Rethinking Christianity at Christmas time

One of my very best resources for information is the Barna Group, a very good research organization that follows the trends in Christian churches. I always find high-quality research compelling. Over and over again, Barna information jars me into reality.

Teenagers and young adults in their 20s are rethinking Christianity. It is a startling trend that is verified by hard and extensive research. They are quietly making their decisions with their feet. They are leaving.

The huge wave of exodus is being led by two large groups. Leading the way is the new generation of the science-minded. We are talking about the new generation of engineers, mathematicians, scientific researchers, medical practitioners and other science-based professionals. In looking at the Barna research, I was not surprised by this dynamic. As a nation, we have pushed math and science in our educational systems to a point of absurdity. The crucial measurements of success have focused on math and science. I looked at the research and strongly suspect that science and religion have confronted each other and science has come out on top.

The second group that is leading the exodus caught me by surprise. Our young musicians, designers, artists, actors and writers are leaving churches as rapidly as their science-based cohorts. This is the group to whom we have historically looked to set the standards for society's values and ethics. While the science-based professionals have led our heads, the poets, musicians and artists have led our consciences and hearts.

Today, about one-half of churches' young people say they are headed toward science-based professions. About one-fifth of our young people say they are headed toward arts-based professions. Seventy percent of our churches' young people from whom we would expect leadership are massively heading down life's path without religion as a serious companion.

Overall, 84 percent of this crucial age group is leaving church behind.

As I pondered this seemingly overwhelming trend among our young people, my mind first went to our youth and I asked, "What is going on?" Very quickly my mind left our youth and focused on Christian churches and asked the same question.

Barna research shows a high level of ignorance exists among young people about Bible, theology and church. The faiths that are being left behind were in trouble from the beginning. Churches and religious families have not been doing an effective job of passing their faith to the next generation.

Public schools have been trying desperately to update educational methods. Churches are stuck on Sunday schools and catechisms that have not been updated in decades or possibly centuries. Congregations continue to sing old songs with bad theology, and their new music is devoid of meaningful theology.

Sermons are patronizing and unrelated to everyday life. Churches come across as judgmental, exclusive and anti-intellectual. Churches are not friendly places for those who have doubts. Churches refuse to talk about sexuality at a time when sexuality is a prime societal concern.

Our young people, trained to do critical thinking, have some good reasons to be leaving paternalistic churches.

The Barna research and Advent season converged in my attention. Advent is one of the essential observances of Christian churches. It is the great birthday celebration of the one we Christians call Lord.

The Christmas story is embedded in Christian tradition. It is affirmed by churches that place a high priority on tradition. The Christmas story is reinforced by Christian Fundamentalists who embrace the Bible as literally true and beyond critical study. The Christmas pageantry gives us all some warm fuzzies.

Young people and the traditional Christmas story are on a collision course. Our young people are being trained to do critical thinking and are thoroughly exposed to values and information contrary to the teachings of many churches. They have access to information that puts the Christmas celebration in a different light.

The Internet and PBS specials reveal what ministers are taught in non-Fundamentalist seminaries. Jesus was not born in Bethlehem. He was more likely to have been born in Nazareth. The shepherds and the wise men are fictional. Jesus and his family made no hurried trip to Egypt. The birth narratives found in Matthew and Luke have no historical basis and were written two generations after the death of Jesus.

Computers and the Internet are producing a different kind of young person. Other factors play complementary roles of change. Accelerated education, one-parent households, expanded recreational opportunities, changing sexual standards and understanding, delayed parenthood and expanded awareness all play a factor, but computers and the Internet have put our young people in a fast-forward mode that demands our churches' attention.

Young people are becoming something the world has never seen before. Darlene and I have eight grandchildren who fall into the age group of which I have been writing. They are all good, exciting young people. I believe that churches are capable of radical change. I covet churches that can head into the future hand-in-hand with these young folk.

Just now, churches have some catching up to do. Our young people are running well ahead of us.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.

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