As today's generations of American teenagers are maturing, the world is rapidly changing before them. The developing psyches of the next generation are now being influenced by a presence only experienced before through media, movies and video games: terror.

Before Sept. 11, terrorism was a well-known topic among America's youth. Modern day entertainment and media exhibited acts of terror frequently. But the reality of what terrorism could mean was never fully understood.

Now America has witnessed the destructive forces of the world at work. Teenagers have been jolted out of their peacefully jaded reality and been forced to open their eyes to the harsh realities of the real outside world. In the face of terror, young adults have had to reevaluate the society they live in. Among other aspects of teenagers' lives, personal beliefs in God are being heavily influenced by this new impending sense of danger.

Mike Brandt, principal of the Latter Day Saints Academy Seminary, observes, "Kids now are more concerned with their future. They wonder how this will begin to directly affect their lives and future plans."

Times of grave tragedy can lead some people to question their religious beliefs. Going to church can seem more mandatory, realizing death could come sooner than expected.

But how long can these changed attitudes be expected to last? Teenagers are notorious for having short attention spans. For some teenagers, the idea of going to religious services with their parents on the morning of their final day of weekend freedom was never very appealing. Now, in light of the crisis America has entered, 14-year-old Raymond Reilly describes, "It has become less of a chore."

In response to this tragedy, devoted members of congregations are seeing a widespread change in genre of services. Memorials are more common and prayers of remembrance are heard often. The entire event has taken on a somber tone.

The foundation of our attitudes toward our fellow man and the ideas of God we come to hold as our own are all greatly influenced by the events occupying our teenage years. The events of Sept. 11 are influencing teenagers today in a similar manner the Vietnam War influenced their parents. Questions of spirituality are arising in some teens as they search for an explanation.

"In the beginning it was like, 'How could God let this happen?'" explains Reilly, a Methodist freshman at the Las Vegas Academy. Yet, gathering with like-minded people you have come to know and love can help aid the nation's grieving process.

Faith can diminish a fear of death as well as enhance a belief that the universe is protected by an omnipotent God. Religions evolved in order to provide a sense of comfort. In primitive times, when religion was everything and science unheard of, people attributed natural occurrences to gods and spirits. The sun, the moon, the stars, all of nature's features, were explained to be under the control of supernatural forces. In today's diverse world, people search for spiritual support in a wide variety of settings. Retreats, prayer groups and even chat rooms offer supportive settings for varying beliefs.

Religious officials have been presented with the challenge of providing comfort and explanation to members of all faiths. Although these attacks were executed in the name of God, no religion has condoned the violence. Many young adults wonder how anyone could kill 5,000 fellow humans in the name of an all-loving God.

Stephen Shulman, a seventeen year-old junior at Bonanza High School, believes, "When tragedies have occurred in the past, God has been there. It is no different now. God gave people free will and through whatever we chose to do, He will always be there."

As scientific knowledge has expanded, religion has continued to provide comfort for individuals in need. Sixteen-year-old Jewish junior at LVA Annie Flanzraich admits, "Personally, synagogue is more comforting than religious. I've known a lot of the people there half my life, and it's just a comfortable place to be."

As this MTV generation turns on its televisions to find stories of tyrannical chaos, it starts to wonder what could happen next.

Flanzraich concludes, "It doesn't really matter what your religion is or if you believe in God at all. September 11 affected everyone's entire mindset."

-Return to February 2002 Issue-