The Bravery of Youth

I don’t do it too often, but I’m never afraid to talk about religion. In fact, sometimes I strike up a religion centered conversation to break the stereotyped youth pastor persona that is sometimes forced upon me. I was not your typical youth pastor. I hated the title ‘pastor,’ and I would correct people in the fact that I was not a pastor but rather a leader or mentor. My youth leader days are behind me. It was a job. I am now attending the church that I want to attend and I enjoy it very much.

Monday night I was talking with a high school student when the topic of religion came up. I made some assumptions and asked him if he was Catholic. In a very pointed answer he told me that he was currently an agnostic. An agnostic is one who denies that God’s existence is provable. It is important to note that an agnostic is not an atheist. In the case of this young man I believe he is using the term agnostic to indicate that he is currently not participating in any sort of organized religion.

Now, some would view this as a moment to convert convert convert! But this young man is obviously taking a step back to ask questions. Good for him! I continued to lightly pick his brain to see where he was coming from. I didn’t do much talking…he gave me specific reasons for his break from religion. He has had events happen in his life that have left him with some very tough and still unanswered questions. I didn’t have the answers. But I was encouraged to know that he hasn’t given up on God. He is still searching for his answers. This is not a case of denial. This is a case of discovery.

The conversation was cut short, but it was left with a tone of understanding. I am at a time in my life when I am asking questions that I never thought I would be asking of myself and of God. I have no doubt that this student will find what he is looking for. It was encouraging. The bravery of youth is encouraging.