“Religion is not the key to happiness in your heart,” said 17 year old Josh Holcomb of LaGuardia High School’s Christian Seekers Club in New York City. Many may wonder, “Then what is it?” Religion, being one of the world’s most talked about topics, has an enormous affect on people—teens in particular. Some of them are confused, yet some sure. Sure of what exactly? A collection of theories, ideas and traditions that might have been true but are used to fit society’s various agendas? Then there are some teens who express their ideas about religion in a nonchalant manner. Through my studies I’ve encountered a diversity of skeptical religious teens and assured believers as well as nonbelievers.
At the well-known Islamic Cultural Center on Third Avenue, I was greeted with a warm “Salem Ma Laicum” by a group of kids studying the holy Qur’an. The class, full to maximum, was occupied with kids from different ethnicities. I observed as people all over the prayer room bowed down in prayer, while infants ran around the room jovially.
Islam is a religion of many. Eleven year old Hanan Shaker, who attends the mosque two times a week, said, “I’m proud of my religion and how I follow it.” As a Muslim you are to believe in the holy Qur’an, follow Allah’s teachings and pray five times a day. Islam enforces the act of showing honor, nobility, distinction and virtue. The Islamic teachings forbid drinking, eating meat, adultery, fornication, fighting and quarreling. Though the negative press has blamed the military’s violence on Islam, all Muslims are not destructive. In fact, in the Islam religion, dignity is considered moral excellence.
The teens at the mosque were quite knowledgeable about their religion. Their presence did not seem forced. Actually, they looked really comfortable there. It was quite interesting that none of the kids in the mosque seemed to question their faith. For example one teen commented, “I have no questions actually.”
In contrast, majority of Christian teens question their faith. Christianity, not being based on earning God’s favor, but accepting Christ for eternal life, has a history of contradictory claims. About half of the teens I’ve surveyed, question the theory of Jesus and God being one. If that claim were true, according to “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel, Jesus would have to have all the qualities of God. Jesus would have to be omniscience, omnipresence, eternal and immutable. And he was, according to Christian’s interpretation of the bible.
He had:
Omniscience (all knowing) Omnipresence (everywhere)
-“Now we understand that you know “And be sure of this: I am
Everything and don’t need anyone with you always even to
to tell you anything. From this we the end of age.”(Matthew 28:18)
Believe you came from God. (John 16:30)
Omnipotence (all powerful) Eternality (no beginning or end)
“I have been given complete authority “In the beginning the Word already
In heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) existed; He was with God and He
was God.” (John 1:1)
Although there is evidence that religion is a set of principles that were man-made, many Christian teens view their religion as a relationship with God. As a Christian you are to accept Jesus Christ as your savior to become closer to God because he died for mankind’s sins, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” (John 14:6) By accepting Christ, Christians have found the word of the Lord. With time, the approval of Christ gives you direction, perspective and hope.
The term, “Jesus saved my life,” may sound stereotypical, but if you heard Jasmine Manigault’s story, you might believe in clichés. Jasmine 18, from Midtown has a huge amount of strength for someone who was abused, both verbally and physically, raped and in foster care. Two years ago, she joined a youth Christian program called Student Venture. For months, she would deliberately walk past the Student Venture recruiters, but one day she went and it changed her life.
She accepted Christ and she feels it changed her attitude, mind and soul. Her once shattered relationship with her mother became better, she forgave all of her enemies and most importantly, she became closer to God. The false/man made ideas may contradict a believers’ faith, but empowering stories like Jasmine’s might reinforce hope.
One major aspect of Christianity is that Jesus knows that humans are sinful and he embraces that by offering forgiveness. Not only Christianity and Islam have moral codes. Every religion has a different set of morals that helps shape society, but do you need religion to enforce good morals?
Secular humanist, Rick Riley doesn’t think so. In the Atheist community, religion is not the only way to lead productive lives. “I believe that all religions are equally false,” says Riley. The conflict of religion burdens many. Some religions totally contradict the message that God wants his believers to know. One of the philosophies of Atheism is that people don’t have to be religious to be moral. Naturalistic, Alon Levy, 19 believes that the world is a closed system and there is no need for supernatural explanations to explain the universe or morality. Because who knows what is moral or immoral? There is not one document that everyone agrees on. Immorality in the Atheist community is basically anything that causes harm or hindrance to anyone. While in other religions, morality varies.
The cliché that all Atheists are malicious is completely inaccurate. Furthermore, many Atheists are actually wise individuals. Generally, Atheists are nonbelievers because of the lack of substantial evidence, not because they are ignorant about religion. Actually, many atheists were raised religiously, but as they matured their opinion changed. Then the matter of questioning comes into play. Many may not know, but Atheism is the art of questioning, simply because there is no absolute guarantee as to whether or not God exists. That is a common battle that people face with the idea of religion.
“Most people need religion because they can’t face the prospect of not existing,” said Kapil, an atheist. Society has shaped the perception that religion should be accepted by everyone. “They [people] grow up thinking that way,” said another Atheist. Atheists are people to. They have lives and they deal with everyday problems just as religious people. They just don’t practice a religion. Their beliefs should have as much value as a believer’s would.
With religion being such a confusing topic, teens sure have their opinions set. Regardless if you’re an Atheist, Christian or Muslim, everyone has their own set of beliefs. This world is so complex with a variety of everything and in the country of America, freedom of religion is strongly enforced. You have the freedom to practice Islam, where you believe in Allah and the teachings of human dignity or Christianity, where you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the offering of forgiveness. You even have the right to believe in nothing. Either because you’re lacking substantial evidence, were raised in a secular environment or it’s just unnecessary in your life. Some feel it’s needed, others don’t, but isn’t religion just a collection of theories, ideas and traditions?
Dacia has been with Harlem Live since July of 2008. Dacia has taken the role of leader of her team and acted the part as she leads her team successfully winning three presentation challenges. 
