How Much Does Religion Interest Young People?

BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN FRANCE

FOR the 750,000 youngsters in the audience, this was to be an evening of euphoria. They waved flags, sang, and applauded. Lasers and fireworks traced paths through the air, and musicians roused the crowd. The atmosphere resembled a “gigantic improvised discotheque.” Finally, to screams of adulation, the man they had been awaiting came on stage.

Was this the kickoff for the world tour of some rock band? No. It was a religious mass meeting in Paris during the Catholic World Youth Days, and the man was none other than Pope John Paul II!

For some, young people’s interest in religious festivals like this may seem strange. But now the media are talking about a religious revival among youths.

Religion’s Quest for Youths

Religions are finding it a challenge to attract youths. A French priest asked of the crowds attending the Catholic World Youth Days festival in Paris: “Where do these young ones come from? I’ve got no youths in my churches. I never see them.” In its quest to attract and keep youths’ attention, the Catholic Church is having to change its presentation and its packaging.

“The church changes its style!” declared the French newspaper Le Figaro. For the 12th World Youth Days festival in Paris, the church employed agencies that are more used to organizing rock concerts to look after the presentation. Over 300 shows were put on to entertain youths visiting from over 100 countries, and designer clothing was specially made for the clergy.

Out of touch with young people today and feeling the need to adapt, many religions are becoming catchall faiths. Reflecting this policy, Michel Dubost, the clergyman who organized the World Youth Days festival in Paris, said: “Of course, I would like all the baptized to be faithful to Christ. But even if they are not, they have their place in the church.”

Youths’ Quest for Answers

Highlighting that youths’ quest for answers is indeed real, one newspaper described the youngsters’ attendance at the religious festival in Paris as “a cry for faith, rather than of faith.” Was such a cry answered by the Catholic Church?

When you take off the wrappings or peer through what one Catholic newspaper calls the “optical illusion” of large religious festivals, what remains? The French newspaper Le Monde commented on the “lack of real content” below the surface.

While presentation is important, food has to be nourishing. Young people’s questions about the meaning of life require spiritually nourishing answers. The attractive but empty replies that youths are served do not satisfy them.

Devoid of real substance, are such religious events having any lasting effect on youths today? French sociologist Danièle Hervieu-Léger observed: “These spectacular operations have little chance of developing durable social effects.” Where, then, can youngsters find satisfying answers to their questions?

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Religious festival attracts thousands of youths in Paris

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World Youth Days in Paris—a genuine religious revival?