Connecting in the wrong places

   In our current times, a major shift has taken place; indeed, a cultural shift which affects you, me, and everyone in our country.  At a distressingly increasing rate, young people are setting their hearts on the secular things of the world, and abandoning their churches in numbers that have never before been seen.  As this trend continues to grow, it has been statistically seen that three in every four churchgoing youth are likely to leave their congregation and choose a life where they are no longer religiously obligated.  Young people receive the majority of their religious beliefs, as well as their religious motivation for church attendance, from their parents.  So, as one can accurately assume, these changes in attendance and devotion to their denominations most commonly occur in the late years of high school and the early years of college when the young people leave home for the first time.  Parents grow increasingly alarmed as the children who they have raised to hold benign values and continue to be gospel-loving individuals turn to new ways which embody unrighteousness (Nielson).  This growing issue which encompasses the hearts of many church goers with fear is being caused by a number of modern external and internal influences; namely influences from peers, a growing world of media, and a natural desire for rebellion.