The Millennial generation covers those born roughly between 1977-2000...(Yes, I am a part of that age range.) I thought I would list some of the characteristics for this generation from the article since most of you fall in that age as well. Let me know what you think.
Here are some characteristics of Millennials:
- They perceive religion to be a choice and not an obligation
- Religious labels, including denominational identifications, are relatively unimportant to them.
- They are typically tolerant of other people's beliefs and, in fact, enjoy the variety of different religious practices that they see on campus.
- Religious authority is internal rather than located in some external source, such as the hierarchy of a church.
- They see more value in reigious experience than in a codified set of beliefs.
- They affirm the idea of being on a religious journey rather than embracing a static set of beliefs and practices.
- If they join a religious group, they are more interested in the authenticity of the people-their honesty, openness, and humility-than they are in an authoritarian presentation of the truth.
- They have no problem being eclectic in their religious taste, which sometimes includes creating their own hybrid religious identities.
- They want to make a difference in the world and therefore believe that religion should address issues of justice and equality.
I was happy to see the word "authenticity" in the article, as it is a staple for this generation. Not to mention the reason behind this blog and our college-age ministry called, "authentic"!
I am interested in your comments about any of these bullet points. Keepin' it real with you, so you can be real with me.
6 comments:
that sounds pretty accurate of today's society in that age group. i'm not sure i understand what the 4th one means though...
i love donald miller! well, at least his book "blue like jazz" i don't know him personally...though, i might have given him a hug once? hahaha. but really.
also....it's really interesting that you posted this...cause i've been thinking about this stuff lately, as you know.
hmm..what i think of the article...(if i read it correctly). i think that people today in our age group...are so sick of religion. they're sick of the 'side dish' part of the deal that we come to know as 'CHRISTIANITY' when...that's not even IT. People want the main course.
i want the main course. who doesn't?
haha, sorry if this is confusing...
"They perceive religion to be a choice and not an obligation"
I like that too, in my soc. class we had a discussion about something (i really can't remember) and somewhere in the discussion people started to chime in about how they rebelled from being Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish and other religions/denominations. (i was pretty amazed at the diversity)...and i realized the reasons WHY they rebelled were because of the 'practices'. and how they felt OBLIGED to do these from parents and others.
so it wasn't aunthentic. at all.
sorry this is long, it's hard to keep my comments short sometimes.
but those bullet points are pretty much the bulls-eye for our generation. i would think so anyway.
Great idea, Jason. Would you welcome other contributors to the blog as well?
Brandon
Welcome to blog world. I think it's great you started this. I've seen this list before I think it's pretty accurate. I love that this age is seeking authenticity, don't love the tolerance. At least not if by tolerance they mean there are more than one way to heaven or God loves us, so won't punish us...
i vote that this article is definetly very accurate. it is frusterating when people say 'i dont know care what other people think, i know what i believe and thats fine with me' thats frusterating because where is sharing the Word?? where is shining God's light in that statement? if they are just going to keep it to themselves and accept whatever anyone else believes because its easier to just say ok, then stick up for what you believe. BUT i think today, everyone is sick of how they grew up in a 'everything is perfect' generation and how no one ever talked about anything bad that is going on. especially in our families. a lot of our parents are like that...keep everything to yourself. and i think our generation is starting a new movement almost. of saying...ok we all know everything isnt perfect so spill it. be authentic. be real. be you. and i think thats awesome. and i think what will be even more awesome is when we all start having kids [or for those that already do have them] and raise our kids with them knowing its OK to be real and to be honest and authentic in everything they do/say. and i think the world will be a much more real, honest, and of course..authentic world. thats my 2 cents. sorry its long =)
Thanks for making me feel old "most of you fall in this range". And then even older since all 4 of my kids were born before 2000. Ugh! I AM YOUNG! I will just keep telling myself that.
Smiles!
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