Kyle Williams.
Posted on 12/04/2004 6:49:46 PM PST by Ladysmith
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.
Kyle Williams.
Ping.
BTTT
Is that a picture of the author?
Thanks for the ping. I wonder how old he is now - the first time I read his articles (was it World Net Daily?) I believe he was 12.
I'll ping it out!
Kyle needs to work on his spelling.
Yes, it is. Sure does this heart good.
Oops, see my previous post. He's 15.
Interesting...
This is what he said on his blog:
So, I sent in my column to WND earlier this afternoon. I stayed up much the night last night thinking about it. (I feel very much sleep deprived as of now).
It's a can of worms. A loaded idea. Actually, it's probably way too big to tackle with 750 words. But this idea is one I've been thinking about for at least a year now and I've been journeying through it in my writings as of late. Thus, I'll most likely continue with it over the next weeks on WorldNetDaily.
I'll write more in depth about this topic here, but I should probably either get some sleep or coffee first.
Posted by Kyle Williams at 17:59 on Friday December 3, 2004
Moral Absolutes Ping.
Pretty amazing article for a young teenager.
I really, really like the last part.
People are looking for peace, for love, for acceptance, for someone to care for and serve.
Someone disagrees? Everyone serves someone - family, a "cause", a pet, a pet peeve, a list of grievances, their own sex organ - SOMETHING OR SOMEONE.
A great soul once said that the only enemies are the five senses and the mind. They're pulling us which way and that way, always making demands.
If we just give it up, stop trying to be the "Lord" of our own life, and beg God (even if we're not totally sure yet that He exists, it doesn't do any harm to ask) to take charge of our life - He does.
And then reveals Himself bit by bit. And fulfills the deepest desires of our hearts. Only He knows how to do it, since He put them there.
Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
I'm a mom and a 4-H volunteer.
My house is ALSO the house wher the kids all hang out, and clean out my fridge, and play Playstation. watch movies and play "Uno" and "Twister".
the kids all talk to me.
I have a lot more faith in our current crop of teenagers.
I didn't ping the whole list on this. Just a little ray of hope for our youth with young men like this one in their midst.
How would you know? 15 is not necessarily so immature.
That's a pretty rude thing to say.
I think you might be misunderestimating this kid.
I think thou Worries Too Much.
But seriously, I've always found it interesting that American character and culture peaked during the Great Depression, WW II, and the Cold War. It's been at its lowest during periods of detente and the wasting of peace dividends by the counter culture. Today, the current uplift of faith and conservatism corresponds directly with our war on terror.
What does all of this tell us? It tells me everything I need to know, personally... everything.
Yes, yes, it's your opinion. My opinion is he's been raised and educated very well, and these are his own thoughts and writings. With some constructive criticism from his parents? Undoubtedly. I'm sure it's a safe bet they monitor everything he writes.
I did when I was that age. I wasn't nearly as articulate, but I'd had it with pop culture by then. I'm 47 now.
"No fifteen year old has this adult an outlook."
Homeschooled 15-year-olds very often have adult outlooks.
Unfortunately, the so called "counter culture" now IS the status quo.
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