Freedom to Believe

Teens Share Their Thoughts on Religion

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Throughout time, there have been religious conflicts of one type or another. From a child shot for admitting her beliefs to a presidential candidate discussing religious freedom, the topic of religion continues to be controversial.

Far from isolated, teens face this controversy right on campus as officials continue to debate the issue of prayer in school. So what do teens think and feel about religion?

Following the Columbine and Littleton School shootings, the media, students and faculty reported that teens were shot simply for admitting their belief in God and Christianity. This fact may be responsible for teens' reluctance to discuss what they believe.

"When someone says 'religion,' it gives me a weird feeling," says Kristen, a 13-year-old from Vancouver, Wash. "My feelings are a mixture between nervous, uneasy and excited. I don't want to do anything to upset other people about my religion or make them mad at me because I believe a certain way or a certain thing."

But what about religious freedom? Should teenagers have the right to express themselves without the fear of being condemned? And should those with differing beliefs face persecution?

Many teens feel they should be entitled to religious freedom regardless of what religion they practice.

"Religious freedom to me is that you can share your religion to whoever and whenever," Kristen says. "[It means] you could be walking on the street praying because that was your religion, or you say 'yes' to a question about your religion and not be killed like Cassie in the Littleton shooting."

Religious freedom is why the pilgrims originally emigrated to the New World, says Holly, a 16-year-old from Springdale, Ark. "It's about having the freedom to choose what you believe and not have some guard over you telling you what you should believe. I believe in God through the Christian ways; some people believe in God other ways, and heck, some people don't even believe in God at all. We are all entitled to our own beliefs and our own opinions. But I wouldn't stop being someone's friend just because our beliefs were different."

With so many religions in our society today Catholic, Christian, Buddhist, pagan, Hindu, Jewish perhaps the first point of religious acceptance is education. Whether through the school system, church or parents, teaching children about other religions may offer them the tools to understand and accept others as a whole.

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