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

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.