Anonymous wrote:Without a doubt these groups are hoping to make a Christian out of her. They are looking to create a safe space for good clean fun and all that, and their sell may be soft, but in the end they are hoping your child will find Christ.

That said, shouldn't your own beliefs be strong enough that your child can enjoy an activity or two in a clean setting without losing her way?

Anonymous wrote:Christian kids don't ever get why non-Christian kids wouldn't just come along for the ride. To them, the religious stuff is so secondary to the fun that they don't see how it infuses every aspect of the organization.

It sucks being a non-Christian kid in an area where these organizations suck large numbers of your classmates out of school events and weekend availability, and it can be so tempting to just go. From experience (and I'm not even religious), the Christian element wears you down pretty quickly -- there's Christian music, and talk about missions, and frequent references to "the Lord" and Jesus and being blessed in passing, and there are short prayers for various purposes throughout.

I was happy to have a strong youth group through my temple, and didn't miss it much, but these groups foster bonds that are hard to get with these kids otherwise. Doesn't matter in a large, diverse area, but in a small area, it can really leave some kids out.

Same for SCA in high schools, which most Christian kids join (Society for Christian Athletes).

And OF COURSE the goal is to keep the youth in the church, and attract new youth. It's not called "evangelical Christianity" for nothing.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christian kids don't ever get why non-Christian kids wouldn't just come along for the ride. To them, the religious stuff is so secondary to the fun that they don't see how it infuses every aspect of the organization.

It sucks being a non-Christian kid in an area where these organizations suck large numbers of your classmates out of school events and weekend availability, and it can be so tempting to just go. From experience (and I'm not even religious), the Christian element wears you down pretty quickly -- there's Christian music, and talk about missions, and frequent references to "the Lord" and Jesus and being blessed in passing, and there are short prayers for various purposes throughout.

I was happy to have a strong youth group through my temple, and didn't miss it much, but these groups foster bonds that are hard to get with these kids otherwise. Doesn't matter in a large, diverse area, but in a small area, it can really leave some kids out.

Same for SCA in high schools, which most Christian kids join (Society for Christian Athletes).

And OF COURSE the goal is to keep the youth in the church, and attract new youth. It's not called "evangelical Christianity" for nothing.

I think you mean FCA (not SCA). Also, totally hear you about kids being left out but from the opposite perspective. My dd is Christian and there is very little in terms of Christian groups around us and friends very non and some anti religious. She feels left out at times.

YL group is a faith group, not just fellowship. And, in a faith community, it is more like family, so strong bonds makes sense. Hopefully, your temple youth group provided the same for you. I hope every kid can find a group that connects them.

Anonymous wrote:Christian kids don't ever get why non-Christian kids wouldn't just come along for the ride. To them, the religious stuff is so secondary to the fun that they don't see how it infuses every aspect of the organization.

It sucks being a non-Christian kid in an area where these organizations suck large numbers of your classmates out of school events and weekend availability, and it can be so tempting to just go. From experience (and I'm not even religious), the Christian element wears you down pretty quickly -- there's Christian music, and talk about missions, and frequent references to "the Lord" and Jesus and being blessed in passing, and there are short prayers for various purposes throughout.

I was happy to have a strong youth group through my temple, and didn't miss it much, but these groups foster bonds that are hard to get with these kids otherwise. Doesn't matter in a large, diverse area, but in a small area, it can really leave some kids out.

Same for SCA in high schools, which most Christian kids join (Society for Christian Athletes).

And OF COURSE the goal is to keep the youth in the church, and attract new youth. It's not called "evangelical Christianity" for nothing.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Cult. They always recruited kids with difficult home life’s or going through a breakup.