Sounds like teen spirit: What's your view of religion?

For the past three or four generations, it seems kids around the world have been fascinated with rock 'n' roll. But what about the other "r" word?

Religion.

Students from The International School of Bogor in West Java -- Karen De Jong Zumaeta, Luca Ferrini, Nanao Ishibashi, Jessica Bisset, You-Lee Park and Clara Summers -- interviewed each other and their expatriate and local friends to see which way the religious winds were blowing for today's teenagers.

Alex Winkler, 13, student at The International School of Bogor:

Teenagers think about religion quite often if they live in a place where there is a lot of religion, such as Indonesia. As a teenager I think that religion is good, because it offers something to believe in. Without religion, life would be boring and uncomfortable. And it gives you something to respect, too.

Religion teaches you new things, like how to look at the different ways of life and their meanings. It also teaches you other things, like respecting others and responsibility to yourself.

I think many teenagers believe in God because there is always something there for them when they are in trouble. The bad thing about religion is that there are things you cannot do if you follow that religion. Teenagers think wars about religion are really bad, because religion teaches you about peace. I think teenagers are concerned about the future of religion because it seems people are losing there respect for it.

Cecille Christophia, 15, student at Tarakanita High School:

To me, religion is the most important thing a person can have in life. That is because religion can make our life become brighter and better. We can learn lessons from religion that make us better people.

I have learned so much from my religion. It is central to my personality and my outlook on life. It also teaches me patience, and how to control my emotions, my ego and my anger. Through religion I am closer to God. I realize that without God, I am nothing, because I stand alone.

Anhalee Nitzschke, 15, student at The International School of Bogor:

To me, religion is a motivation to keep on going. As teenagers, we should have the freedom to choose whatever we want to believe in. But often that is not the case.

Children usually have to follow their parents' religion. However, as they grow older and start seeing different points of view, they may take an interest in a different religion. This is where trouble begins. Kids might run away from their homes because they know their parents would never accept them breaking a belief that has been going on for generations within their family.

And once on the street, they might do things they weren't allowed to talk about at home. For example, a girl might end up pregnant because her parents didn't advise her about contraception or even discuss sex. I think these kinds of consequences are a big problem for teenagers today.

Anhar Hardjakusumah, 13, student at The International School of Bogor:

I believe quite strongly in Islam. It was taught to me by my American mom and Indonesian dad and I accept it as part of my life. It helps me by giving me motivations in life and it makes me feel at ease with myself and with others.

In my opinion, adults should encourage young people in religion, but they should be free to make up their own mind when they are mature enough. Faith comes from the heart. Each person has to find faith for themselves and decide whether or not to accept it.

Sadly, I think that today teenagers don't take religion seriously enough because adults tend to make it obligatory. There should be a better balance between encouraging teenagers in religion and allowing them to make their own decision.

Atinna Gunawan, 13, student at Madania International School:

I think religion is good because it gives us faith in the things we do, knowing God is watching us. I especially like how we can know about people from before and after our time. I am a Muslim and Muslims believe life is short and we have to prepare for the end. If we do something wrong, we go to our family's house to apologize. We also pray.

You-Lee Park, 13, student at The International School of Bogor:

I think religion is quack (current teenage slang for farcical). I hate everything about religion. It's sexist. I want to live my own life, without having to do it a certain way. I hate being ordered around by "God", who we don't even know exists, and I don't like being told to do religious practices. My family is Presbyterian. Presbyterians have the same beliefs as all Protestants, but I don't believe any of it.

I go to church when there is a religious holiday, but only because I have to. I would have no religion at all if I had the choice.

Patrick Sullivan, 14, student at The International School of Bogor:

I believe in some aspects of religion, because you need a life after death. But otherwise the rules that tell you what you can and cannot do are BS (teenage slang for inconsequential and/or a type of fabrication). My parents try to make me go to Church more often and say grace and make my family's religion a larger part of my life.

My views on religion have changed over time. Believe it or not, I used to be very religious. But, I guess the rules were too overwhelming. I think religion should be more flexible with people.

Jessica Bisset, 13, student at The International School of Bogor:

Religion is important because it helps you by setting rules to follow which help people. I currently believe in Islam. It gives me guidelines on what to do. And no, no one pressures me on religion, and I haven't felt different or anything either, since everyone has different views when it comes to religion.