A suburban street is lined with freshly cut grass, manicured garden beds and sparkling clean cars in almost identical driveways. A peek inside the spotless window reveals an attractive, clean-cut family of four, sitting down to their regular Sunday roast dinner and reciting a quiet prayer before tucking into the lovingly prepared meal before them. Having spent the better half of the day at church, this family is what you may picture when you conjure up a traditional church going family.
This description may have been true of an earlier time, but today in the bible belt of Alberta, those who attend church look a little different. Tattoos and piercings, a penchant for rock music and perhaps the taste for the occasional craft brew is the look of the new parishioner scattered amongst the pews.
An article in the Huffington Post by Maham Abedi discusses the idea of generation Y’ers and millennials moving away from the strict rules and traditional roles in religion or the institution all together. In an exclusive survey, the results showed of over one thousand Canadian millennials, 51 per cent of the respondents said they’d never attended a religious institution. 12 per cent attended weekly and the highest attendance rates amongst millennials was shown in central Canada at 23 per cent.
With southern Alberta playing host to several religious denominations, one may expect a vibrant population of religious youth. Caitlin Mitchell attends Evangelical Free Church and says while studies may show young people moving away from religion, she’s witnessed the opposite.
“I have seen growth in our young adults group at my church. There is commitment to the community they are a part of,” said Mitchell.
She adds that she feels it comes down to the understanding of the relationship religion plays, as opposed to rules and regulations. “It is about knowing who Jesus is and his love over the do this and do this. That is important too, but if you have no relationship, there is no point,” says Mitchell.
If you believe in a higher power or something greater than just yourself, but don’t believe in God, it could be argued this is also a form of religion.
Aubrey Boehr is one local woman who would classify herself as spiritual as opposed to religious. Defining the difference between religion and spirituality, Boehr believes in listening more and talking less so you can be open to the signs that nature may present to you.
“Religion is told to you, spirituality is experienced,” she adds.
Raised in a strict Christian Reform household has given Boehr a look at both sides of the religious coin. Boehr says her former faith used fear and shame to ensure parishioners returned every week which left her uneasy.
“The more that I read about shame, the more I realize that this is what was feeling uncomfortable for me. People’s shame was exploited in churches and so you got a glimpse of somebody’s shame. Not because you want to have empathy for them, but in order to fix them,” added Boehr.
Perhaps one common theme religion and spirituality share is community. Some would say bringing people together who share similar ideals harbours conversation and connectivity. With traditionalist seniors aging and the millennials finding their stride, it will be interesting to see what a Sunday church service will look like in 10 years. What is clear is that looks and age are no longer defining factors in who will be lining the pews on a Sunday morning.
Aubrey Boehr looks out across the coulees and ponders spiritiuality and its place in the universe on Feb. 29.
Aubrey Boehr reconnects with nature and ponders the concept of spirituality on Feb. 29.
