3 ms·

Something of this story reminds me of the famous Ozymandias poem. In a very real sense we are surrounded by the artifacts of a kingdom that no longer exists. I

Something of this story reminds me of the famous Ozymandias poem. In a very real sense we are surrounded by the artifacts of a kingdom that no longer exists. I think it is easy to feel the shock of massive and violent cultural revolutions like the ones that took place in some communist countries. It is another thing to watch the slow death of our own cultural heritage. Nothing is being forcefully taken from us and so it is hard to register that there is any loss happening at all. What I can say personally, is I have no desire whatsoever to join an elks club or odd fellows or anything of that sort. I find it hard to imagine any kind of institution that could replace the multitude of activities that constitutes a church.

deleted 3y ago
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01HNNWZ0MV43FF 3y ago
I guess I'm saying this as a young person who is part of the "Young people aren't joining churches" phenomenon: There are no activities that churches do, that appeal to me. That's why I didn't even stick with the local UU church. This does seem like a bad sign - I don't have connections to my own town, I don't feel like I'm thriving here, I'm getting by with pretty loose friendships with people who sometimes live in other towns, I don't have any connections with anyone outside my own age group. From another perspective, it's what I want. I like socializing with people my own age, who I've chosen to form small groups with, and not having to avoid that one person at church who believes in way more woo than I do. I don't really want a mutual aid network. If I have to move to a bigger city, maybe that's fine - Lots of people already moved out of my town... :(
- oxonia 3y ago
  What kind of activities could they do that would appeal to you (and other young people like you)?
  - 01HNNWZ0MV43FF 3y ago
    Nothing comes to mind. Honestly it might be an "it's not you, it's me" thing. I keep my optimism to myself and when people talk about spirituality, community, building connections, etc., I feel like they're about to sell me something. I recently got divorced and I'm sleeping around a bit. The social groups for sleeping around are rarely called churches. There's no Satanic Temple around here or I'd try visiting them. I saw that "Sacred Harp" a capella style posted here on HN a few weeks ago and it captured my interest. I like the idea that I wouldn't have to be a great singer, I could just be part of a bunch of people doing something for the sake of fun. But even the UU hymns feel too saccharine for me already.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

01HNNWZ0MV43FF 3y ago

I guess I'm saying this as a young person who is part of the "Young people aren't joining churches" phenomenon: There are no activities that churches do, that appeal to me. That's why I didn't even stick with the local UU church. This does seem like a bad sign - I don't have connections to my own town, I don't feel like I'm thriving here, I'm getting by with pretty loose friendships with people who sometimes live in other towns, I don't have any connections with anyone outside my own age group. From another perspective, it's what I want. I like socializing with people my own age, who I've chosen to form small groups with, and not having to avoid that one person at church who believes in way more woo than I do. I don't really want a mutual aid network. If I have to move to a bigger city, maybe that's fine - Lots of people already moved out of my town... :(

oxonia 3y ago
What kind of activities could they do that would appeal to you (and other young people like you)?
- 01HNNWZ0MV43FF 3y ago
  Nothing comes to mind. Honestly it might be an "it's not you, it's me" thing. I keep my optimism to myself and when people talk about spirituality, community, building connections, etc., I feel like they're about to sell me something. I recently got divorced and I'm sleeping around a bit. The social groups for sleeping around are rarely called churches. There's no Satanic Temple around here or I'd try visiting them. I saw that "Sacred Harp" a capella style posted here on HN a few weeks ago and it captured my interest. I like the idea that I wouldn't have to be a great singer, I could just be part of a bunch of people doing something for the sake of fun. But even the UU hymns feel too saccharine for me already.