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Jerry Johnston Interviews Linda Woodhead on Young Adults Leaving the Church


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKkfCmGW5lQ

 

According to Linda Woodhead, youth most often leave the church because they perceive the lack of conviction in religious persons around them. A leading mind in religious studies and research, Linda Woodhead is a Professor of Sociology of Religion in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University. On a recent trip to London, England, I asked Linda Woodhead how the church could regain the vitality it has lost. Linda replied,

“I think religion carries conviction when you see it in action; you see it above all in your parent’s lives.  That’s the first thing that matters to you and it’s attractive.   It makes sense of life. It offers something.  In addition it has to be convincing intellectually especially as you grow up so it has to win the arguments, you know, it has to win the arguments about how the world came into being. You have to be able to explain why it seems plausible that there is the God of the trinity. So it’s a mixture of above all being convincing in what you see in people’s lives and in addition it has to win the arguments and seem plausible.”

The story of Jesus Christ is both inherently hopeful and historical. Do you know both aspects? Cristie Jo and I are creating multiple digital products and resources beyond the documentary that will present Christians with the hopeful and historically verifiable message of Jesus Christ.

Linda Woodhead is a Professor of Sociology of Religion in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University.

Researchers, Drs. Jerry and Cristie Jo Johnston, are Executive Producing a quick-paced film via trans continental, staccato interviews documenting the shocking rise of the non-religious.