Depends who you ask. As a high school motivational speaker I’ve had some great opportunities to lead a variety of youth leadership development programs, most recently for the Harold M. Schulweis Institute.
During the last three months I led a team of seven teenagers and had them research the above question, exploring the benefits and risks of allowing religions to change. Last week they presented their findings at a forum for teens and parents where the question was debated.
Most attendees valued tradition as a way to unify religious communities, while agreeing that a certain amount of change is necessary. Where the group struggled was the degree to which change should take place.
Teenagers were in favor of the most change as they face the challenges of balancing religious practice with the American teen lifestyle. It’s hard to have a Sabbath with Friday football games, Saturday SATs, and countless student events that stretch into Sunday. It’s tempting to resist traditions designed to keep family together at an age when one yearns for space and independence. And certainly it’s difficult to consider one’s spirituality when they can barely decide which college to apply to.
At the same time, many teens found comfort in religion and agreed that it’s not about convenience. Some not only incorporate religion into their busy schedules, but even find it enhances their ability to keep their lives in balance. For them, it’s less of a distraction and more of a focal point.
The day ended with more questions than answers. Perhaps it all comes down to this one fundamental question:
Should religions revolve around our lives, or should our lives revolve around religion?
Feel free to chime in on this one.
In the last couple of weeks I hit a number of schools in Southern California. First I was a middle school speaker for Alta Loma Junior High’s Careers Day. The next day it was a motivational school assembly at Burbank High School. Following that, Fallbrook High had me as their high school motivational speaker to do an assembly on school unity (“Breaking Down the Walls”). Finally, I did a volunteer leadership workshop at the Vista School located at Vista Del Mar, the social services facility where my wife and I adopted our children. While I enjoy traveling, it’s nice to wrap up the year staying close to home here in Southern California. Come January, it’s back to the friendly skies.
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Scott Greenberg is available as youth speaker for your school or student event. To request information, click here.
Motivational speakers, meeting planners and educators are converging this weekend in San Diego for the National Association of Workshop Directors conference. This is the eighth year I’ve attended this conference and I always have a great time. If you work in this field or are interested in leadership training, personal growth workshops or watching motivational speakers for schools, I highly recommend checking out this organization at http://www.nawd.com/.
I’ll be leading the entire group in icebreakers and mixers at the beginning. I enjoy leading these activities because I can’t stand doing them! Admittedly, they do work. Being forced outside your comfort zone with other people quickly alleviates the initial awkwardness among new groups and creates a more relaxed atmosphere. People bond over any unusual shared experienced – good or bad. I recently met a neighbor for the first time in three years because she was outside screaming when she caught someone breaking into her car. It sucks having crime on our street, but it does unite the neighborhood. Perhaps if my icebreakers don’t work at NAWD, I’ll just steal a few purses. Whatever it takes to break the ice!
