I have been pondering the new way things are recently. The desensitization of our culture to numerous things, and I think aside from language and sexuality, one of the biggest things is care. I think apathy is in. I think it is a trend, and to really, really care about things is definitely out. At least in most ways.
As I'm seeing more and more, its okay to get riled up about a couple things:
1. Its "cool" to be radical when it comes to politics. Young voters are important, and you're cool if you exercise your small voice in this big nation.
2. Its good to be radical when it comes to lifestyle. When it comes to gay marriages, environment, vegetarianism, organic foods; that type of stuff.
Mostly these two things are becoming trends. Really caring about people in your life, about Jesus, about any belief system, about morals and ethics and fighting against the norm--that is certainly uncool. Now that the presidential election is over thats one less thing to care about, one more way to let apathy sink in.
As I talked to a good friend on the phone yesterday, I found myself saying things I didn't know were in my head. (This is amazing, because its usually difficult for me to form a setence out loud). I don't mean to criticize the church, or my church, because it is my home and the only family I have, but I here I go:
People do not want to learn about Jesus, and people do not want to teach about Jesus. We want to preach the ultimate form of acceptance, no matter what. We want to say its okay to do whatever you're doing because we don't judge. We don't want to listen to or teach a boring sermon, we want to sit back and converse and if no real learning gets done, so be it. We don't want to be the ones to take a step out on a limb and say there is a little more to it than that. Maybe a lot more.
My generation, the young adult generation, is all about apathy. Everything is A-OK, no matter what. I personally know this because I am honestly not bothered by just about anything--maybe I should be. We are more concerned with being the new-age church/group of people that accepts everyone, no matter what, that we've forgotten the importance of the actual lessons. We've forgotten the reason Jesus did what he did.
Jesus was the ultimate form of acceptance, but he was also the ultimate radical.
The difference today is if we take a leap, if we go out on a limb and voice our opinions, we're judgemental, or we don't understand, or we're being the opressive church.
To avoid that altogether its better not to say or do anything at all, right? Probably not.
(For the record: I am the worst person on the planet to be thinking these things, because I will never say them, and I will never back them up. I will always love the people in my life despite lifestyles I dont necessarily condone. I will always think a long, drawn out sermon with a lot of scripture reading is boring. I will always adopt apathy because it is easier, and I hate arguments.
But I wonder if I need to learn how to change because the message Jesus had for us was so important that he died. He was in no way apathetic.)
Maybe, even if its something not everyone wants to hear or sit through, we need longer discussions, discussions that challenge and are possibly a little boring, but really have substance. Maybe we need old hymns. Maybe we need to be a little judgemental at times in order to hold each other accountable. Maybe.
I just wonder what its costing us to try and be the cool church of this era.
Another example I'm really coming across a lot is apathy in relationships. We all think we need to be laid back, to let anything go, to be kind and understanding no matter what. But some things just aren't acceptable. It doesn't mean they can't be forgiven or worked through at all, but it also doesn't mean we say "No big deal" and watch it happen over and over again. We have to speak up. People matter.
And it hurts to be the odd person out, the only one giving a gift, lending a hand, or making a phone call, because you know the person had a bad day. When suddenly you feel victimized because you actually paid attention to someone else, because you took action instead of holding onto apathy, you're the one with the label "stalker". Who is looked down upon because you truly care. When did friendships become so shallow?
When did it become okay to endlessly joke about sexuality, to say things only for the sake of saying them? And when did it actually become funny? I know for myself there's very little I laugh at that isn't a sexual innuendo. I want to know where things like ethics went. Why I personally think its okay to drink whenever I want, although I'm five months under legal drinking age. Why do I say its no big deal, and why will I end this rant and probably think nothing of it again?
It's hard to hold onto opinions. It's hard when things are so rapidly changing and we're trying to stick with the ebb and flow of society. It's difficult when today I might feel like this, but tomorrow with a drink in hand I'll be laughing at some stupid joke about a blow job. I just wonder where human morality is going, that's all. What road is it leading us down and why the hell can't I channel all this writing into my novel...?
But, I'm at 13,692 words. Booyah.
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