Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 73 No. 4, 2003.
Pregledni rad
Religious Life as a Sign and Challenge for Today's Youth
Valentina Mandarić
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Starting with the crisis of identity among the youth in contemporary culture and the crisis that generally affects ecclesiastical and religious life, the author of this article argues the (in)significance of religious life and the fall in interest for consecrated life among the youth. In the first part of this article, the author speaks of the division that exists between the theoretical foundations of religious life and the pragmatic principles upon which religious life is based. Religious life has always been seen in the Church as an eschatological sign through which the Church becomes all the more visible in everyday life. Under the influence of contemporary culture and considering the crisis in religious life itself, the significance of religious life is increasingly questionable. Hence, religious must always question themselves and seek new forms and signs that are able to better explain the transcendental, eschatological and anthropological values of religious life in the Church and society. Religious life in its fundamental reference rejects the accepted characteristics of identity: power, money, career, pleasure, social status, forfeiting all that modern man finds security and self-realization. Religious identity can only be understood in the eschatological perspective. Otherwise, the tendency in contemporary culture as is subjectivism, pluralism, values, fragmentism, an excessive desire for self-actualisation, consumerism, hedonism, presentism, nomadism, apsolute freedom and autonomy...form the identity of the youth. In such surroundings, religiosity and spirituality of the youth acquires new forms. Young people yearn for the transcendental and often pursuit Eastern religions. New Age sects, while the Church slowly looses its credibility in its search for the transcendental. The author questions whether todays religious life can retain that credibility, or perhaps, young people who desire an authentic Christian experience won't be entering religious communities, but instead, alternative communities and movements.
The author in the second part of the article speaks of a need and importance to continually adjust religious life to the demands of today's time. It is important to retain the unchangeable aspects of religious life even to the point that it remains unacceptable to many people. It needs to be kept in mind that all changes brought about in religious life should have Jesus Christ as the norma normans. The final part of this article, the article deals with some challenges of contemporary culture that seeks from religious life an adequate answer. Namely, religious life according to its basic definitions is in opposition with the tendencies of contemporary culture. It is called to live its »wounded identity« in the heart of today's world. Religious communities should become »islands of pro-to-culture« in the desert of a consumerist society, in which the youth shall recognise alternative forms of life that they are searching. On the other hand, if religious life wants to create dialogue with youth of today, it needs to be in contact with all what is vital and creative in contemporary culture.
Ključne riječi
consecrated life; religious life; youth; contemporary culture; sign; identity
Hrčak ID:
27507
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.2.2004.
Posjeta: 2.088 *