My (now adult) D has not, not one tiny bit…and I’m ok with it. When she was younger (and up until she left for college) she was very involved in the synagogue, the youth groups, camp, all of it. She loved every aspect of it, even became a Saturday school teacher’s aide, and a CIT (counselor in training) and eventually a full fledged counselor at camp. I’m not sure what (if anything) really changed for her. It does make me curious. Honestly I was “only” involved when she was…I wasn’t raised in a traditionally faith-based family, and actually was raised Unitarian (‘brotherhood of man’ was the call to order, which I still subscribe to), and then my own mother discovered her Judaism when I was 12, and went right over the top…kosher home, shul 2x a day, the whole ball of wax. I actually consider myself very spiritual, however not even a little religious. I lean toward Buddhist teachings.
Wow, just found this fascinating thread. We are Presbyterian (PCUSA). Our kids were raised with pretty regular church attendance but both of them, when they hit high school, basically did not like the church youth groups and resisted participating in church. Our older D went to a very secular, ultraliberal LAC (Pomona) and never once to my knowledge participated in any religious activity of any kind while in college. Interestingly, though, since graduation she has moved to a new city and moved in with her boy friend, who was raised unchurched, and they have both gotten quite involved in a local Presbyterian church. It has been very important to them that the pastor openly/directly preaches about social justice issues and current events. Church is super LGBTQ and immigrant friendly which is also very important to them. D has contrasted that with the pastor she grew up with, who (in his defense) has a congregation that includes a wide spectrum of political opinions so I think tries hard to be apolitical. My older D’s church also has a pretty active 20’s/30’s group which is a draw.
By contrast, my younger D has ended up at a Christian college (you can tell which one from my avatar) despite being quite hostile to organized religion. This was due to a combination of great merit aid and research opportunities. I’m not really sure how that will work out. You know what they say about “mysterious ways.” I’m just waiting and seeing and recognizing that it’s pretty much out of my hands.
@Corinthian , neither one of my kids loved the traditional youth group activities (except for the church that had only 8 or 9 kids). I think this is because nearly all youth groups in Christian denominations are geared toward extraverts. The social activities really require kids to put themselves out there. There’s not that much for contemplative types, except for the actual missions and humanitarian work. But the majority of activities, at least in Christian denominations, are about large group silliness and games, and these don’t appeal to introverts. (I’m not sure they really appeal to social justice-minded extraverts, either, but for some reason, churches seem to think they need loud multi-media shows and smoke machines to get teenagers in the door.)
I’ve often said that if churches want to keep kids in the faith, they need to spend more time building inter-generational relationships with them that foster their spiritual growth and interests rather than trying to entertain them or make God seem cool. I’m glad your D has reconnected with her faith.
Like @Corinthian our kids were raised PCUSA, went on multiple International and local mission trips, and one of them went to Pomona. Turns out that both sponsors there (a Pomona thing) were members of a bible study, my Pomona kid joined and was involved all 4 years (yep, it’s possible at a liberal LAC). Now in med school, lives a block from a big PCUSA church, not attending because it’s too traditional but still seeking alternatives. You do what you can and hope some of it sticks!
@Massmomm – tangential, but was having conversation with son recently – does the church support introverts? A good discussion.
@otisp “(yep, it’s possible at a liberal LAC)” – agree!
@Corinthian – son’s church has extremely active community group that is a huge draw too.
As an aside, the local church at my son’s university was an incredible supporter of campus ministry and owned/provded on-campus housing (huge!!!). Yep, five faith-based guys (girls have a place too) rent housing on fraternity row at a huge party school. It all worked.
I’m enjoying reading the many variety of experiences here. I was certainly aware that there were faith opportunities at Pomona for those who wanted them. My D15 just wasn’t ready at that point. Also, I think that having someone else to regularly attend church with has made a big difference for D15. Kind of like an exercise buddy.
D19 is at a college where chapel services are held 3x per week. They are non-compulsory but well attended. At this point I would be shocked if D19 attended one of these services. Hope College was kind of a surprising choice for D19 because of her being really rather hostile toward organized religion. She thinks “everyone” who is religious is “judgmental.” But she went to Hope due to great merit aid and great opportunities to do research in physics (her desired major) starting the summer before freshman year. She keeps saying “I may want to transfer.” It’s like she’s reassuring herself she has an escape route in case she needs/wants it. But I’m also hoping she comes to see that “religious” people come in all different varieties, just like non-religious people.