What shape our young people today?

There's a lot of attention on the mental problem of Cho Seung-hui, the Virginia Tech killer. When I watched Cho's video playing on TV couple nights ago, I didn't see a person with mental illness, I saw a young man filled with anger and frustration. What he said revealed a deep anger towards the world and the people around him. Never once has he blamed himself.

In trying to explain his behaviour away with mental conditions psychologists and psychiatrists called psychotic depression, avoidant personality disorder and schizophrenia etc., are we putting all the blame on him as he did to us? Are we as a society partly to blame for the tragedy that happened?

I remember feeling bewildered hearing a day after the video was broadcast that it was pulled out because the media was under heavy criticism, fearing that the video may inspire others to follow Cho's footsteps. I couldn't see why it should be a problem when substantially more violent video games are allowed to poison our young people's minds everyday. Not only are video games, but movies and TV programs that encourage violence as the answer to our problems.

And then there is individualism, the me culture. We are taught to think about ourselves first and encouraged to just do what we want and what feels good. Never mind whether it's right or beneficial to others. Consequences isn't in the equation. Just do it. Does it remind you of some ads?

How about victim mentality? If I'm screwed up, not getting along with people, couldn't hold down a job or get what I want, it's everyone else's fault except my own. We are too consumed and self absorbed to see past ourselves. Personal responsibility is a foreign concept, commitment is old fashion.

To make things worst, nothing is ever right or wrong. You've got your opinion and I've got mine. What's right for you doesn't necessary mean it's right for me. It's all relative. And if that's not enough, there's political correctness that we can no longer say what is right but what people want to hear. So is it any wonder why our young people are the way they are today?

If our society and media creates that environment and shape our young people to be individualistic, self absorbed and irresponsible persons who make their own rules and act on their impulse, why then are we startled when they behave as a result of the very culture that nutured them? I'm not saying Cho's behaviour is acceptable in any way, because he has a choice to choose to do right or evil and he chose the latter. But as a society, are we not in some ways reaping what we sowed?

What concerns me is to see those traits displayed in our church today. Christians, young and old are embracing the world's practices to interpret the scriptures to fit in with the way they live. There is no absolute truth anymore, God's words is subject to reinterpretation based on each person's situation.

Under the influence of our culture, young people are aspired to be cool and exclusive. They befriend people who look cool, dress trendy, speak the same language and act like them. They look out for each other in the group, but only accept those they like to include. Soon, there are little clicks appearing here and there. The church is supposed to be one body, but is as fragmented as the society of our day. The bond that unites Christians and the love that compels us have been replaced by spiritual individualism and tribalism.

I've experienced the joy of fellowship and unity in fellowships and young adult groups in various churches. It was a wonderful experience to have friends who come from different backgrounds and countries, have different interests and personality. Yet we could all share, enjoy each other, encourage, help and pray for one another and feel included because we all have one thing in common - our love for God.

That, in essence is what Ignite is all about. I long to see young people, striped of worldly influence and being grounded in the solid foundation of God's words, to express their love for God through extending their friendship to those around them and because of their love for one another, non-Christians will be attracted to the amazing God we serve. And that, is what I pray for the young adults in our church.

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35