A Shift in Public Opinion on Marijuana: The Millennial Effect

I was born in 1946.  That makes me a baby boomer.  Boomers were born between 1946 and the mid-60's.  Dad's came home from World War II ready to settle down and start families.  The average married couple had four children.  My generation impacted our society in a way no other generation had.  To begin with, we comprised the largest population group in American history.  We flooded the educational system: As an example. the community colleges were initially created to serve us.   Now a new generation, that outnumbers even the baby boomers, is impacting our culture.  In shear numbers the millennials, those born between 1984 and 2002, will dwarf my generation, and we are just beginning to feel their effect.

I was reminded of that again last week when I read a new report by the Barna Group.  According to their research done earlier this year, for the first time a majority of Americans favor the legalization of marijuana.  The margin is small, 51% in favor and 45% opposed, but the shift has begun.  I can say that because of the significant 11% swing in public opinion in the last two years.  You might ask: How can that be?  More and more millennials are becoming part of the adult population and according to the Barna folks, 65% of millennials favor the legalization of pot.  Warning: Before you start throwing stones you need to know that 50% of baby boomers also support the legalization of marijuana.  Another indication is the fact that 24 states have already taken steps to decriminalize the drug. 

I am not here to take a stand on the issue, although I do have an opinion.  I can see the issue from both sides.  As long as pot is illegal those desiring to use it will have to deal with the criminal element to get it.  That means supporting the Mexican Drug Cartel and well, you get the picture.  Marijuana is a gateway drug and the folks to peddle it will be glad to sell you something stronger.  To legalize it takes away that risk, but I also know the marijuana is a drug.  It promotes a lifestyle that I struggle to see as God-pleasing.  It also comes with health risks.  Let the debate go on.

I do know that we can never allow the court of public opinion influence who we are a God's people.  It's up to each of us to dig into God's Word and determine how it applies to our walk of discipleship.  To be honest, I don't believe God is going to condemn someone one to hell for smoking a joint, in the same way he is going to have mercy on those who commit other vices.  So, what should we be doing:

Be open to the opinions of others. Learn to listen and to love them for who they are,  I think that's what Jesus would want us to do.

Don't be so quick to judge.  Remember, we are all sinners in God's eyes.

Our actions will always speak the loudest.  Teens and young adults are watching to see how we run our lives.  At all times we need to be an example of hope, unconditional love and discipleship.

Americans Seek Wisdom, Not Salvation, in the Bible

Americans still value the Bible, just not in the same way they have in the past.  That is one conclusion I reached when reviewing a recent study done by The Barna Group.  According the research, 88% of American own a Bible, and 80% of us view the Bible as being sacred.  77% of Americans feel our country needs the Bible, with 32% reporting our nations problems could be solved if more people read the scriptures.  The media and corporate greed are viewed as the other reasons our country is in moral decline.

Millennials, more than older adults, turn to the Bible for wisdom when it comes to life issues.  Help with parenting was the top reason, with 42% of millennials listing in as a reason for turning to the Bible.  Dealing with family conflicts was the next most popular reason with 40%.  One third of millennials (33%) saw the Bible as a source of wisdom when it came to death or illness.  For those over thirty: 22% sought insights on parenting, 24% on dealing with family conflict and 17% on death and illness issues. Among the conclusions: millennials seemed to be intrigued by the role of the Bible in providing guidance and wisdom.  "It is a surprising expression of openness to Christianity amidst a  generational cohort that is increasingly post-religious," notes the report.

While I have always found the scriptures helpful when dealing with life issues, I find it more as a source of hope and comfort. I would never think of using the Bible as a parenting manual or a guide on how to run a successful business.  Only in the Bible can I find the incredible story of God's relationship with His people.  More than that, only in the Gospels can I read of Jesus' suffering, death and Resurrection.  Through the Epistles I am challenged in my walk of discipleship and service.  In the Book of Revelation I find comfort in reading that the battle is won and I can gain a glimpse of the glory that awaits me in heaven. 

Those of us who find our hope in the Good News of salvation found in Jesus Christ need to continue to share that message.  The most effective way is not with words, but rather through our actions.  The way we handle the issues of our everyday life should bear testimony to who we are as people of God.  Our reactions in time of crisis, even when facing death, should attest to the hope we have in Jesus.  We are always Easter people.

Easter: A Lesson from Mr. Munzel

I grew up in Detroit in the 50's and 60's.  It was a great city, nothing like the urban wasteland of today.  I grew up surrounded by family: Grandparents and aunts and uncles all lived in the same neighborhood.  Church was a big part of our lives.  We went to St. James Lutheran Church and George Kurz was the only pastor I knew till I left for college.  Pastor Kurz was not the only mentor I had.  I was surrounded by Sunday school teachers. confirmation sponsors, youth leaders and a volunteer who coached out boys basketball team.  One of the major influences on my spiritual development was Carl Munzel.  Mr. Munzel was the organist and choir director.  My parents sang in the choir, I joined the children's choir when in third grade and moved up through the ranks. During my junior year in high school  the senior choir had a shortage of treble voices and I was asked to join the bass section. 

It was during Lent of that year that Carl Munzel taught me an important lesson.  His words still ring in my ear as I prepare to celebrate another Easter.  Lent was a busy time for our choir.  In addition to singing every Sunday, we sang for every Lenten service, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  This particular Lent we must have been struggling to transition from "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted" to "Jesus Christ is Risen Today.  Our lack of enthusiasm for the anthems he had selected for Easter finally got the best of him.  He rose up from the piano bench and stood before us with anger in his eyes.  "Where would we be without Easter.  Christmas is a great celebration, but if the Baby Jesus hadn't died and risen again we would have no hope."
 
We are Easter People.  That means we are people of hope in the midst of a changing world.  That is the Good News we must celebrate this Easter, but it's also the message of hope we need to be share with all the children, youth and young adults in our lives.  Pass the torch.

Same-Sex Marriage: Public Opinion has Shifted

If you doubt the impact of the millennial generation, consider the impact they have had when it comes to public opinion on same-sex marriage.  Last week The Pew Research Center released the data on a survey done earlier this month.  According to their survey of 1,501 American adults, 70% of millennial adults favor same-sex marriage.  That compares with 49% of generation X and 38% of baby boomers.  Overall, 49% of Americans support the issue, as opposed to 44% who stand against it.  That is a reverse from ten years ago when 58% opposed and 33% favored.  Experts attribute the shift to millennials (those born after 1980) who joined the adult population.  It's not surprising that Rob Bell, a spokesmen for millennials when it comes to religious issues, last week announced his support for same-sex marriage. 

According the study, in the last ten years 14% of the population have changed their opinion from being opposed to being in favor of the issue.  Only 2% have reversed their opinion from supporting the issue to now being opposed.  The study did identify the reasons for the change in opinion, with the greatest reason being they now know someone who is a homosexual.  18% of those polled indicated they were just accepting the world view.  I suspect that Rob Bell is one of those who is just bending to popular opinion.

We can never allow the court of public opinion to effect who we are as Children of God.  As I read the Scriptures, God's desire is that marriage be the union between one man and one woman.  Over the course of history, there have been consequeunces when people have violated that.  If you watched the History Channel presentation of The Bible, you saw the account of Sodom and Gomorrah graphically depicted.   I know this puts me in the minority these day, and makes me politically incorrect, but I still know what God intended.  I also know that we need love those who hold different opinions or who practice behaviors that we find offensive.  Jesus always loved the sinner, it was their sin he found offensive.  When it comes to that I know he finds many of my thoughts and behaviors detestable.  Still, I know what God desires of us.

Rethinking the Need for Church Buildings

I know that many urban church sit half-empty on Sunday mornings, but a conversation I had last week caused me to think it can be an issue for congregations in the suburbs as well.  In the case of the most recent discussion, it's a mainline protestant church that built a new sanctuary twenty-five years ago.  The worship center was built to seat five hundred and the congregation had no problem filling it and soon added an additional service.  Today they have cut back to the one service and on the average less than a hundred people attend.  According to their pastor, they are currently looking at their options, but selling the building is a real possibility.  It caused me to ponder the question, why continue to build new sanctuaries when there are so many current facilities that are vacant or under-used?  Looking at current trends, who will be worshipping there in twenty years?

To think only in terms of a Sunday morning worship experience is to ignore the recent trends.  Those of us over forty still might value worship on the first day of the week but those under the age of thirty don't for the most part share our enthusiasm.  Look around your church some Sunday morning and count how many adults under the age of thirty you see.  Those who study the millennials generation (those under the age of thirty) note that they consider themselves spiritual, just not in the same sense as do baby boomers. They are seeking ways to relate their spirituality to their everyday lives.   They also are looking for a place where they can discuss faith and ethical issues in an honest way. In their minds the church, as it currently exists, does not allow for either need to be met. 

A good friend of mine, Steve Sandfort, pastors a new church in Saginaw, Texas.  It's a very different kind of church plant since it's a coffee house located in a strip mall.  The Edge Coffee House is their ministry.  On Sunday morning they worship there, but the rest of the week it's a place were people can gather.  The Union Coffee Shop, close to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, is a similar ministry.  What these type of ministries offer is a forum where issues of the day can be discussed.  More than that, grace can be experienced, and not just preached. 

Instead of building more churches and worship centers, I truly believe we need to be investing in ministry to people where they are at.  We can no longer put up a building, open the doors and expect people to come.  The church needs to be where the people are.  In the case of those under that age of thirty that probably will never be within the walls of a church building.

Why I Believe in Heaven and Hell

Hell is not a popular subject.  It seems that few people want to talk about it and some don't want to believe in it at all.  A recent survey done by the Pew Forum on Religion and the Public Life indicates that only about six in ten Americans (59%) believe there is a hell, as opposed to 74% how believe in heaven.  The number of those who believe in a physical heaven and hell has been slipping in recent years.  I see it as part of a trend brought about by the opinion that a loving God would not condemn anyone to eternal damnation.  That as opinion espoused by Rob Bell in his book Love Wins.   It's also a part of the belief system of many millennials.  Another popular belief, a view also held by many under the age of thirty, is that there are multiple paths that lead to the same God.

I don't pretend to understand how God works, nor can I fully comprehend the concept of heaven and hell.  I can only tell you what I know and believe through the Bible.  Both heaven and hell exists and one or the other will be an eternal reality for all people. Need proof: Check out Luke 11:19-31 and Matthew 21:33-45.  Need further evidence that their is a battle between the two kingdoms, read the book of Revelations, just remember the victorious team is always wearing white.   When it comes to the way to salvation, again I can point to the scripture.  Jesus makes it clear in John 14:6-7 and it's affirmed by Paul in Romans 5, especially verses 18&19. 

These are not  popular opinions in our current diverse social climate where we are taught to practice tolerance.  While we need to be loving and accepting toward those who hold to different faith and belief systems, we should never stray from our beliefs and principles.  This is part of our heritage of faith and it must be passed on to the next generation.  We shouldn't be focusing on the negative outcome, but on the glory that is eternal life, and how great it will be to have everyone we know and love there with us.

Making the Bedroom a No Cell Zone

A report on one of our local television stations earlier this week caught my eye.  The feature included an interview with a local doctor who specializes in sleep disorders. He stated that he is seeing many teenagers who want to take the prescription drug Ambien as a solution to their sleep problems.  Teenagers needing a sleep aid: Why should I be surprised?  Teens are following a pattern of behavior they see in adults.  If we have a symptom, there must be something we can take to make it go away.  Unfortunately, all too often the problem is created by a series of poor decision involving destructive behaviors.  There are behaviors that are obviously destructive, like abusing alcohol or tobacco.  Others are more subtle, like overeating or not getting the right amount of exercise.  The reality is if we continue to make poor choices, we should not be be surprised if the outcome is bad.

So what does this have to do with teens and their inability to fall asleep?  It turns out plenty.  In this case the poor choices involve the use of electronic devices.  Many teens never turn them off.  They sleep with their cellphones next to them and think nothing of texting late into the night.  As a result their brains never really do shut down.  They might turn off the lights but their senses are on alert waiting for the next message from a friend.  As a result, they have trouble falling asleep. 

An  obvious solution would be to make the bedroom a "no cell zone" or at least set a curfew, like no use of electronic devices between 10 PM and 6 AM.  That should be expanded to include laptops and tablets, or whatever else in electronic in their room.  A great way to reinforce that is for you to follow a similar guideline. 

We are a sleep deprived nation.  The average teen only gets around seven hours of sleep a night while experts point out they need more than nine hours per night.  That could be a two hour sleep deficit every night.  To me that sounds like a pretty destructive path.  The solution to that issue is not found in medication, but in helping teens make better choices.