Religious Lecture

         I recently had to attend a guest lecture for a history course in Gaines Theater. David Campbell and James M. Patterson gave lectures on the boom and bust cycles of religion in America. Campbell gave three points on religion: the only constant is change, a new growth in the “nones” and “noneism” in America, and to understand the “nones”, they have to be recognized as a very diverse group. Religion goes through trends in America. It reached its popularity in the 1950’s and since it has experienced different decades of popularity and disdain. People who make up “noneism” are the millennials, people under the age of 30 who say they have no religious affiliation. Campbell refers to their view of the world as liminal. There has been an increase in the “nones” due to a change in the political environment. Religion and politics were not always combined. A large part of why millennials associate themselves as the “nones” is because they do not wish to be associated with 1 political party. James M. Patterson takes a different approach to explaining the millennials by trying to get in touch with the audience of adolescents. He explains how religion and other institutions created the modern American teenager. Religious freedom is found deep in the roots of America, and the different sects of Christianity battled one another for space, power, and believers. History has modernized U.S citizens and their religions. The Second Great Awakening allowed for religious evangelism to grow in popularity. Youths are greedy consumers and society and corporations attempted to appeal to their desires. They were partially feared because they refused to accept religious and other institutions. Now religions across the globe are working to revive the faith of the youth, like in Brazil for example. Older generations fear the loss of traditions with the millennials and teenagers. As both a millennial, teenager, and atheist I believe that both David Campbell and James Patterson missed the point of why youth culture is not interested in becoming religious. I agree with some of Christianity’s morals and principles, but religion is not a necessity for living a virtuous, and good life.