I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this post. I've recieved quite a few responses, and they have given me a a lot to think about.
I've read the New Testament quite a few times, and the message I've got from it is one of common sense and moral obligation to others around us. I believe its message something much greater than anything one earthly human could create. I still marvel at the fact that even as time marches forward, the message never ages. However, I've never commited myself to Christ, as it just doesn't feel "right" for me (yet).
See, I work at a Junior High School as a teachers assistant. I work with the kids with behavioural problems and I've noticed how this new generation of kids (at least, in my area), have so little respect for the human condition. I call them "digital natives". I see these kids everyday, kids that are so sad, and lacking so much self-esteem that they treat each day like a video game. Their ideas about power, or resilience have been fostered by our media-saturated western culture. The see mildness as weakness, and confuse love with sex. I try to appeal to their sense of empathy, but it seems like its missing. These kids live hard and fast, they live with a global mindset, and although they don't know the ins and outs of whats happening around the world, they know that we're living in very troubling times. When these kids think of "eternal life", they're usually talking about a cheat in Grand Theft Auto III... When we've discussed anything of religious context, they seem to get angry, and close their ears to anything remotely religious or emotionally engaging.
I get so overwhelmed sometimes, it really breaks my heart. It feels like it's me against the rest of the world, the Tv shows, the games, the magazines. I need to help these kids learn about the "real stuff", but when I try, it's like I'm speaking a different language.
My aim isn't to preach to them, but I just want to be able to make that first step. For years I've always been able to get through to these kids, but in the past 12 months, it's went from hard to impossible. Basically, I'm clutching at straws now. I read texts from all around the world, and I just want to give these kids the tools to make the hard decisions that life throws at you.
These kids are "digital natives". They didn't learn to use the internet, they were born doing it. Although their feet definately connected to this Earth, their heads are stuck in the digital domain. The detachment that the internet brings has spread to their everyday life, and some of their real life conversations sounds like something out of a chat room, complete with flames and trolling.
As you can probably tell, I'm at the end of my rope, and I've almost given up hope. This has affected me really strongly, and it's almost as though if I lose this lot, I've lost it all. Is there anyone else out there that has noticed a change in kids around the age of 14 recently, or is it just a local phenomenon in my area?
(P.S. > To JustAVessel, no, I certainly don't mind you referencing one of the greatest books in human history.
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