangible, true, and good. It's a lot deeper than a "mechanism", it's a change of heart.
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