Religious young people- know any?

Tha Gopher · 22-07-2008 09:30PM #1

Bit in the paper the other day on how 800 young Irish catholics had presumably spent an arm and a leg flying to Australia specifically for world youth day to see the Pope. Got me thinking, Id be hard pressed to think of many young people who would spend a quid taking the bus to the Phoenix Park down the road if he made a visit.

So, do you know any religious young people? Who loyally

Attend mass every weekend without fail
Dont listen to any music with bad language or drug connotations
Dont get drunk
Have never tried an illegal drug
No porn, no pre marital sex, no strip clubs while on a lads holiday
Never use bad language
Regularly goes to confession

Lets face it, most lads in their 70s may go to mass but the majority of them didnt live their life under the above rules. Im talking about people who arent just going to mass to be seen or whathaveyou.

I only ever knew one person like this, a girl I was in college with. Not the best looking, conservatively dressed, very straight laced (though she did mention being drunk the odd time), not the most exciting person I ever knew. Used to bore us half to death with what I regarded as self serving stories of her work with various church groups, church this church that I climbed this mountain in Albania for the church church church thing.....as said charitable acts are all well and good if you dont use them to boost your own rep.

So yep, in all my years Ive met one young religious catholic. Have yet to personally know a religious young muslim (though I knew one Irish raised lad who ate non halal meat, drank, smoked hash, did pills and coke the very odd time, not often but had taken them, chased birds like anyone else, went to the mosque only because the oul pair made him, yet he wouldnt touch pig meat if you paid him! Worked with him in a chipper years ago, despite the rest of the Islamic rules meaning little to him he would get other people to make the sausages or bacon!)

HalloweenJack · 22-07-2008 09:37PM

I don't know a single person like that.

Of course, I do know a million people who swear blindly that they're great Catholics but they hardly turn up to Church and they do commit all those moral sins that go against the spirit of Catholicism.

Being Irish and a Celtic fan is enough for them.

elmyra · 22-07-2008 09:39PM

I went to World Youth Day the last time around in Germany and three friends of mine have gone this time. It's not about never using bad language or never having a drink - you'd be hard pressed to find Catholics in general like that, never mind young ones. JesusFest isn't all hardcore prayathons, just meeting likeminded people who don't mind saying that they believe in God and go to an oul mass now and again.

chopperbyrne · 22-07-2008 09:45PM

I friend of mine is very religious.

She now works as an editor for a magazine called Scripture Union.

Tha Gopher · 22-07-2008 09:47PM

elmyra wrote: »

I went to World Youth Day the last time around in Germany and three friends of mine have gone this time. It's not about never using bad language or never having a drink - you'd be hard pressed to find Catholics in general like that, never mind young ones. JesusFest isn't all hardcore prayathons, just meeting likeminded people who don't mind saying that they believe in God and go to an oul mass now and again.

I hate to take my own thread off topic but Ive just had a Ted inspired daydream about a group of young Irish Catholics on a plane home from Oz who start rapidly running low on fuel as they fly over the Black Sea.

"Maybe if we just have, like, a bit of an old pray....maybe....God will help us?"

Despite having said all that I said in my OP anti Catholic conspiracy theorists are a more retarded bunch than bible bashers.

Anywho.....

Flukey · 22-07-2008 09:48PM

World Youth Day is a once in a lifetime experience. I should know. I have done it 3 times. The others on the ones I were on certainly didn't all fall into the description in the opening post.

Dudess · 22-07-2008 09:49PM

My mate's sis is 24 and has been going to mass religiously (heh) every week since she was a child, and she does readings, minister of the eucharist and all those kinda shenanigans. And she goes to "devotions", "adoration" (what the hell?) and novenas. She's a very decent person too - definitely christian-like in her behaviour. And she doesn't talk about her religious habits either.

But... she has sex - and not even relationship based sex. She's a bit of a pushover as far as blokes are concerned and they treat her like a booty-call. She's one of these "if I blow him, maybe he'll like me and marry me" types. And she drinks too - not just a couple, she gets pissed. And it's not a rarity either. Still though, no matter how nasty the hangover, she'll be at mass the day after.

I respect what she does, but at the same time, I find it hard to take her seriously as a catholic when she's broken some of its most sacred rules. A christian definitely, a catholic no.

I've another mate who's kinda similar, but not as consistent. She won't go to mass if she's hungover, pulled a fella etc. She's also a pushover for fellas. But she's a very decent person and again, doesn't go on about her religious habits.

My cousin never misses mass either. And she's only gotten pissed a handful of times in her life. She's with her fella seven and a half years now and I presume they've had sex at this stage - but I wouldn't rule out abstinence either. Might seem crazy, but I'd imagine her more capable of complying with it than anyone else.

Phlann · 22-07-2008 09:51PM

I was in the audience for Questions & Answers shortly after the Pope died and was amazed how many young people there actually gave a sh1t.

I was fully expecting people to be critical of his stance on contraception or divorce or any of the myriad outdated principles that the church clings to but it was nothing like that.

One girl who was about 21 banged on for about ten minutes about her love for JP and talked about how the young people of Ireland were mourning his loss (I was practically choking in disbelief at this stage).

Then a young guy started to talk and the first thing he mentioned was that he was gay, so I was thinking 'Okay, bit of balance on the way', but no. In fact he nearly broke down crying talking about how his 'beloved Holy Father' was gone forever.

Nobody I know is religious so this was like the twilight zone for me.

I don't know if it was just Diana Syndrome or what but it would seem there's still a few young folk who care about all this stuff. Can't say I'm one of them, but there you go.

mahamageehad · 22-07-2008 09:53PM

Tha Gopher wrote: »

So, do you know any religious young people? Who loyally

Attend mass every weekend without fail
Dont listen to any music with bad language or drug connotations
Dont get drunk
Have never tried an illegal drug
No porn, no pre marital sex, no strip clubs while on a lads holiday
Never use bad language
Regularly goes to confession

Not sure but i dont think the about lines in bold are actually requirements of being a catholic or religious. Think "bad" language is ok as long as you dont take the name o the lord(or his friends) in vain ie:
"o god" "o holy mother of jesus" "christ above" "o jesus mary and joseph"

But to answer your question...no I dont know anyone like that!! I went to lourdes as a youth volunteer 2 years ago and none of the 52 youths there were very religious!!

Terry · 22-07-2008 09:57PM

Yore m...
Wait...

Yeah. Just three and they are sisters in their 20's.

vorbis · 22-07-2008 09:58PM

Gopher, where did you find that list of requirements????

The sex, confession and mass ones are about the only ones relevant to Catholicism!

Flukey · 22-07-2008 10:08PM

Dudess wrote: »

I respect what she does, but at the same time, I find it hard to take her seriously as a catholic when she's broken some of its most sacred rules. A christian definitely, a catholic no.

She and others like her are Catholics, not saints, which it seems is what some people expect Catholics to be.

Tha Gopher · 22-07-2008 10:09PM

Flukey wrote: »

World Youth Day is a once in a lifetime experience. I have done it 3 times

Eh?

:pac:

Dudess wrote: »

My mate's sis is 24 and has been going to mass religiously (heh) every week since she was a child, and she does readings, minister of the eucharist and all those kinda shenanigans. And she goes to "devotions", "adoration" (what the hell?) and novenas. She's a very decent person too - definitely christian-like in her behaviour. And she doesn't talk about her religious habits either.

But... she has sex - and not even relationship based sex. She's a bit of a pushover as far as blokes are concerned and they treat her like a booty-call. She's one of these "if I blow him, maybe he'll like me and marry me" types. And she drinks too - not just a couple, she gets pissed. And it's not a rarity either. Still though, no matter how nasty the hangover, she'll be at mass the day after.

LOL

My mam works with someone a bit like this (though she is around the 40 mark). Apparently a very nice would give you her last penny type of person, drinks like a fish, swears like an army major, as you said does the novenas, devotions and other events my mam had thought largely died out by the late 70s. Goes to Lourdes and Medjgorje (sp) and then tells them all about how absoloutely legless pissed her and the rest of them get on these trips

Gopher, where did you find that list of requirements????

The sex, confession and mass ones are about the only ones relevant to Catholicism!

meh. Im fairly sure it teaches alcohol is for either religious purposes, tasting or at most one or two relaxers, rather than getting completely bollixed. And the Vatican are hardly 50 Cent, Quentin Tarantino or rave music fans I shouldnt imagine. Nor of Marley and Peter Tosh waxing lyrical about how marijuana is Gods gift to earth that must be smoked in his praise (Id be in mass every Sunday relaxing the hangover with a few if this was the case of established religion here

)

Phlann wrote: »

I was fully expecting people to be critical of his stance on contraception or divorce or any of the myriad outdated principles that the church clings to but it was nothing like that.

One girl who was about 21 banged on for about ten minutes about her love for JP and talked about how the young people of Ireland were mourning his loss (I was practically choking in disbelief at this stage).

Then a young guy started to talk and the first thing he mentioned was that he was gay, so I was thinking 'Okay, bit of balance on the way', but no. In fact he nearly broke down crying talking about how his 'beloved Holy Father' was gone forever.

Nobody I know is religious so this was like the twilight zone for me.

I don't know if it was just Diana Syndrome or what but it would seem there's still a few young folk who care about all this stuff. Can't say I'm one of them, but there you go.

meh. JP II seemed an alright guy, made alot of effort in terms of peace making and human rights, so tbh who cares what he thought about contraception and divorce. If people are silly enough to deny themselves contraception because an old Polish man in Rome tells them not to that is their own fault, not the Popes.

ffs, in an effort to boost business this year Benedict proclaimed anyone who visits Lourdes this year will spend less time in purgatory :eek:

Lockstep · 22-07-2008 10:09PM

Alcohol is allowed in the bible:

In Psalm 104: 14-15, King David writes that God gave us wine in order to "gladden the heart of man."

Terry · 22-07-2008 10:15PM

kickoutthejams wrote: »

Alcohol is allowed in the bible:

In Psalm 104: 14-15, King David writes that God gave us wine in order to "gladden the heart of man."

In moderation.
Gluttony is oneof the seven deadly sins.

thelordofcheese · 22-07-2008 10:16PM

I know one person like you've described. He's a fairly sound sort (oddly, he's got no problem with torrenting Tv Shows and stuff, but nobody is perfect) even if he and I disagree on just about everything.
Though he is a protestant do i dunno if that counts, or at least i think he is, it's one of those denominations, i tend not to pay attention to the flavour of jewish zombie worshipper people claim to be.

Also, Dudess, can i have your friends numbers? the easy ones now, not the other one.

what2do · 22-07-2008 10:36PM

Just thinking about this one - if they have sex but go to confession does that absolve that sin?!

Holsten · 22-07-2008 11:11PM

I know a few quite religious born again christians and a few muslims, yet they are all pick a choose religious people.

Like the christians are actual Young Earth creationists, yet they still drink and do other stuff young adults would do. Same with the muslims.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-07-2008 11:16PM

what2do wrote: »

Just thinking about this one - if they have sex but go to confession does that absolve that sin?!

I would iamgine that there would have to be genuine remorse in order for the sin to be forgiven.

As regards the question: yes. But mainly bling-obsesssed muslims (who seem to have embraced capitalism and Islam in equal measures - not sure what the Qu'ran makes of that).

Don't know any adult catholics between 18 my age (mid 30s) who attend mass, let alone do the rest of it.

22-07-2008 11:49PM

kickoutthejams wrote: »

In Psalm 104: 14-15, King David writes that God gave us wine in order to "gladden the heart of man."

Oh, thanks for my Tuesday sermon. I found the message very inspiring, so now I just might follow those profound words and seek a cool one.

Dman001 · 22-07-2008 11:52PM

Is there actually any young people that don't drink or do drugs. I'm starting to believe they are quite rare.

Dudess · 23-07-2008 12:02AM

Young people who drink - definitely rare.
Young people who do drugs - well they're plentiful but I'd suspect the majority don't.

Flukey wrote: »

She and others like her are Catholics, not saints, which it seems is what some people expect Catholics to be.

Hmmm... I'd agree with what you're saying if she was having sex within a steady relationship (e.g. my cousin who's with the same guy since 2000, I couldn't blame her for having sex with him) but being a handy speed dial for guys who've got the horn at 4am?

elmyra · 23-07-2008 12:02AM

Dman001 wrote: »

Is there actually any young people that don't drink or do drugs. I'm starting to believe they are quite rare.

I don't know if I still count as young (21) but I don't do drugs. Have had drinks previously, but not into that scene either. You might call me a dry ****e, come to think

Pigwidgeon · 23-07-2008 12:05AM

im 17 and i have a friend who does pretty much all that, she runs the local junior st vincent de paul, and helps out at church most weeks too, did some thing recently where she went to dublin to paint some flats or something!
her mum is very religious too... think she nearly became a nun at one stage! (the mum not my friend)

Undefinable · 23-07-2008 12:06AM

Not a one do I know. I do know a ton of people who claim to be Catholics but never go to mass and aren't very Christian-like, yet pity me for my lack of belief.
They wonder why it doesn't scare me to think there's nothing else after death. But I'm not the one who has to face this God they believe in whose rules they haven't lived by. I reckon they should be scared if that's what they really believe.

Dman001 · 23-07-2008 12:06AM

When I say young I mean under 18.

elmyra · 23-07-2008 12:09AM

Dman001 wrote: »

When I say young I mean under 18.

Ah well, I was the same when I was under 18

mumhaabu · 23-07-2008 12:13AM

The whole moral high ground and "No sex ever" turned me off plus the whole standing and kneeling. If we could have more singing and more sitting in Church it would be great.

I attended a Evangelical Born Again Christian thing once while in America to get the a feel of the grassroots of Bush's bible belt. I tell you it was interesting and between the interest taken in me before and afterwards as an Irish Catholic I was amazed.

They really wanted to "convert" me, what struck me was the incredible amount of young people at "Church" and the fact was most of them (women) were of shall I say of less than perfect moral fibre:eek: as I found out afterwards:D It is a case of lady in the street and freak in the bed!

Mass is for folkies, Sunday Morning for me is a blow (not married makes it better) and reading Pat Spillane in the Sunday World until 12pm then a nice breakfast and down on with the Sunday Game and a few cool beers.

The joys of being Catholic I can then wipe my slate clean as I will be genuinely remorseful as my other 6days will be a slave to the bank's repayments and my female halfs insatiable spending habits (poor credit card).

biko · 23-07-2008 12:13AM

No but I know some Straight edge guys

Pyr0 · 23-07-2008 01:55AM

I know a few people who are born again christians, they go to God camp sometimes and trips all over the place. One friend is actually over in Austrailia with her sister atm, very serious about their beliefs that kind of thing. They're a nice bunch of people though and do the usual teenager stuff like everyone else, its just some of their beliefs don't stand well with me personally !

PrivateEye · 23-07-2008 02:23AM

I know one bloke alright, who is very into the whole God of Love idea. I remember his eh..faith only coming out fully around the time of the Miss D case (The teenage girl who wanted to travel to the UK for an abortion)- a lot of talk about 'Gods baby' and how if it lived for three minutes it would be 'three minutes as Gods baby' and so on.Crazy talk. His feelings on homosexuals were equally inspiring. I heard he went to the land of Oz there last week, I'm sure they all had a big chat about Gods babies and how to protect them from them horrible Gays :rolleyes:

He actually campaigned for a No vote on Lisbon on shady religious Coir grounds. I was actively campaigning for a No in many of the same areas, and I'm pro-choice and all the rest. Always best to knock on a door after lunatics like that.

Most 'christians' I know are lazy half-arsed religious people who show up at Easter/Christmas and the sort and feel good about themselves for 10 minutes, promising to go 'every Sunday from now on'

Was listening to a tune by a band called NOFX today (yesterday, its nearly half two!), and this verse stuck with me:

It's not that I don't belive in Jesus Christ.
It's just I care about other things.
The world could certainly use some miracles,
Until then I'll put my faith in human beings

Religious young people- know any?

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