Why Young People Are Fleeing Conservative Evangelicalism

[marmar]

RH Reality Check / By Eleanor J. Bader

Why Young People Are Fleeing Conservative Evangelicalism
Some leave because they oppose the church's doctrinal stance. Others are turned off by its hostility to science. Others reject the limitations placed on sex.

February 9, 2012 |


The results of a five-year study of the Millennial Generation—people born between 1982 and 1993—are in. Thanks to the Barna Group, a 28-year-old, California-based, Christian research firm, we now know that conservative evangelical churches are losing formerly–affiliated “young creatives:” Actors, artists, biologists, designers, mathematicians, medical students, musicians, and writers.

Some leave because they oppose the church’s doctrinal stance. Others are turned off by its hostility to science, and still others reject the limitations placed on permissible sexual activity. The report cites the tension felt by young adults who find it difficult—if not impossible—to remain “sexually pure,” especially since most heterosexuals don’t marry until their mid-to-late twenties. “Young Christians are as sexually active as their non-Christian peers,” Barna concludes. What’s more, the report admits that Millennials see the evangelical church as an exclusive club, open only to those who adhere to every rule. This runs counter to values that rank high on the Millennial playlist—among them, open-mindedness, tolerance, and support for diversity.

These findings, of course, don’t necessarily mean that young evangelicals are becoming progressively engaged, but they do suggest that an opening exists for prochoice, feminist, and pro-LGBTQ activists to touch the hearts and minds of Generation Y. Angela Ferrell-Zabala, director of Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom, a project of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, says that former Evangelicals are hungry for information about alternative faith and lifestyle options. “Technology has given Millennials access to philosophies and people from all over, and they tend to think in ways that are bigger than where they came from or how they were raised,“ she begins.” At the same time, “young folks are not necessarily throwing in the towel on their faith. They’re working to reconcile the pieces of their lives, asking, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is my place in the world?’“

The relationship between seemingly disparate issues, or intersectionality, holds great appeal to Millennials, Ferrell Zabala continues. “When we speak about reproductive justice we’re speaking about the whole person--being able to access jobs and higher education as well as contraception. When we talk about voter suppression or immigration, the conversation leads back to the choices a person is able to make.” And regardless of whether Millennials ultimately join a mainline Protestant church or live as atheists or agnostics, Ferrell-Zabala is adamant that the desire to respect others and be respected is of utmost importance to them. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/belief/154051/why_young_people_are_fleeing_conservative_evangelicalism_/

[xchrom]

1. i was wondering when this would happen.

it's a smothering atmosphere -- and another world for those caught up in it -- is so close at hand.

[TheMastersNemesis]

2. Put On Your Tennis Shoes And Run

I had a fellow handwriting analyst friend years ago who would say "put on your tennis shoes and run" when looking a certain bad handwritings. The youth should do this from the evangelical movement. The best way to deny them their politics is just not join conservative and religious organizations.

[baldguy]

3. Because they're smart.

[liberal N proud]

4. Young people see the difference between religion and faith

They are tired of the oppression of the churches and see hypocricy in so many places within the organization.

They just don't want to put up with it.

[AlbertCat]

17. Young people see the difference between religion and faith

Now if we can just teach them the difference between faith and rational thinking.

[NC_Nurse]

5. Hypocritical, sanctimonious prudes aren't very attractive. who knew?

[bemildred]

6. It's a big shock the first time the "Pastor" puts the make on you.

Very alienating.

[meow2u3]

7. There's another reason: rebellion against overbearing authority

No self-respecting person, young or old, will tolerate being ruled with an iron fist for very long.

I was assigned C.S. Lewis' book, Mere Christianity in freshman English class and he wrote that excessively religious (read: fundamentalist) homes provoke rebellion in young people, as depicted in many movies.

The trouble with conservative evangelicalism is that not only does it have no tolerance for different faiths, but also its entire doctrine leaves no room for human error or human free will. In other words, they rule by fear as a counterfeit for respect.

[MustBeTheBooz]

16. Conservative evangelicalism = NO tolerance

Been there. I know. Unfortunately.

[Atypical Liberal]

8. Another huge reason: THE INTERNET

People born between 1982 and 1993 were born into the era of the internet and online communications.

By the time these people hit puberty at 10 it was 1992 to 2003. These people now have access to a global pool of people to talk to every day, and they do. They are not constrained by the societal norms of just the people their family surrounds them with. They are surrounded by the societal norms of the entire country, of the entire world.

They gain a much different perspective that way.

[kemah]

10. Education alway beat bigotry

The more educated and more the young people become aware of other thoughts and ideas, the more liberal they become. The GOP base has never traveled outside this country and believe that we are the greatest country. We are not, Cuba has a higher literacy rate than the US, Europe has a much better transportation system.

I was traveling in Germany and a young German told me that they had something better than guns. What could be better than guns, I thought. He said the autobahn was better than guns. Where you have unlimited speeds. I have since asked young American Texan men about, what would they rather have guns or be able to go down the interstate at over 200 miles per hour. Speed always wins. Nothing like going across the Galveston causeway at 200 plus and it being legal.

[markpkessinger]

21. Or, to put it another way . . .

"It's hard to keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen gay Paris!"

[kemah]

9. The Dark Ages

The dark ages was a period of time where the church had the biggest influence on mankind. Once that influence was broken than mankind was able to flourish. Remember the church has always been anti science, believed in torturing to get people to confess about being witches, and exploited their own for monetary and political gain.
The same thing is happening today but people are more educated and have social media to contact others, and are not so isolated.

[patrice]

13. +1

[MANative]

11. Because they aren't fetus fetishists?

You can be moral, educated, principled, and live in the real world after all. Who'da thunk?

[patrice]

12. They are freeing their hearts and that is a good thing. nt

[MustBeTheBooz]

14. I blame Kevin Smith. Dogma anyone?

[zentrum]

15. They can't stand the hypocricy.

They have some "critical thinking" chops and can't overlook the cruelty in church elders towards "outsiders", combined the church's lack of following the (socialist) teachings and example of Jesus.

[thelordofhell]

18. The "Evangelical Spring"

Go technology!!

[Doctor_J]

19. It probably also doesn't help having sluts like Gingrinch and Palin passing judgement

Seriously, WTF is with Gingrinch commenting on peoples' morals? Doesn't he realize how stupid that looks?

[Doctor_J]

20. An offshoot of this ibservation is how screwed up the ones who remain actually are

We're talking serious emotional problems for the young fundies.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

22. Original sin destroys people. Absolutely destroys them.

This is why ANY form of Christianity is psychologically destructive and evil. The starting premise of Christianity is original sin. If you don't have original sin, you have no need for substitutionary atonement. It is a made up solution to an imaginary problem (original sin).

Original sin is a LIE.

Read "Healing the Shame that Binds You" by John Bradshaw, Ph.D. and ex-Jesuit priest.

[Iliyah]

23. Why Young People are fleeing Conservative Evangelicalism

CAUSE they are crazy - LOL

[rocktivity]

24. Which might explain why Obama got 30% of the evangelical vote in '08.

"Embarrassed evangelicals," I called them.

[progressoid]

25. Because of the musical stylings of Justin Bieber.

[MADem]

26. Three words: No damn fun. nt

[Kennah]

27. They realized conservatives evangelicals were fucking them ...

... so now they've left to seek a partner to whom they are attracted.