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Larger segment of Generation Y turning to God
The Roanoke Times ^ | 12/16/2004 | Jill Hoffman

Posted on 12/20/2004 12:15:36 PM PST by RetroFit

BLACKSBURG - The school auditorium was dark except for an overhead projector illuminating religious lyrics.

"We lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus," students chanted. Two young men played guitars and belted out, "We cry holy, holy, holy."

Blacksburg High School's Christian Fellowship club was gathering one last time before Christmas.

The club draws between 100 and 120 members monthly for service projects, Bible study and songs. On Dec. 7, young people decorated Christmas cards for residents at nursing homes.

"I find students in the last 15 years to be much more open in professing their faith," said Danny Huffman, an English teacher and an adult sponsor of the group since its inception in 1996.

In 1996, three students approached Huffman wanting to create a space for Christians to gather at school. About 40 or 50 people started meeting. Now, the group represents almost every Christian denomination - from Pentecosts to Catholics.

Kristen Schmitt, an officer of the club, said her faith directs how she treats people.

"I try and act the way Christ would," Schmitt said. "I love him so much." Drew Walker, another club member, said his faith came in "baby steps."

"I grew up going to church," Walker said. "I was encouraged to go to Jesus."

The Intelligence Group/Youth Intelligence, a market research and trend-forecasting group in New York City, found that Generation Y-ers - which demographers have defined as between 10 and 25 - are neo-traditionalists with a focus on traditional values such as organized religion. The National Study of Youth & Religion in Chapel Hill, N.C., launched the four-year study in August 2001 on young people and religion based on research showing that faith is important to young people.

"It's a blessing to see them seeking the Lord at this age," said Barbara Stepp, an adult sponsor of Blacksburg High's club and school librarian.

Stepp, who looked festive in a Christmas-patterned turtleneck and jingly bells around her neck, said most students in the club aren't just looking to get out of class: "We have kids who really want to be here."

The 1984 federal Equal Access Act ensures that public high schools that receive financial assistance and allow noncurriculum student groups to meet on school grounds provide equal opportunities for all student groups.

At Christiansburg High School, the Youth of America club meets every six weeks to work on service projects and study the Bible. Club President Matt Havens said membership jumped from 10 students last school year to 30 this year. Christiansburg High School senior Josh Goodhart wants to start Creation By Design at school to talk about "assumptions about evolution."

"I'm a little creationist," Goodhart said. "Six days, 6,000 years ago."

Students' religious beliefs spill over into their political views. In November, Goodhart and Havens cast ballots for President Bush.

"It definitely had to do with my beliefs, like [the opposition to] abortion and homosexual marriage," Havens said.

Monday night, members of Blacksburg Christian Fellowship's youth group gathered at the New River Valley Juvenile Detention Home to minister to residents.

Three brothers traveled 45 minutes from Pulaski to reach out to their troubled peers. "We like to go and talk to the guys and witness a little bit," said Scott Willis, 19, the oldest brother.

In the detention home's lobby, the youth group asked God for guidance to help their words "sink in." Members spread out in a commons room and played pool and video games with residents. Everyone gathered in a circle when two youth group members talked about becoming Christians.

Scott Meyers, 24, an employee at an electronics company, said he'd struggled for years with a void inside of him. He wondered what was missing. After attending church by himself and after a period of soul-searching, he knelt down to give his life to Jesus Christ.

"What I want to challenge you guys to do is think about what you're missing in your life," Meyers said.

Joe Kelley, a youth group official, said membership has nearly doubled over the past year.

"We've seen more teen leaders come forward - kids who are very serious about their faith," Kelley said.

But spirituality has not solved everyone's problems. Teenagers said they still have hurdles to jump and hard decisions to make.

"At times, it can be hard to stick by my faith," Walker, the Blacksburg High School student, said.

In spite of this, Alan Hartless, a student at New River Community College and youth group leader, suspects young people keep turning to religion because they find "truth."

"There's some amazing God out there," Hartless said. "And it is love. They want to be loved."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: bibleclub; blacksburg; christianstudents; faith; generationy
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Some of the kids quoted are ones that I directly work with. I'm very proud.
1 posted on 12/20/2004 12:15:36 PM PST by RetroFit
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To: RetroFit

That's what happens when you sincerely start asking "why".... you find God.


2 posted on 12/20/2004 12:17:25 PM PST by mike182d
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To: RetroFit

Great job - some find you people you associate with.


3 posted on 12/20/2004 12:19:35 PM PST by stainlessbanner
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find = fine


4 posted on 12/20/2004 12:20:09 PM PST by stainlessbanner
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To: RetroFit

I'm surprized the ACLU hasn't shown up on the schools doorstep with a 'court order'.


5 posted on 12/20/2004 12:20:45 PM PST by Bigh4u2
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To: RetroFit
On Dec. 7, young people decorated Christmas cards for residents at nursing homes.

Now, the group represents almost every Christian denomination - from Pentecosts to Catholics.

Wonder how the Jehovah's Witnesses students feel about the activities? : )

6 posted on 12/20/2004 12:21:08 PM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: RetroFit
neo-traditionalists

Isn't that a neo-oxymoron?

7 posted on 12/20/2004 12:25:33 PM PST by SittinYonder (Tancredo and I wanna know what you believe)
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To: Bigh4u2

The Supreme Court has already held that if a school opens its facilities for student groups, then religious student groups can use them, too. Schools can't discriminate based on viewpoint (i.e. allow one group to meet to discuss issues with students but not allow a group to do so because it's coming from a religious viewpoint.) Which just makes sense--if students voluntarily attend a religious meeting, that's not the school's doing, just like students can voluntarily attend a 4-H or French Club or whatever meeting.


8 posted on 12/20/2004 12:26:01 PM PST by susiek
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To: RetroFit

The liberal educrats will be most disapointed that their brainwashing efforts are working.


9 posted on 12/20/2004 12:28:27 PM PST by Kuksool
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To: susiek

"The Supreme Court has already held that if a school opens its facilities for student groups, then religious student groups can use them, too."

When has that ever stopped the ACLU that thinks laws are made to be 'written in the courts', and not the Legislature?


10 posted on 12/20/2004 12:28:44 PM PST by Bigh4u2
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To: Kuksool

Make that aren't working.


11 posted on 12/20/2004 12:28:56 PM PST by Kuksool
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To: RetroFit
said Danny Huffman, an English teacher and an adult sponsor of the group since its inception in 1996.

Known to his Emmaus cult followers as "The Christian". :)

12 posted on 12/20/2004 12:29:13 PM PST by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: Bigh4u2

Since "separation of Chruch & State" can't be used, the ACLU will then claim that the presence of a Bible club in school is offensive to the vulnerable, at-risk kids.


14 posted on 12/20/2004 12:32:03 PM PST by Kuksool
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To: Kuksool

They would probably sue to make the school provide 'sensitivity training' for them.


15 posted on 12/20/2004 12:35:05 PM PST by Bigh4u2
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To: Kuksool
Every young generation likes to rebel against the older generation.

If the educrats running public education are liberal and anti-Christian then it would make sense that the younger generation might turn right and pro-Christian just to be rebellious.
16 posted on 12/20/2004 12:36:33 PM PST by Ticonderoga34
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To: RetroFit
"I'm a little creationist," Goodhart said. "Six days, 6,000 years ago."

Me too. Six days, ~4.5 billion years ago.

Good for us, all! in these kids.

17 posted on 12/20/2004 12:39:55 PM PST by onedoug
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To: mike182d
That's what happens when you sincerely start asking "why".... you find God.

God might be the answer to why? but not Why?
18 posted on 12/20/2004 12:41:53 PM PST by BikerNYC
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To: onedoug

6000 years?

I've always speculated that the 6000 year figure wasn't representative of what we consider 'years', but is more representative of what 'God' would consider a year.

1 year could have easily equalled 1 million years, or more!


19 posted on 12/20/2004 12:42:06 PM PST by Bigh4u2
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To: BikerNYC

Come again? :-/


20 posted on 12/20/2004 12:45:47 PM PST by mike182d
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