Why Young People Are Losing Faith

[@lions1729]

The Orthodox Church (especially via this channel) has been a major source of peace to me recently. I just wish more people understood the importance of the Church. My personal journey is still very new, but my heart is fully committed to Christ.

[@kirerunte1046]

Most people are subjectivists and moral relativists. There god is money

[@wilder11]

Same here. Many years, friend.

[@NorthwestSpiritWalker]

Praise yeshua

[@wispfire2545]

Christ is Lord. You know him when you're carrying your cross and following him.

[@timmiller7338]

The original gospel story is very well preserved in Orthodoxy. Also, ladyhood is well respected with regards to St. Mary. Who wants Heaven to be a stagg party, lol A.D. 2024 A D. For A.I. , who's changing the story?

[@neyneynanamo2071]

I lost my faith in my youth because I wanted to. Too many weaknesses I did not want to fight with. It took me a few crisis in my life to come back to Christ.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

I just had 37 high school students at ALPHA this afternoon after school. They were on fire!

[@timmiller7338]

Nice work, praying for all teachers! 2024 A.D. . My history teacher taught us.

[@hannahbaker3080]

What is ALPHA?

[@laurengalan2760]

@@hannahbaker3080catechism for evangelicals

[@littlemeadowpress]

That's awesome!

[@christopherliontas1603]

Bought the book. Its absolutely wonderful! This should be in every high school Sunday school. The first chapter is fantastic and it just gets better!!! Thank you for such a wonderful book and thank you father for exposing it to us!!!

[@dolphinitely_bro3944]

Great men of God right here

[@tinker-ing-around2317]

Holy Trinity, please help all mankind to recognize the dissatisfaction from all temporal pursuits and worldliness. Holy Spirit, help us to know the love of God in a way that makes worldliness irrelevant and worthless in comparison. Help us truly reach a point where we love You (God) with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and also love other people above ourselves. Help us to be more like You, selfless, compassionate, and full of love for everyone, even enemies. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all and save us!

[@timmiller7338]

Beautiful prayer, thank you, A.D. 2024

[@ConvincedofChristianity]

This was a great interview! Thank you, Father Josiah!

[@JohnAnon-mh5el]

Wonderful discussion. Just ordered Dr. Zac's book, Journey to Reality. Always appreciate Fr. Josiah's interviews and commentary. Looking forward to the American Orthodox film project.

[@littlemeadowpress]

I'm Catholic (I converted from Protestantism to Catholicism a few years ago) but I nevertheless enjoy your content very much!

[@rhondalandry5215]

Both your books were among the first i read as a Protestant convert to Orthodoxy. Loved them both for totally different reasons. Thank you!

[@NorthwestSpiritWalker]

So much social media, conspiracy theories, and random ideologies which create a separation between the truth of Jesus Christ and deceptive theories.

[@kirerunte1046]

And jobs don't pay for basics and housing so there is no way to get married or have kids and women are extremely promiscuous and no one wants that plus divorce

[@Michelangelo-f6l]

Nobody is forcing us to trust the conspiracy theories, or to have social media, its just stumbling blocks for us people.

[@GoblinusMaximus]

The whole "aliens" thing especially. The evil one and his minions want us to look to the heavens and be afraid- but fear of God. Causing untold confusion and chaos of the mind.

[@estrelaazul460]

It's worth to mention the confusion that this amount of protestant denominations cause

[@user-vn3uq2lv7x]

Thank you for this, Albert.

[@eax2010EA]

People live in their minds instead of thinking less

[@katiek.8808]

I’m sorry but thinking too much is anything but our current problems literally anywhere or with anyone. The average American is illiterate. The average American is less educated than an 8 year old from 100 years ago. We actually have a lack of thinking problem.

[@biffkline8771]

I love this book!

[@mexicangunslinger915]

I do not know if its okay if to ask for prayer here but my name is Hector if you guys don't mind praying for me

[@noluckasmr]

Did you make a post on Reddit? I saw this same post yesterday, a guy said “please pray for me my name is Hector” lol that’s crazy if I seen you twice, I am praying for you brother God Bless

[@littlemeadowpress]

I'll pray for you!

[@mexicangunslinger915]

@@noluckasmr thank you and yea it was me

[@jesh879]

Praying for you, Hector. ☦️💝

[@mexicangunslinger915]

@ please pray for me

[@davidgrim5990]

An illustration of the problem is with Mother day sermons vs Father day sermons. I have NEVER hear a sermon calling women out on their behavior. That said I have not had that issue with Orthodox churches I've been to and that's why I think they are growing or at least not collapsing like protestant churches.

[@shimalscomedy3800]

God bless you both great discussion!

[@MasonWittenberg]

That’s crazy. I’m currently reading one of his books.

[@stevelenores5637]

I think it was for same old reasons. Hard beliefs, easy world answers, and sin is attractive to the fresh. There were those who fell away from Jesus, Paul, and John. There were those who fell away in the centuries that followed. New day, same problems. Now for the good news. Peace on Earth, Good will to men, for a Savior is born in Bethlehem who is Christ Jesus our Lord. God Bless, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

[@Fern_Thaddeus]

Exactly, AMEN ❤

[@AKI-j1m]

John Chrisostom truly was a wise saint..

[@joshuamartinpryce1237]

Faith is restored by sharing Jesus mind and spirit with people. Christians these days do things to be empowering but in a very worldly way. I believe the essence of the spirit is a pure message.

[@belindaventer8474]

I live in the middle of South Africa, only heard of Orthodoxy recently. Can anyone refer me to an English speaking congregation here? I am fascinated!

[@timothysmith6577]

Unlike other “Christian “ voices, Orthodoxy has delivered the same message, unchanged, for 2000 years.

[@michael120.]

12:08 is a fantastic point i’ve been pondering too. i evangelize to my atheist friends now and again, and i notice that it’s hard to use the word Jesus when talking to them about our Lord. because to them, they probably hear the name Jesus so often in vain, as a joke, the name as the means to which heretical preachers do something crazy. glad he brought it up and i wasn’t alone in that assessment.

[@CosmoPhiloPharmaco]

Cool!

[@wispfire2545]

Kudos (:

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

As a learning Catholic, I can’t tell you how frustratingly true it is looking back in retrospect at the Catholic schools I attended and how little they actually managed to teach me. This is why there’s a joke in some circles: that few are more clueless about Catholicism than those who start out by saying as, “Well, as someone who doesn’t have faith but grew up attending Catholic school, my view of the topic is…”

[@odious5317]

Yeah the Catholic Church needs to do better. I’m Catholic as well & pains me to see how watered down it has become.

[@NikolasSerpanos]

☦️

[@skittenhund]

I NEED THE BOOK HE'S WORKING ON.

[@Petrusanak]

America needs an Orthodox University of America

[@njofl2196]

ICXC❤️☦️

[@timmiller7338]

Praise chant A.D. 2024 A.D. with A.I. ! Don't take medication religiously!

[@johnsambo9379]

Mostly because parents aren't faithful and the many Churches they get caught in criminal behavior.

[@kevinkelly2162]

But as a parent how do you teach your children to go to Mass but never be alone with a nun or a priest?

[@daphne-w98]

@@kevinkelly2162 I take this cases very seriously, it’s one of the worst crimes of all, but I’m not sure that’s the solution? A child never being alone with clergy is a stretch (just my opinion). May as well never be alone with a teacher or a male relative that’s not a father either, at that point.

[@ioioi_prx4639]

It's just like it is almost impossible to return if you start living a secular lifestyle

[@OrthodoxChristian27]

I’m a cradle orthodox who lived a secular life for 40 years, but God had a lot of patience with me and I found repentance a few years ago. I came back to the church and my life has changed significantly! With God, anything is possible. Glory to God!

[@Michelangelo-f6l]

Im too cradle, and no its not nearly impossible. Its actually very possible

[@ioioi_prx4639]

​@@Michelangelo-f6l Even if a secular man is convinced that God exist as have absolute morality, they'll still likely stay secular since he will need to sacrifice too much to get into any religions

[@Michelangelo-f6l]

@@ioioi_prx4639 i dont agree. I lived a very secular life too, with hardships and everything and i would like, to know that i live good now. The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27 NKJV.

[@OrthodoxChristian27]

@@ioioi_prx4639 are you Orthodox?

[@ZBielski]

The sheep will be separated from the rest in the end. We will go separate ways sadly.

[@Michelangelo-f6l]

Not sadly, but in Gods grace. Why should God save us all? We can only be saved if we want to God is not forcing salvation on us without freedom there is no love.

[@ZBielski]

@Michelangelo-f6l God does not desire separation only Satan does.

[@jacktracy8356]

True Christianity will always be in the world from 2 people in the Garden of Eden to 8 people during Noah's time to how ever many are here now present in the world who are saved by the free gift of Grace though Faith and not of any works (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).

[@katiek.8808]

True Christianity? Could you explain?

[@jacktracy8356]

@@katiek.8808 Ephesians 2:8 KJV "For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast."

[@ruthking3655]

They r losing faith because their parents list faith when they choose to buy into the lie of prosperity. Putting God first in our lives brings prosperity because He adds everything to us! But we put work of our hands first to achieve and we have lost Christ! They haven't been taught correctly or learned it by seeing it done!!!!!!!

[@kirerunte1046]

That's not true, jobs don't pay for basics and housing, women are highly promiscuous so most people will never have enough money to get married and have kids or find a good wife plus divorce is rampant

[@ArizonaTengu]

@ruthking3655 It’s called mammon worship in scripture. Everything in society is done to sacrifice towards appeasing material desires. Which includes how we raise, educate, and even when people are allowed to marry.

[@katiek.8808]

So you think this is all occurring because 30 years ago parents choose Protestantism?

[@ArizonaTengu]

@katiek.8808 Protestantism is part of it but the problem goes further back to the French Revolution. It also has to do with Victorian era views on marriage that helped develop feminist values on the subject too. It’s really complicated, but the secular mindset is so saturating everything that many Orthodox don’t even know it.

[@katiek.8808]

@@ArizonaTengu like the op?

[@jesh879]

Tbh this comes across to me as a 25 minute book ad. Maybe its a great book. Idk. But if you want to know how to see the world as the ancient Fathers did, how to access that wisdom and understand it, in terms that modern and postmodern people think in - Jonathan Pageau has been uploading videos on that very subject, for free, for 13 years.

[@anthojn1651]

We can probably sum it up in one word : NIHILISM.

[@nikopawlowic6557]

I haven't lost my faith in God, Jesus Christ, or The Holy Spirit. Although I must say that I have encountered many strange things that I can't explain. I don't know if such experiences are considered as being sinful, or if that is just the way our lives must unfold. I'm not sure how to reconcile these experiences.

[@AnonymousMan115]

Depends, do these experiences enlighten you (in a rational and/or spiritual way that's disassociate from emotion) or confuse you? That's 1 way to discern good from evil. I say this as a convert to Orthodoxy. ☦️

[@nikopawlowic6557]

@AnonymousMan115 sometimes a bit of both. Keep in mind that many of these things I've heard about and that some I've experienced were not of my doing, but have filled me with questions. Not in questioning God's existence or that He is most Holy, but how some things can exist or happen.

[@PETERJOHN101]

@AnonymousMan115 I disagree. The human mind is not the arbiter of truth and the source of emotion is not Satan, but God. The Lord appeared to me in 2010 and no one can tell me otherwise. Is my conviction rational? In the world, it isn't, but I am not of the world. If one's faith doesn't stir one on every level, it's just a mind game.

[@bryantsamperi3402]

Shame on whoever is removing my posts for pointing out the hypocrisy of teaching you can use drugs (alcohol) in moderation, but that gargantuan mass of traumatized victims of alcohol related violence and sexual perversion (100s of millions in the world) are sinners for consuming the only known competitor to alcohol as a recreational substance, cannabis, instead. This is a primary reason for the loss of faith.

[@IonniasDeVito]

We also need to ask with all the historical, philosophical, miraculous supernatural evididence of Orthodox Christianity, can atheism survive?

[@andrewward5891]

None is still the fastest growing “religion” in America.

[@MusicInfected]

Long story short - young people are loosing faith because they are getting smarter😊

[@andrewward5891]

Religion hasn’t exactly shown itself as a positive thing in American culture the last couple decades. Catholic priests molesting kids and their church covering up, money grubbing televangelists getting caught in scandals, the Westboro Baptist Church protesting at soldier funerals etc.

[@johncalla2151]

There is no way that you can say -- with a straight face -- that we are getting smarter.

[@NandKumar-qq3xk]

Anti of ? Are you knowing ! How ? What is Base of your way in you active ? Direct benifit based olny selfe first more, what is faith ? You well knowingly acting must before protect selfish, ok,

[@rosemarietolentino3218]

Parable of the four seeds. Satan steals the faith of most.

[@ValentinBrutusBura]

No. No way. I struggle with that hard. Expert Bodhisattvas struggle with that. It is the first and most persistent of the Five Hindrances. Some of us observe the Advent and Lent. Most of us should take communion as prescribed. No free lunch on this one.

[@Jordan-1999]

One reason why I lost faith not necessarily in my belief of God, but rather with the Christian faith itself was ultimately down to how Christianity has handled itself in the real world. As someone living in England we are currently seeing the steady deconstruction of our English heritage, this once beautiful island has become a land of what feels like autherterian rule. As a native to the land I feel like a foreigner in my own country and this needs to stop. This of course wouldn't have happened had we not become so secularised, and unfortunately this is where Christianity comes in. Many people here see Christianity as weak, many people here don't take it seriously due to all the corruption within the Church and the countless child abuse/sexual abuse scandals. And I for one blame Christianity for the rise of Atheism and for much of the pathetic political ideologies that sprung up in the 19th and 20th centuries that still effect our politics today. This is why I chose to leave Christianity and embrace Paganism, which is of the Celtic/Germanic origin. But I believe every country should go back to their native religion, pre Islamic/Christian. Europe has faught long enough against foreign religions/ideologies, and the irony is that they have done this despite the fact that Christianity too is a foreign religion in all lands except for Israel and I think people tend to forget this. My conclusion is this, had we just honoured our ancestors by remaining faithful to our Pagan roots then society and culture, and in my case English/European society and culture would be way better than it is today. Of course that's my opinion and I cannot prove this statement as fact, but it is what I genuinely believe to be true and I stick by that.

[@dirk1998]

Well Christianity today is a blanket term, so which one are we talking about?

[@Jordan-1999]

@dirk1998 Essentially all of them. For me living in England Catholicism and the Church of England are a complete joke. I've spoken to many people who agree with me that Christianity at least in my country is weak and seriously corrupt. Even the Orthodox Church has it's fair share of corruption, due to its political affiliations and some would argue over it's view on Ecumenism. With all due respect you say Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, you either follow him and believe that or you don't, it really is that simple. Also my country is having a problem with Islamism and there are many people trying to push back against the slowly but inevitable breakdown of English culture/heritage. Even political parties like UKIP. But the irony is that many people fail to see that Christianity is also foreign to Europe and to my own country. If we're going to fight for anything traditional both to do with heritage, culture or religion, then it should be something that is rooted in the very land beneath our feet. And honestly I believe that if Christianity didn't exist then Islam wouldn't of either. I believe if Christianity didn't become so weak then Atheism wouldn't have become so prevalent and the rise of political ideologies like communism or fascism and so on wouldn't of likely developed. Before Christianity and Islam, every country had it's own beautiful culture, religion and traditions. Paganism influences our world more than we know it from the festivals that many of us in Europe and America celebrate to the very names of the days of the week. But many of us have forgotten this. Unless you believe the Bible to be literally true, I know some Christians will take liberty with that, and if you solely focus on the historical records then you will see how even the God Yahweh was originally Pagan in origin and was later adopted by the Jews as their main God, similar to how the Muslims took Allah to be their main God, but originally he was one of many during the time when the Arabs were still Pagan. And I say this because like every other human civilisation and culture the Jews/hebrews were also poloythiests at one point before transitioning over to the practice of monotheism.

[@bryantsamperi3402]

Even Peter had to be corrected. I want to know why the obvious as a primary cause of this is always dismissed. Consider the most obvious reason for the degradation of our youth, at least in America. In the past 60 years there were 100s of millions of violent alcohol related crimes, INCLUDING the sexual abuse of 10s of millions of children, all primary causes of PTSD and other stress disorders - the primary gateway to alternative recreational drug consumption - that created the greatest majority group among cannabis consumers. What follows is a mortal sin: As alcohol, the drug of choice of authority figures from every sector of society, INCLUDING THE CHURCH, was causing mass death, disease, destruction, disorder, deficit, violence, and sexual perversion, those same alcoholic and codependent authorities, WITH THE BLESSING of ALL CHURCHES, waged war on the traumatized victims of the nation's drunken debauchery for consuming cannabis to treat alcohol related traumatic stress. Several generations were refused to be shepherded because they chose plant created by God, cannabis, while their pastors chose something he did not create - alcohol - but is a product of death. Those were denied equal protection under the law alcohol druggies enjoyed, including the right to compete in the workplace. They were taught from a young age that they were criminals and would grow to become worthless if they consumed cannabis, a plant created by God. Then, a certifiably alcoholic and codependent leadership from every sector of society, including the churches, did everything in their power to ensure that would happen, including denial of employment. We are talking about 10s of millions in America alone. These were given over to Satan - underworld predators who surely made prostitutes and slaves of multitudes. The only known competitor to alcohol as a recreational substance, accounting for 75% of all alternative consumption, Christ's creation was given to Satan (Mexican cartels) to manage which became the foundation of their empires that now threaten national security daily, netting them TRILLIONS over this period. Those you all rejected, and still do, though all are free to enjoy the drug of choice of pedophiles everywhere - alcohol - why would they believe in a God who chooses a substance he did not create, one known to cloud one's judgment and remove inhibitions to sin, one that has destroyed countless lives, over a plant of his own creating, cannabis, for recreation, stress relief, which is what the example set has taught them?????? None of you will answer.

[@mchristr]

Thanks for your effort...although I'm not sure what the point is. Some people escape through alcohol, and some through marijuana. Repent, believe the Gospel, and be made new.

[@bryantsamperi3402]

@mchristr Escape what? If we know Christ, we are already escaped, and very obviously, whether or not we consume alcohol, or the safer, more effective alternative, cannabis. How callous of you. I am pointing out a major hypocrisy that has led to 100s of millions of wounded sheep being rejected by supposed disciples of Christ because the wounded sheep are consuming grass created by Christ. On the other hand, you receive, and do not judge those who drink a drug Christ did not create, which happens to be the drug involved in all the trauma leading the wounded sheep to graze on the grass. The church has no prohibition on death and destruction in a bottle, as long as it's using that drug in moderation. But I am sinning for consuming cannabis instead???? Absolutely ludicrous. And the POINT was that this has led to the youth rejecting Christ.

[@bryantsamperi3402]

@mchristr The topic is why young people are losing faith. My reply was sufficient to prove why 100s of millions from 3 generations, which means their children also, have lost faith. It is the epitome of hypocrisy to say "you can drink the drug, alcohol, in moderation," (meaning you can use drugs and be a disciple of Christ), but the 100s of millions of sheep wounded by one smelling of that drug is sinning for consuming grass created by Christ. And because you did, and do, generations of young people, 10s of millions sexually abused during the cannabis prohibition era in America alone by one smelling of the drug the church says you can use in moderation, reject Christ. That is a undisputed fact in the Kingdom of God.

[@Smoothonnthekeysss]

Did you not know, your body is a temple? Cannabis can be great medicinally, but recreationally, it can become an addiction, an escape, and “getting high” is about as worldly and fleshly as it gets. Would Jesus smoke weed? I don’t think he would.

[@bryantsamperi3402]

​@@mchristrWell, you answered all right, and I returned the answer twice only to have my posts removed for no reason. I suggest you read again and get the point instead of diverting.

[@andyxanthopoulos5282]

Whole lot of rubbish

[@thesmartestmanintheworld2653]

Did you ever think that young people lost faith over all the lies and molestation???? How about the absolute moral cowardice and weakness of the church to speak out against such travesty’s? You know, like when I emailed your office several times.

[@dirk1998]

You do realize that the mass molestation was mainly through Roman Catholic churches right? This is Orthodoxy.

[@andrewward5891]

@@dirk1998- the non religious don’t really care which Christian group is doing bad things. It makes all Christians look bad.