As almost everyone here knows, I'm not religious in the least but I am (or try to be) respectful of others beliefs.
Recently there has been a rash of intollerence/ignorance among the youth in the US. They seem to feel it necessary to destroy churches and other houses of worship. I find this kind of behavior reprehensible. It makes me wonder why they are so intollerent of someone elses belief system. Could it be that they are tired of having dogma shoved at them and they are rebelling? Or have they misunderstood their own belief system? It also makes me wonder if they were raised with a religious background and what that may have to do with it?
What kind of people will they be to this world if they keep on this way?

Any thoughts?

Well, I think that the children you here about that do these things are really only a small portions of all of them. The reasons behind it could be just about anything.
Tired of being forced to worship a certain deity and rebel against the religion in a violent way.
Are part of one religion, and thinks all the other ones are wrong and tries to get rid of them.
They could be an extremist Atheist.
Could just be a violent kid.
Could be on drugs.

Any of those and/or many more reasons could be why, imo.

It's not just young people. But I think it's the lack of diversity that some kids have. For instance, I go to an all Dutch, all Christian school. When people who aren't Dutch come they are treated differently, it's not because they are purposely being that way, but because they have a severe lack of exposure. Too many parents feel a need to shelter their children from the world and all its diversities, and as a result children will go out, find something different, switch to it, and then be against the system their parents raised them in. I think young people need diversity and they need knowledge. Most kids don't know about other cultures or religions. At my school (A Christian school) most of the kids don't even know what HaShem (The God of the Bible) is. When kids (14-19) are faced with a lack of other cultures or styles they will either 1 be against all that is different, or 2 go against what they used to be and become something else. I think another big problem is American culture/society. In America we don't know as much as we should about other countries and stuff. Most teens in Europe and Asia know about the cultures around them and in other places. I'm sure a German boy knows a lot about the culture of a French boy after all they're right next to each other. But its different in America because IMO Americans are stupid. How many people (in America) know about Mexican, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Dominican, El Salvadorian, or Ecuadorian cultures? Let alone the differences. They see someone with darker skin speaking Spanish and they're a Mexican, but there's more than that. I have an Ecuadorian friend who gets really pissed when people call her a Mexican. I know Spanish people who don't like being called Mexican. How many people know the difference between the Asian cultures? How many people actually know that there is a way to tell a difference between the physical appearance of a Korean as opposed to a Chinese person. It is sad that in America we have this tremendous lack of cultural knowledge and love, especially since this is the most diverse country on the planet. I live in SoCal (THE most diverse place on the planet) and yet those around me don't know that much about the Indians or Thais we see all the time in Artesia, or about the Koreans in La Palma, or the Mexicans in Lakewood. The lack of knowledge is even worse for religion. I was talking to some Christian (teen) friends of mine about Judaism and they couldn't understand that Jews also believe in God just not Jesus. I told them I was no longer a follower of Christ and they were like "So your Atheist now?" I said no, I still believe in God "Ooh, So then you ARE a Christian." No, I'm not a Christian, I don't follow Christ, "So your a Muslim?" And it's like wtf is wrong with you people. I think the responsibility lies solely with the parents. Parents are parenting in a style that is dangerous to their children, and in a way that leaves them severely unprepared for the world they are going to someday step into. Parents aren't given their kids enough experience or cultural knowledge. Part of this is because their parents didn't know, and their parents parents didn't know, and so on and so forth. It's a continuing cycle that is going in a downward spiral. It's dangerous for the Youth because they don't know what they're doing when they get out in the real world, and they get paranoid, and testy, and violent. Anyways, In answer to your question about what the world would be like, it will be a terrible place. Which is why we as individuals need to take responsibility and teach our fellow people about other cultures. When you don't know about a culture and stumble upon it the first time, your first reaction is fear of what you do not know. We must educate ourselves and our human bretheren to overcome this fear.

Wow! Great post, Knight of Zion! And being an outsider looking in, I have met many wonderful Americans. IT is the uneducated ones that seem kind of scary, you are right.

I can agree with a lot of what you said little buddy. People are ignorant of other people's culture and belief systems. I'm glad I raised my kids to be educated and tollerant of others. The world is such a colorful place and everyone should be able to enjoy the diversities it has to offer.

That's good. I myself was raised around people of many cultures and I noticed that people are all the same, it's just their habits that are different.

I agree with a lot of what you say, Knight, but I dislike generalizations like this. Stereotypes do little to promote tolerance or understanding.

Not all Americans are "stupid." My mother raised us with a strong respect and a natural curiosity for other countries and cultures. My University would have an annual "Cultural Diversity Day" where our foreign students would get a chance to show what was best about their culture and religion and share their experiences. We also had a Native American Group join us. They gave wonderful talks about their belief system and way of life, they did a few dances, and they told us some wonderful stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. It was fascinating time.

My children are taught about different cultures in school. They also have people from different backgrounds visit and give talks. My ex-boss, who was from Palestine, was asked to give a talk about his culture and religion.

My grandparents were immigrants, and both my parents were bi-lingual. The only Americans in this country that AREN'T from another country are the Native Americans. So most of us do have roots in other cultures and countries. I think that perhaps the younger generations have forgotten, or have never been taught, this fact. As parents, it is our responsibility to instill into our children a natural human respect for others (and I'm sorry to say that in my opinion, your comment wasn't very respectful).

Since I see this problem in EVERY culture, I think it goes beyond just a Religious/American problem. I see a lack of human respect in most everything now adays. I think the root cause is a moral issue, but I won't go into it now because it would probably derail this thread.

As with every country, and every belief system, there are those groups who take things to an extreme and are ignorant and disrespectful of others. I agree with you that there seems to be a growing problem in the United States. However, you probably could go to another country and find the same sentiment there, also.

Unfortunately, the way things are going, I doubt we’re going to see much improvement in the future. As the world gets more morally deficient, this type of behavior will continue and grow.

I believe it's mostly because they're ignorant and that they have nothing better to do, and that they think it's cool, haha. Almost like nazi's, I believe?

I know not ALL are stupid. But you see, we have more stupid people who vote, than we have smart people who vote, which is why we have a stupid government, and which is also why the rest of the world sees us as stupid

"Too many stupid people & nobody to eat them." - Carlos Mencia

Mencia is the MAN!

Are you sure it's because they're ignorant?

Many people are against what they see and understand.

Many people are sick and tired of the hatred that religion spews out daily here. If it's against women rights, homosexuals, race, our laws and more... The bigots keep talking. Sure they have their freedom to be bigots but it doesn't mean that they're not going to be looked on kindly by everybody in America.

People are sick of places of worship being defaced... I'm upset over under god on our money and in our schools each morning... I'm upset over bigot morality making laws against all people in the United States... I'm upset over public property and taxes going towards bigotry... I'm upset over the people telling me I should be killed or something because I'm an atheist... I'm sick and tired of bigots telling school system what to teach the future of our nation...

I'm sick of all that to Kratos but that isn't the discussion.

So you don't want examples of reason as of why people act out against faith in such a manner? You think people just hate faith because it's just there? You think they do it for no reason?

Yes I want to know
I just didn't want it to turn into your personal rant
Besides I was talking about young people with issues that don't really relate to your issues. I don't think they care or have a clue about god being on the money or in the pledge. They don't pay taxes or care about making laws. We do but they don't, yet.

I'm only 21 and I've had these feelings for quite a while, even as a teenager. My atheist peers have had the same feelings and I know there are other young nonbelievers that feel the same way... Young people aren't stupid or ignorant just because you want to say they are.

You asked for my thoughts and I have stayed on topic. As I recall: Could it be that they are tired of having dogma shoved at them and they are rebelling and I agreed and went onto that point.

I agree with KoZ, kids are just not taught tolerance and respect for others. I remember a thread here about a couple of Wiccan boys being kicked out of Boy Scouts because of their religion. What are people thinking when they do stuff like that, don't they see what they are teaching their children. If the parents aren't going to do the job then the school systems should step in. Bring back good social studies.

Ya know.... I was reading your post and thinking to myself "This kid has come a long way...."
And then I came to that statement I quoted. And, while the rest of your statement may have been wisely profound, I could no longer focus on your message.

Tell me something, do you practice being offensive? Or is it just some twisted way of getting attention? And please don't hide behind the "I said it was my opinion" bushwa. That is just an excuse to be a pratt. Appropriate that it should be in this thread, "The Ignorance of Youth".

Err, no. Not really. We make stupid assumptions about other cultures just as well. Racism is quite a problem here, because of people simply not knowing. I mean, look at me for example. I've studied the French language for years (in high school, but still). And still, even in the last year, people had to be told that the French do/don't eat certain things that we, here in Holland, do. People here just assume that it's the same everywhere.
Being right next to each other doesn't necessarily mean you know each other.

I think, however, with those churches burning and everything. It's the new generation, sad as it is. They don't know how to properly entertain themselves anymore, don't get any structure from their parents, and instead get put on the street. They've got a lack of morality. And their number is increasing. I see it more and more. Now I'm not saying the entire youth is like this, but there are more and more of them. And to think they will be the future. It makes me wonder how this world's going to end up.

Dark, many kids are lacking role models that model respect for others, we have many familys that teach that unless you are christian you are inferior, this is the problem.. teachings that all other constructs or paths are wrong by default ... . Tolerance, is such a loaded word to me and is used in religon that all others are sinful and wrong unless they are christian .....and the only mockery held acountable is those that disagree with christianity, they are above critique in thier minds....Few relgious ideas are held accountable for the devastaion they wreck...to say this will be met with disdain and i will be called a hater for not embracing a beleif that is harmful to so many and doing the worst thing of all voicing it this can't be tolerated period....it keeps the focus off of the real issue..... as a core beleif at this time tolerance is just a pipe dream...


on a practical level its on us as parents to celebrate diversity delight in it and remember just because the idea exists and is held by many doesnt make it a good idea and we need to allow our youth to learn the diffenrce..as it is now what is awful is held up as good...oy vey....its the implementaiion of ideas that has to be relooked at .....

I don't think they are stupid I just think they are ignorant and intollerant of other peoples beliefs. Instead of being comfortable with who they are and what they believe they show their immaturity by destroying the buildings of others they don't agree with.

Yes, many don't know about Wiccans. All the people I live around only know about Christianity, Islam, and Atheism. If your not Christian they assume your Atheist. If you say you believe in God, but not Jesus than your a Muslim and they make fun of you going "Allah! Allah! blahblubeepeeecacaAllah!" And I just laugh at them and say "I hope your Jesus actually CAN save you from your hell.


I don't know how much experience you have had with American people, but many of them are VERY stupid about some of the basic things. I mean, maybe it's just the LA/Orange County Area of SoCal that I live in (which btw has more people than the state of Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas combined), but I have only met a few intelligent Americans. Most of them are stupid people. Christians on Sundays, and back to sin again on the weekdays. They eat hot dogs and watch firework shows and laugh at the terribly not funny Napolean Dynamite. I must say that in terms of intelligence my German Shepherd is far more intelligent than the Americans I know.


I'm sorry for not lying and hiding my opinions when I think they're the truth. Excuse me for not wanting to lie and giving credence to the American youth (which, tragically, I'm a part of) and their severe lack of intelligence. Next time in order to make you feel better I will simply call them un-knowledgeable of things they should know about I don't know you JM, the only personal thing I know about you is that your name is Joey and I only know that because Sheri calls you that in her posts. I don't know your race or anything about you and your life. However, I myself am a black American 15 year old boy who knows all about lazy people. While I don' live in their areas (THANK GOD!) I know plenty of black folk due to the fact that I am one of them. I have LOTS of love for my people, I love them with a passion almost paralleled to my love for God (ALMOST). However, I have never seen a more lazy, more ignorant, more stupid, more poor and confused people than black people. It bugs the living God out of me. I cannot describe with words my passion and disdain for these people. I cannot describe how sad and yet unimaginably infuriating it is to see my people in such a state. They complain and complain and want pay back and take a free ride on welfare. And then they have THE NERVE to get in MY face and tell me that I am "not a real black person" because I try to do good in this world and behave in a civilized manner. Excuse me, for not giving a holy hell about the fact that their welfare check is late, or that they always have late bill, or that they can't afford child support because of blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. America is a country where you work hard to get where you want to be. In my book you don't get respect if all you can do with yourself is laze around and complain. I'm sorry if that makes you unhappy. I am sorry if you don't like the fact that I consider some people (who are lazy and stupid and don't work hard or take the time to learn about things) less than human. Excuse me if I call a person, who thinks that because I'm not Christian I'm an Atheist, stupid. Maybe it's offensive, but IMHO if your not smart enough to comprehend social/cultural/religious differences because of your own rampant stupidity than you DESERVE to be offended. I HOPE I offend the people who I call stupid because maybe it will wake them up and break them from their idiotic stupidity and get the to DO something with their lives. JM, I have seen a LOT of lives wasted by people who are not willing to use them, I have seen a lot of brilliant minds thrown to the trash because the person feels that that way of thinking is "white people thinking". I have seen countless child after child, teen after teen, who are so terribly and severely ignorant and unknowing of the world that it pains me. These people are so so so stupid. It's not solely their fault, it's their fault, and their parents fault, and the people around them's fault because NO ONE is doing anything to stop this madness. I'm sorry if it offends you that I think that the people (who have the greatest most prosperous land on Earth, the most wealthy empire ever to exist, the most prosperous and blessed nation in HISTORY and don't do a THING to stop and change the world.) stupid people. Yes, there are good people. But there aren't enough. We can only do so much in this world for good. But stupid people keep getting in the way. I'm sorry if you think it's wrong that I call a person, who does nothing to change this horror (which is the same as promoting), a stupid good-for-nothing low-life less than human ignorant and foolish dumb ass. I HOPE I offend such people because IMO they are nothing more than a stain on the sheet that is humanity, and MAYBE just MAYBE by offending them I can wake them out of their crap.



I agree and it's why I said Americans are stupid. If one would simply look at the generation coming up to take the reigns they would wonder what on earth did we do wrong in raising these people. But no, they don't notice, they stay in their happy little town with their same old tradition and don't do a damn to fix anything. Yet THEY complain about political decisions. In my opinion, when you pay taxes it's for rent, and only those who actually try and make America a better place should be tax free. If your gonna sit on your bum all day in your trailer park eating Frosted Flakes watchin CNN (from stolen cable) and complain about every political thing you don't like than I wouldn't give a damn about what you think America should be doing because as far as I'm concerned your not worthy to be called an American. Those who don't work for the good are just dead weight and are holding us back.

Just wanted to point out that all children are born ignorant, and that for even the most intelligent and well nurtured child it takes considerable time to develop wisdom; including its many components of knowledge, judgement, morality and others.

However, that said, the only way children can develop wisdom is through the guidance (personal or second hand through books etc) of those who already possess it. Although an independent brain can work its way through some logical and moral dilemmas, it normally requires both a lot of factual information, and collective wisdom, to make the most successful use of this mental process. In one way or another, this is only available from those who already possess it.

Moral :Don't blame young people for intolerance, or their many other "faults."

I guess a number of posters were pointing this out in a more personal way.

I absolutely think there should be a more involved "social studies" in schools. World cultures should be a REQUIREMENT in my opinion, by at LEAST sophomore year.

Reason I think this (I've told this in another threat somewhere before, so I'll keep it short and sweet incase someone else has already read it) I had a friend in high school who was born and raised a Wiccan. It's not like a phase she went through or a high school fad like MOST teenage Wiccans, she was actually raised in a Wiccan home. She wore a pentacle to school once, around her neck on a chain. The security lady who spotted it, yelled at and humiliated her in front of a large group of students and escorted her to the principles office, where she would be told to leave immediately until her "satanic" articles were removed from her body. They threatened her with expulsion if it happened again.

So naturally, (being as IGNORANT as the DAMNED people were) her mother came stomping into the princples office, and then proceeded with some impressively verbal aggression to "educate" the faculty on exactly what her religion was. Needless to say after this little meeting, Pentacles were allowed to be worn as long as they were right side up.

Things like this happen on a daily basis in MANY places. Children simply ARE NOT exposed to enough diversity, whether it be the parents fault or not. I truly believe many times it simply circumstancial. If you live an an area where there aren't many people around you other than white christians, and there never really have been for 3 or 4 generation of your family...you wouldn't know any better (or at least not really think about it as "important" to teach you kids about things outside of your environment. I'm not saying this is inherently "okay" by any means...I'm saying ignorance breeds ignorance, and sometimes, it could be circumstancial. I will be the first to admit I've first hand seen some willingly ignorant people, and that's sad. Probably too many for this country's own good.

In any case, this is why I'd agree to include some kind of world cultures/social studies classes that go more indepth into religions/cultures as lit lessons. Especially to teenagers, where discrimination is at its highest. If kids were exposed to and educated about more, they'd have less to fear, less to be ignorant of.

Sorry If I ranted

it is hard to say what motivates some people...i have seen kids raised with every advantage turn in to the most rotten people...and i have seen kids who had no advantage turn in to model citizens...what i thought i knew about sociology has long been tossed out the window...i believe that the moral standards and self control is taught at a very early age and if this is not done properly by the person/s raising the child then that child will react to society at large with contempt and disrespect...i do not think it has anything to do with having dogma thrown in their faces...i think they use that as a cop out to shirk the responsibility of their actions...

randomhit10

I think society is at fault in general. So I vote ALL of the above.

Has anyone ever seen the movie "Idiocracy" ? (low-budget but funny.as hell in a sad way)Well that is what America and the MTV generation is turning into. And just because a country has lots and lots of very rich people (and lots of poor) and the greatest military strength does not make it the greatest country people !! You got to look at the whole thing-bad, good and ugly. But yes it is great.

Don't worry -Europe isn't far behind thanks to "americanization".

The kids in the US are too busy "acting cool" which is "uncool" if you have sh*t for brains.
I think the MEDIA is at major fault for this (consumerism,materialism, poor role models with lotsa moey and "stuff"), poor educational standards,patriotic brainwashing, christian upbringing that defines values but refutes science and reasoning, black & white thinking,us & them thinking ,extreme materialism and and and .........(we have "some" of the same problems in Europe) But the education is better-it's very secular-always skeptical and watchful of their governments- but the rest is basically the same. The kids are acting and looking like gangstas too now,superficiality is blooming and many of the kids are extremely materialistic.

Shows like the Simpsons, American Dad,Family Guy, The Daily Show and SouthPark have been trying to make us painfully aware of this in a humerous way. poking fun at american society and it's naiveness.

And KOZ give black society a chance !! Look how far black people have come (esp.american black women) -they are go -getters ! It will only get better.

It has nothing to do with their race -it's the enviroment they are in.

Humans are like plants -give them the right nurturing and enviromental conditions and most will flourish.

I think they do it because it just so freakin' ANNOYING to see so-called intelligent people walk around talking about god and jesus.
That crazy idiot on Big Brother 8 a couple of weeks ago totally messed up the game because she thought GOD wanted her to vote the way she did.

Give me a break.

A church is just a social club where people willingly go to be brainwashed.

Don't forget guilt !! Getting rid of all that guilt is like the best BM you ever had ! Aaaah................

I agree that Europe isn't far behind on America. The amount of young people here that only care about what's "cool" is worrying. I was either called names or plain out ignored at high school, because I sometimes actually studied, dressed differently and thought differently than the other kids. And it's all mainly based on American films and music, and MTV most of all.
*kicks MTV*
Oh, and like said before, it's also a lot of the parent's fault, for either not caring about their kid, or thinking their kid is the best no matter what that child does. You can try and teach children as much as you want at school, if at home the parent doesn't care or doesn't give an example of what the children were taught at school, then it's not going to work. School and parents should work together in raising children to respecting and respected adults. But most of the time this isn't the case, which is really sad.

I don't know... I can't say kids are ignorant... I don't in all honesty have much contact with teenagers, I never really did, with the exception of my own child who is almost 20 now.

I only come into contact with teens in two places really. At church, and those kids rock, they tend to be socially aware, respectful, and centered... our faith tends to inspire that. Kids at my church are not considered "christian" or members of the church until they convinced that it's the right thing. Many are never convinced, and that's understandable.

The second group I come into contact with are at the local high school. I have SERIOUS issues with the educatoinal standard in this country and part of my personal code is to be active in correcting that problem. I teach afterschool classes in computing and career development. The teens I meet there tend to also be good kids, they're the ones that are searching for more than what they get in class during the regular day. They are also focused, respectful, responsible and open. I get a kick out of these two groups of kids I work with. Some of them have really challenged my pea brain. I love that.

I think a lot of kids today lack respect and drive have that problem for a lot of reasons, and it's not wholly their fault, or even their parents fault. Is everyone's fault--society, the social concepts of the American Dream. In my area I see less poverty, but do see a lot of adults who put tremendous pressure on kids to excell. It's so very complex, and so very damaging.

Today, there are thousands of options for kids to find their path in life, unfortunately, there's very little assistance to help them find what their path should be.

A quick lilttle story... I had one young man in one of my career development courses at the HS. I think some folks might have considered him one of those "ignorant youth" ... his folks were white collar upper-class people, they were pushing and pressuring him to do well in school, pick a college, go be a doctor or a computer programmer or something equally prestigious. What his parents NEVER realized was that this young man was mechanically adept. He was great with his hands, cars were something he understood and loved. Frankly, against his parents wishes, I gave him information on how to attend HS AND go to a vocational school (for free no-less) at the same time and really learn what it was to be a mechanic. I left the responsibility of persuing the voc tech up to him, I did nothing to help him get into the program. He did it. He's 22 now, he is the head mechanic for a Soverign (vintage) racing team, and he loves his job and life. His parents are still unhappy with his choice, but at least they are smart enough to see that he DOES love what he does. Those seem to be the kind of options that the adults around some of these kids don't see... forget the prestige, find what you love, and DO IT. With that, will come the focus and sense of purpose.

Thanks for showing a positive side to the story, Miss! I have two teenage sons, and they are great kids (I just wish they would clean their rooms). My sister's boy hangs with a great crowd of kids, too, and they all have bright futures.

I think what makes these teens different is that they have a strong support system (ie. family, church, school). I feel so bad for those teens who don't get that advantage.

.
A little advice.... Close the door or you'll drive yourself nuts


This isn't always the case. You can do your best but that is no guarantee.

I think they are most likely tired of having a God shoved in their faces and told they are doomed to hell if they dont choose the same route as them...that would piss anyone off