Those teens who walk with God tend to have a big helping heart, too
Sarah Price
January 27, 2008
ALMOST a third of Australian teenagers do not have any religious beliefs, new research has revealed.
And academics from Monash University and the Australian Catholic University found those with serious spiritual and religious beliefs were likely to donate more money, participate more in their communities and be more concerned about their society than their non-religious counterparts.
The research showed 31 per cent of youths aged 13 to 17 were non-believers - a significant drop from previous generations.
"When you consider that such a large percentage of young people, four out of five, don't even do an hour a month of community service, that is of great concern for Australian society," said Australian Catholic University associate professor Ruth Webber, one of the paper's authors.
While there were no comparable figures to show the size of the drop of non-believers, anecdotally it was a big decline, she said.
The paper was presented at the International Conference on Children's Spirituality at that university's Ballarat campus last week. It forms part of a book, The Spirit Of Generation Y: Young People's Spirituality In A Changing Australia.
Researchers surveyed 1219 13- to 24-year-olds nationally. At least 47 per cent of those aged 13 to 17 identified themselves as Christians. About 15 per cent classified themselves as New Age and 7 per cent as having "other" beliefs.
Researchers found that active Christians rated helping others and social justice higher than other spirituality types and that teenagers serious about their spirituality were more likely to be volunteers. They were also more likely to be more generous when giving to charity.
Caitlyn Foster, 17, describes herself as an active Christian and voluntarily runs a stall for the Fair Trade organisation at her church every Saturday, selling products from India and South Africa. It turns over up to $800 a week. Profits go back to the people who make the products.
"It's a good use of our time," she said. "It benefits other people."
A University of Queensland study found that moving away from traditional beliefs to "trendy", self-focused religions was not making young adults happier.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/those-teens-who-walk-with-god-tend-to-have-a-big-helping-heart-too/2008/01/26/1201157739736.html
What a sad world we live in. But our own behaviour can certainly help. My mother got a phone call from a former student, he told her he was saved. She asked how it was that he knew she would care. He explained that it was the way she behaved and how she wouldn't let him swear, tell lies, etc. I believe it was her tremendous kindness that had a driving force in his decision. He was about 17 when she last taught him.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know the influence our actions have on other people. Often it is the things that we think are normal that have a big influence over other people, because they really aren't what the world calls "normal." Kindness, grace and holiness are certainly very uncommon, and can have a huge effect on people with whom we interact.
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