Maybe it's because I've worked with youth for more than a half a century that I notice the growing exodus of American youth to join the radical Muslim cause. To some the attraction of youth to Muslim religion and jihad is a puzzle.
It's no puzzle!
In a purposeless society like ours, we can expect our kids to be attracted to purpose; better said, "a cause." Muslims recruit activist kids and give them a cause they're willing to die for, Key here is "a cause" ... and they're finding them.
Our failure to install healthy "purpose" into our American youth makes them drifting candidates for gangs or Muslim jihad. I predict more and more American males will leave for the Muslim life and war. Looking at a young American Muslim convert, dedicated to the purpose of Jihad ... I think, what a powerful activist Christian he could have become!
However we continue with the living for Christ mantra, while many youth would rather die for Allah! They "have a cause" they believe in.
Today's honey coated purposeless living for Jesus just isn't doing it. Where are the Christian activist willing to die for the Jesus, who died to save them. Where are the Pastors and Youth-workers willing to set the example?
We don't see any on the horizon.
Today we're into sit and listen, watch and applaud. Platform stars and music gigs rule. Hollow entertainment at a time of war.
Where are the youth men with the courage to define our cause and challenge their best kids to grab their Bibles and head into the world sharing our Gospel, even if it means death. Where?
I know by experience that "honey dipped" Christianity doesn't attract the strong activist type. It's the tough talk of reality and a challenge that attracts and sends out the true activist.
How can a weak youth-worker talk tough. Good question!
It's time we throw out this secular "politically correct" mentality, along with the soft Christianity, and level with our kids ... 2000 years ago we were called to a cause, it's about time we get back to what we were created to be and what we were created to do ... and it wasn't fun and games!
Every time an American youth leaves his country to head to the Muslim cause ... the Church and youth-workers have failed.
