“Melissa, 20, who says, ‘I couldn’t care less how I am viewed by society. I live my life according to the morals, views, and standards that I create.”
I think that religion has most definitely effected my GenMe life and can't say I know someone who hasn't been in some way touched by religion. I think the true reason that Jean Twenge did not include religion in her book is because the lines of religion are no longer clearly drawn with GenMe. She couldn't give a survey to show the effects of religion because it is to all-encompassing to measure. Although some neighborhood We are no longer defined by which religion we are and how much we attend service. We are consistently being effected by a multitude of religions through all our interactions with those of a different religion than our own. Which has created a world of ProChoice-Catholic and bacon-eating-Jews. A survey could never fully measure the effects a multitude of religions has on a
This attitude is not uncommon among Gen Me. I also, believe I live my life according to the morals, views, and standards I create. Simultaneously, I am a practicing Roman Catholic.
Many older Catholics would see these two ideas as incompatible but I have been able to find common ground through the Roman Catholic's support of conscientious objections through informed dissent. Informed consent although completely supported by the church in writing is often brushed over by popular lectures and preaching and I acknowledge that if I had not gone to a Catholic high school I may be completely unaware of this teaching completely even though I attend a weekly service.
It doesn't take a genius to guess why the Catholic church doesn't advertise the “disagreement clause “within Catholicism. Although it does make the religion seem much more inviting. Even teachers at my Catholic school would admit to informed dissent on issues such as gay acceptance, gay marriage, cohabitation, and other issues. GenMe could clearly see the individual attitude in this kind of religious “adherence.” Some will judge and call this being a “Cafeteria Catholic” because you are only taking what you want from Church doctrine and leaving the teachings that might be more difficult- you know the love your enemies kind of things. GenMe has come into a world where your religion can be customized just like the playlists
Like myself, many "GenMe"ers have adopted this new definition of what religion is or can be, across all denominations. Possibly the best examples of religion with out rules is Non-denominational Christians. Non-denominational Christians emphasize scriptural and personal conscience. They rely little on tradition or others opinions in regards to their church or faith. All Non-denominational Christian communities are different because their practices are mostly determined by their members and their members personal interpretations of the bible. If GenMe was embodied in a religion Non-denominational Christian would have to be considered.
Overall I think Jean Twenge didn't choose to not include religion. She never had the option to begin with. There is no way she could truly determine religions effects on anyone. Would Jean Twenge's survey have asked it's participants “Have any of your opinions changed about any modern issue because of a friend or acquaintance of a differing religion than your own?” The question is so broad that all people, if not an outrageous majority, would need to answer yes after thoughtful consideration of the question. Therefore religion surely effects GenMe more than can be measured, but it does not define us because most definitive lines in religion are no longer drawing boundaries that were former held so dear.
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