Most adolescents reject a biblical worldview

Christian Post, by Ryan Foley, on Oct. 23 2023, https://www.christianpost.com/news/most-kids-dont-believe-cornerstone-beliefs-of-biblical-worldview.html

The Non-Prophets, Episode 22.45.4 featuring Kelley Laughlin, Cindy Plaza, Jimmy Jr. and Aaron Jensen

To start, Jimmy Jr. shares a study indicating that only 3% of kids aged 8 to 12 embrace all seven cornerstones of a Biblical worldview. These cornerstones include beliefs in God, sin, and trusting the Bible. The panelists, including Kelley, Cindy, Jimmy, and Aaron, express their thoughts on the study.

Kelley emphasizes the harmful aspect of the belief that individuals are sinners by choice, calling it illogical and damaging on a psychological level. He highlights the victim-blaming aspect, sharing a personal experience of someone being harmed due to their parents' religious beliefs.

Cindy criticizes the indoctrination of religion in children, suggesting that forbidding religious teachings before the age of 18 could lead to the disappearance of religion in a couple of generations. She advocates for protecting children by providing them access to diverse education, making it more palatable and accessible.

Jimmy critiques the inconsistency in religious teachings and notes that children, exposed to a variety of ideas through the internet, are recognizing these inconsistencies. He believes the internet plays a significant role in exposing children to different perspectives and contributing to their departure from religious beliefs.

Aaron attributes the decline in religious adherence to increased knowledge and education. He mentions the impact of the internet in challenging dogmatic beliefs and praises the trend towards considering oneself spiritual rather than strictly religious. The panelists collectively express optimism about the decreasing influence of religion, citing better education and exposure to diverse ideas as key factors.

Aaron shares a nuanced perspective on the study's findings, acknowledging that while the numbers aren't as low as he'd prefer, he finds encouragement in the overall decline of adherence to traditional beliefs. He specifically notes his concern about the 69% who still believe in God, expressing a wish for a lower percentage and highlighting the lack of evidence for God's existence. Despite this concern, Aaron remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from historical trends where truth has prevailed over time.

In summary, the panelists believe that children are increasingly rejecting traditional religious teachings due to better education, exposure to diverse perspectives through the internet, and a recognition of the inconsistencies in religious dogma. They emphasize the need to protect children from harmful beliefs and promote accessible education. The overall tone is optimistic about the evolving landscape of religious beliefs.


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