Anonymous wrote:My daughter was invited to something with a friend, and she went. I think it was a movie night. They were not proselytizing....anyway, my DD's Atheism is strong. It seemed to me the purpose was to get the kids together in a save zone and off the phones. Not a bad idea. But, I still worry about the proselytizing.

With that said, if a creepy youth pasture tried to seduce my innocent daughter, she knows to kick him where it hurts.

You are misinterpreting the seduction going on -- it isn't sexual, it is religious. PPs don't mean creepy and predatory in a sexual way. They will prey on your child's insecurities and fears and allow her to let go of those negative feelings while with the feel good group. Not a bad thing. They will not proselytize because they know that doesn't work with teens. It will become her safe and happy place, then eventually she will learn that "Jesus is the way" to this bliss. And, hey, for many it absolutely is, but if you don't want your kid going down that road ....

The atheist may run strong in your kid, but every teen is impressionable and in flux, and parents are no longer their primary guides. Choose who guides them from this point forward with your eyes wide open.

I don't think it is creepy or predatory, and that it is a safe social environment that keeps kids out of trouble, but the ultimate goal is absolutely to win souls for Christ, even if slowly and by peer pressure, wanting to fit in osmosis. And it does work more often than you might think. So if you are "strong Atheist" don't send your kid.

We are atheists although I grew up in the Episcopal Church with several that were downright evangelical (yes, back in the 70s, there were such thing as "born again" Episcopalians...weird).

Having gone through my own childhood exposed to all sorts of "harmless" (but not really) youth groups, there is zero way I would let my children attend any religious youth group. There is always a proselytizing goal whether it is explicit or implicit.

My daughter was invited to something with a friend, and she went. I think it was a movie night. They were not proselytizing....anyway, my DD's Atheism is strong. It seemed to me the purpose was to get the kids together in a save zone and off the phones. Not a bad idea. But, I still worry about the proselytizing.

With that said, if a creepy youth pasture tried to seduce my innocent daughter, she knows to kick him where it hurts.

Anonymous wrote:Young Life is a fantastic organization. I was part of it in high school during the 80s, and my kids have loved it as well. It's not "predatory" or "creepy" in any way. It's just a bunch of kids having fun, doing corny skits, singing, being goofy, and talking a little about Jesus at the end. You don't have to be Christian to attend, but it is definitely a Christian organization. There are retreats which are fantastic and which I wish I could go on again. Some of the best memories of my high school years are from Young Life. It's a great group of kids and leaders and I highly recommend it without reservation.

I've never heard of Wyldlife, so I can't speak to that.

I disagree- I participated in Young Life for a little in high scjkkk, even though my family wasn’t Christian. We were encouraged by the cool, young, hip leaders to invite the dorky less popular kids in our grade. Popular students were frequently asked to host the weekly meetings.

Young Life is a fantastic organization. I was part of it in high school during the 80s, and my kids have loved it as well. It's not "predatory" or "creepy" in any way. It's just a bunch of kids having fun, doing corny skits, singing, being goofy, and talking a little about Jesus at the end. You don't have to be Christian to attend, but it is definitely a Christian organization. There are retreats which are fantastic and which I wish I could go on again. Some of the best memories of my high school years are from Young Life. It's a great group of kids and leaders and I highly recommend it without reservation.

I've never heard of Wyldlife, so I can't speak to that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sort of creepy in a glassy eyed, perpetually smiley, hands in the air earnest Christian rock kinda way.

Ah, so yes- It is still the same paradigm.

But now the "youth leaders" have tattoos and piercings. "I'm not like those other pastors; I'm a cool pastor."

Anonymous wrote:Sort of creepy in a glassy eyed, perpetually smiley, hands in the air earnest Christian rock kinda way.

Ah, so yes- It is still the same paradigm.

Sort of creepy in a glassy eyed, perpetually smiley, hands in the air earnest Christian rock kinda way.

Never heard of them.

I’m a practicing Catholic and think any youth-oriented group can have predatory adults. Most probably don’t, but all possibly could. As a parent, you need to screen hard and constantly re-examine. As a teen, I was groomed by a young adult in a totally secular youth organization.

Never heard of them.

The reason I am asking is that perhaps it is an entirely different paradigm now (?)

As a teen, I actually thought these groups (Wyldlife is new to me) were predatory. My neighbor is wondering about her 13 year daughter repeatedly being invited to retreats, events, etc., even though they are not Christian and the child has declined. Now the child says she wants to go because everyone is.
I have no current experience to offer.