Name: BALTAZAR, Ma. Francheska M.

Grade & Section: 10-C

CN: 25

The Philippines has many religious activities such as Marian Processions, Black Nazarene
devotions show this deluge of devotion and most visibly showcases the high place of religion for most
Filipinos. But in statistics, it is found that 26% of millennials have no religious affiliation, but only 8% of
silents (people who were born in around 1925-1945) have none. And 41% of millennials pray daily, much
less than the 71% of silents. Considering that the Philippines is a country wherein our religion is steeped
in strong Catholic Church teachings, it is alarming for the current generation to become frivolous of such
an important belief in the country. Millennials think that religion is just like a consumer choice like
entrees picked from a menu. Religion is not taken seriously, taken no notice of, and only considered as
an option in today’s generation.

What is religion? Why are the people of the youth start to neglect and disregard the idea of
having a serious relationship with a higher being? And what is religion to the Filipinos? According to the
dictionary, Religion is a fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a group of
people. These set of beliefs concern the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, and involve
devotional and ritual observances. But that is only from the dictionary. The real meaning is what the
society thinks and perceives of the topic. Throughout society today, religion and spirituality are greatly
prominent and the importance of its role is no exception. Religion is a vital aspect of life for many
people in the Philippines and even around the world. Our present society is often perceived as the
reason for the conflict and discord in the world. However, religion is also considered as an upwards
force in which “forms human thought and behavior and frames the way in which individuals and society
interact.”. For Filipinos, religions like Catholicism and Christianism are being used to inspire themselves
to put God in the center of their lives.

But in modern society, most millennials are only being forced to have and believe a religion
because your family is only being told you to do so. Filipinos in the past generations are most likely to
teach their kids about being religious and now the newer people in this generation are likely to
overthink if having a religion is actually beneficial and important to them. Millennials tend to forget and
neglect the power of religion, what Catholicism is actually telling us. For a country steeped in strong
Catholic Church teachings, it is common to see Filipinos filling up church pews on a daily basis. What has
become uncommon, some would complain, is to see young Filipinos regularly observing religious
practices. It’s not unusual to hear of complaints about the decline of religiosity among young people:
They don’t go to church, they don’t understand their beliefs, they don’t take their faith seriously. Maybe
millennials are just as “spiritual” in some other sense, but they are in fact less religious and thus more
secular by definition.

Religious education is in a conundrum. While teachers might take it seriously, students most of
the time have a different opinion. In the past years, Christian doctrine/education has been implemented
in most schools in the Philippines. It’s been a controversial topic for many Filipino citizens because most
students do not take the subject as well. One of the problems with this is the lack of emphasis. Unlike
major subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and English, it is taken more seriously. Compared to a
religious subject, it is only given a limited amount of time and weight in the basic curriculum. The weak
emphasis gives the impression that it is not important, even if offered by sectarian schools. This is
another problem that we need to face and be aware of since everything starts with education. Kids and
students learn almost everything from school so it’s a need for us to fix this situation. It starts within us,
actually starting to take it seriously and spreading the word are ways for us to fix this current problem.
Religious education can and should be a safe space where these questions may be discussed freely and
thoroughly. This means that students must not feel that they are judged for expressing their
disagreement or doubt. Religious education should be an instrument in the formation of the right
Christian attitudes among the young, dialogue must be an urgent Christian agenda in Philippine religious
education.

We need to help us millennial students see that religion is not just a placeholder for other
interests; it is a powerful motivator and many religious people are willing to sacrifice, die, and even kill
in its name. We must remember most of the world is religious and religious convictions help determine
social action of all kinds. The purpose of having a religion is not to complicate and create wars. It is to
deepen our knowledge in our faith and helps shape us to determine what’s right and wrong. To achieve
the goals of salvation for oneself and others, and to render due worship and obedience to God. Religion
is now neglected, disregarded and forsaken most especially to the youth and the new current
generation but it’s never too late to change this kind of mentality. We all can change by inspiring other
people to share His word to seculars and the people who are now losing their faith. It’s good to spread
awareness, not hate about the different types of religions that are showcased for us all.