I posted yesterday too.

I am going to make up for my absence by posting at least one article a day.
This won't be an original post, but something I found off the internet. I will post something original tonight.

I found this article on World Net Daily and it is an amazingly written piece by a sage of his generation.
The author is a 16 year old boy who wrote an article about his generation. He actually has a regular column on WND and apparently he has already written a book. Wow. Anyway, read on.


Today's hedonist youth: Just looking for peace
Posted: December 4, 2004

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

Growing up as a teen in America seems to be an experiment in social anarchy – that is, if you hang out with the right people. Because of this, the problems arising are obvious. This generation is the topic of unending gossip and the target of endless public-awareness campaigns – from teen sex to drugs to abortion to pop culture, and all areas of morality.

America's youth are an amazing testament to Aristotle's idea of a human's imitative nature and even the biblical idea of self-awareness and unceasing comparisons. You mix these natures together with an increasing acceptance of all things, deviant or not, and you have a generation – mine – that is often compared to William Golding's "Lord of the Flies." Then, just for a little spice, throw in a society ruled by greedy CEOs, unimpeded – despite the laughable efforts of the FCC – in their marketing of all kinds of entertainment and products. What do you finally arrive at with this mix? Honesty. I'll explain.

Look at the characteristics that best define my generation: few restrictions, social anarchy, over-exposure to a shallow culture, little depth in education and unrestrained gratification of carnal desires (sex, drugs, etc). Basically, we do what we want. Thus, we come to a generation that is reminiscent of others, but bolder. There is no righteous mask to hide behind and no justification. This blatant behavior is not unique on a worldwide scale, but it is new within American history. It demands notice.

As we come to this place of increasing hedonism, at least we're honest with ourselves. We want escape from life's pain; we want comfort. We can't fool ourselves: We want rest from the problems. We are working out our redemption in the vanities of the world. This behavior leads to dissatisfaction. As the age old Christian belief goes, there is a void that must be filled.

Then, on the other end, there's Christian subculture. In an effort – which I'm sure is sincere – to reach a younger generation, we seem to be presented with leaders that dress up the Gospel to make it feel more appealing. This manifests itself in many ways. Instead of serious prayer, we throw a pizza party to spike the numbers on Wednesday night. Instead of real accountability and friendship, we go to the next big conference. We've got our 40 days for purpose, an endless parade of self-help books, concerts everywhere and events to get everyone excited. While there's nothing inherently wrong with some of the teaching in which we take part, the trends taking place within Christian subculture suggest unhealthy obsessions over the Next Big Thing. I realize the gross generalizations, but, if we're honest, this is the reality of Christian pop culture.

Unfortunately, in an effort to reach this group of people, we're getting it all wrong. True answers are never found in sensationalism, and depth does not reside in the Next Big Thing. And so, for refugees fleeing from the depravity and shallowness that is American pop culture, we offer them little more than watered-down truths and a sensational subculture that is frighteningly reminiscent of the greater American society.

Being controlled by greater culture is not a new deal within Church history. In the fourth and fifth centuries, and leading up to the Reformation, this behavior took place. Even so, historical precedent aside, our current predicament must be addressed.

We're all searching for peace. We're all searching for rest. Our actions are dominated by an overarching pursuit of paradise. I write because I desire acceptance. Just as some shoot heroine up their arm to escape pain, we're all pining for real life.

Groping around for God, we aren't pursuing seven principles to potential – that doesn't address the complexity of life. And if that's all Christianity is – a set of principles to give us morality – then it is not relevant.

There's a great book out by a guy named Donald Miller called "Blue Like Jazz," in which he discusses some of these ideas. He says he never liked jazz music because it doesn't resolve. Then, one night, he saw a man passionately playing his saxophone outside a theater in Portland. He liked jazz music after that. I think Donald Miller is right.

As deeply imitative creatures, someone has to show us the way. We see someone love God and we are drawn to love Him ourselves. That's where life is found, and that's all we need.




In "Seen and Heard," Kyle Williams takes on the establishment, offering clear evidence that a leftist agenda is at work in our nation. His lively, energetic analysis of current events is both informative and entertaining and will leave readers with a better understanding of the daily attacks against traditional family values. Order your copy now in ShopNetDaily.

Kyle Williams is 16 years old and a high school student living in central Oklahoma