Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)
3. I would tend to disagree... unless...
Tue Apr 22, 2014, 06:51 AM
Apr 2014

religious leaders get more 'Francis-like'. I see a lot of disillusionment with 'organized' religion, not only because many of them push messages that are intolerant or anti-human, but also because they're so frequently hypocritical.

What could 'win back' younger generations to organized religion? Ditch the 'anti' messages, play up the positives of social and economic justice and equality and environmental stewardship. There are a lot of younger people who might not like 'woo' as you put it (and what the heck is it with DU and 'woo'? I'd seen the term before, but it seems to be a fixture on here of late.) but would be interested in working with groups focusing on helping the poor, preserving the environment, and similar social issues.

Just leave the hate and intolerance behind. Young people are savvy enough to realize that parts of the Bible might have had a value two millennia ago, but have been outgrown since. We've gotten a handle on trichinosis - there's no need to avoid eating pig (unless you're avoiding eating meat entirely, which is also cool), we've learned how to safely cook and eat various 'non-scaled' sea critters, there's no more need to 'be fruitful and multiply' (there are now probably too many of us), and we don't need the degree of utter conformity and respect for authority that might have been of more use in allowing small societies to survive in an age when groups would wipe each other entirely off the map. We can tolerate, and even embrace diversity to make us stronger in an age when genocidal acts are infrequent.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Then their kids will simply TM99 Apr 2014 #1
While I think your theory on this is valid, I am also seeing, cbayer Apr 2014 #2
I also see it on college campuses TM99 Apr 2014 #5
I also think the language is going to have to change. cbayer Apr 2014 #9
I would tend to disagree... unless... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #3
I think you and I do agree. TM99 Apr 2014 #4
In part, yes. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #6
Organized religion is a big category. TM99 Apr 2014 #8
I don't know that that will be the case Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #11
I know lots of individual cases such as yours TM99 Apr 2014 #14
anecdotal Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #28
My children are third generation atheists. Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #15
Anecdotal. TM99 Apr 2014 #16
The internet. JNelson6563 Apr 2014 #7
Excellent point in terms of how the internet has changed socialization cbayer Apr 2014 #10
I believe that children coming out of school now Goblinmonger Apr 2014 #12
That is such an elitist attitude. Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #17
Perhaps I was lucky. JNelson6563 Apr 2014 #29
Do you recall what forum that was? cbayer Apr 2014 #30
Another thing that really impacts the ability to have a discussion... trotsky Apr 2014 #31
It died long ago, sadly. JNelson6563 Apr 2014 #32
There are some thoughtful and lengthy discussion here, cbayer Apr 2014 #33
I think you bring up a key point: trotsky Apr 2014 #13
I think they may likely coalesce around various groups that fit their social/ethical/moral viewpoint pinto Apr 2014 #18
I agree with you. cbayer Apr 2014 #19
And I think millenials are more likely to refashion religion instead of vica versa. pinto Apr 2014 #20
That is what I am seeing as well. cbayer Apr 2014 #21
While I agree about religions impact on the issues mentioned edhopper Apr 2014 #22
That has clearly been the trend over the past 30 years, but cbayer Apr 2014 #23
One would hope edhopper Apr 2014 #24
OWS had strong participation from religious groups and people. cbayer Apr 2014 #25
Yes edhopper Apr 2014 #26
Nice talking to you, edhopper. cbayer Apr 2014 #27
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»If millennials leave reli...»Reply #3