5 ms·

Just because younger people don't worship God doesn't mean they don't worship other things now, their new God is consumerism and their new Gurus and guides are

Just because younger people don't worship God doesn't mean they don't worship other things now, their new God is consumerism and their new Gurus and guides are celebrities and pornstars

amriksohata 8y ago
People are comparing my comment as if the modern day of celeb worship has no problems, yes we don't have girls in churches but instead girls with massive image and body issues, or depression caused by use of social media etc. Yeh sure we have less doctrines and more rights but are we actually happier?
magic_beans 8y ago
It's not like young people are praying to Kim Kardashian for a healthy crop season.
- musage 8y ago
  Ever heard of RNGesus? And how often have you seen the "worship the guru" gesture seen used half-jokingly around tech or gamedev luminaries? How often do you hear "technology" referred to as if it's some actual resource or active entity, not to mention savior? Ever heard of followers of YouTube/whatever personalities [sic] going on crusades against the heathen followers of someone else? That said, of course it's not "the young people" who came up with consumerism. But that doesn't mean it can't go on or get worse. I know externally derived identification when I see it, and at most "these days" the consumption became more virtual. No precious metals or fine clothes thank you very much, certainly no space to live, and no nature to enjoy -- just feuding rap artists, game and movie fans of "brands" and "franchises". Come to think of it... 30 years ago nobody would have said "I like the Star Wars franchise", it would have been "the Star Wars movies". No religious cults you say, but explain the ocean of Kool-Aid. "Hunting achievements", collecting virtual trinkets, and likes for photos. Sure, you can say it's totally different. But to me that's like Evangelical Christians talking about how they don't have a religion, but a relationship to Jesus Christ etc. Call it however you want.
- coldtea 8y ago
  No, they're just looking up to her for lifestyle guidance...
arconis987 8y ago
According to Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now, younger people have emancipative views at a higher rate than older generations. They tend to support their LGBT friends and family, same sex marriage, gender and race pay equality, immigration, and other ideas that are meant to increase the freedoms of marginalized groups. Not all religions oppose these things, but the organizations that most fervently oppose these things today often do so for religious reasons. This may be one explanation for why religious adherence is diminishing among younger people.
efnx 8y ago
This is the premise of Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”. You’re right in some sense, I think. Young people may have somewhat replaced their parent’s faith based beliefs with their own - in this case it could be something like “if I engage in celebrity worship I could become a celebrity myself”. Even if that were true, it’s more likely to come true than their parents beliefs!

Just because younger people don't worship God doesn't mean they don't worship other things now, their new God is consumerism and their new Gurus and guides are celebrities and pornstars

amriksohata 8y ago

People are comparing my comment as if the modern day of celeb worship has no problems, yes we don't have girls in churches but instead girls with massive image and body issues, or depression caused by use of social media etc. Yeh sure we have less doctrines and more rights but are we actually happier?

magic_beans 8y ago

It's not like young people are praying to Kim Kardashian for a healthy crop season.

musage 8y ago
Ever heard of RNGesus? And how often have you seen the "worship the guru" gesture seen used half-jokingly around tech or gamedev luminaries? How often do you hear "technology" referred to as if it's some actual resource or active entity, not to mention savior? Ever heard of followers of YouTube/whatever personalities [sic] going on crusades against the heathen followers of someone else? That said, of course it's not "the young people" who came up with consumerism. But that doesn't mean it can't go on or get worse. I know externally derived identification when I see it, and at most "these days" the consumption became more virtual. No precious metals or fine clothes thank you very much, certainly no space to live, and no nature to enjoy -- just feuding rap artists, game and movie fans of "brands" and "franchises". Come to think of it... 30 years ago nobody would have said "I like the Star Wars franchise", it would have been "the Star Wars movies". No religious cults you say, but explain the ocean of Kool-Aid. "Hunting achievements", collecting virtual trinkets, and likes for photos. Sure, you can say it's totally different. But to me that's like Evangelical Christians talking about how they don't have a religion, but a relationship to Jesus Christ etc. Call it however you want.
coldtea 8y ago
No, they're just looking up to her for lifestyle guidance...

arconis987 8y ago

According to Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now, younger people have emancipative views at a higher rate than older generations. They tend to support their LGBT friends and family, same sex marriage, gender and race pay equality, immigration, and other ideas that are meant to increase the freedoms of marginalized groups. Not all religions oppose these things, but the organizations that most fervently oppose these things today often do so for religious reasons. This may be one explanation for why religious adherence is diminishing among younger people.

efnx 8y ago

This is the premise of Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”. You’re right in some sense, I think. Young people may have somewhat replaced their parent’s faith based beliefs with their own - in this case it could be something like “if I engage in celebrity worship I could become a celebrity myself”. Even if that were true, it’s more likely to come true than their parents beliefs!