So to add to the rapidly growing laundry list of what makes Asian youth depressed, which we’ve so far contributed to family conflict, academic pressure and a mental health stigma — you guys keeping count here? — you can add religion, according to this study at Ohio State University.
As much as I do love me a study, where I can point to web site and tell my family and friends “SEE?! GROWING UP CHINESE BAPTIST IS WHY I WAS SO FUCKED UP AS A YOUNG ADULT,” the study doesn’t really do much digging:
Adolescents in grades 7 through 12 were initially interviewed in school and a random number of students were again interviewed at home. Students were asked to identify the positive and negative feelings they had experienced in the preceding week such as depression, loneliness, isolation, happiness, or excitement. They were also asked about their behavior in the last year and asked to identify their race, religious preference, and how often they attended services during the same period of time.
Really? That’s it? The study goes as far to say that religion is actually good for some kids but may effect others due to “tensions they face in balancing the conflicting ideals and customs of their religion with those of mainstream culture.” Like, say, a family full of conflict or undue academic pressure, perhaps?
As for me, I grew up Chinese Baptist, becoming a Presbyterian in High School and touring with a church choir. My big conflict with the church as a young adult was with trying to reconcile how a merciful God would make me go through having parents who fought and a sister with a mental illness and, oh yeah, that whole gay thing, but as a teenager I used a church as a means to escape from that environment. Of course, your results will vary.
As a teenager, did you find the church a positive or a negative re-enforcement in your life?
(Flickr photo credit: preciousj)
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THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC wrote:
Positive.
Posted on 09-Sep-08 at 12:58 am | Permalink
Yan wrote:
I remember I was around six when I realized that none of the biblical characters were Asian. This revelation alienated me even more as a child growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood.
Reading the Old Testament also freaked me. I couldn’t understand why people worshiped such a merciless dictator.
Posted on 09-Sep-08 at 1:56 am | Permalink
jennifer wrote:
My experience with church was a positive one–thankfully, it was more protective than negative, and thankfully, as a teenager, I was surrounded by supportive and open-minded people at church that really helped me shape my character while I explored the world outside of church.
I think with spirituality being a “buzz” word lately, I think teens are actively exploring religions outside of rigid and defined theology, which can definitely be a negative impact on a teenager, especially one that doesn’t “fit the mold”. Hopefully Asian teens can also experience spiritual growth–I think the trick is to find the right community/church/religion/belief system.
Posted on 09-Sep-08 at 6:03 am | Permalink
Efren wrote:
Heh, the whole gay thing turned me off to most organized religion–not because of the doctrine or dogma, but how people interpreted it themselves to justify their hatred towards groups they found distateful like queers, colored folk, etc., and also using it as an excuse for being closeminded. Thankfully, I’ve been seeing how people have been using their spiritual/religious beliefs to make sense of the world around them in ways that are positive and embrace the history of the religions they believe in, realizing that religions might focus on a god/gods/whatever, but ultimately they are agreed upon by people, and as such, always open to different interpretations. I remember reading a quote saying that the only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of people who actually believe in the core beliefs.
Posted on 09-Sep-08 at 8:19 am | Permalink
Jun wrote:
im suprised it is even being considered negative…
sometimes living in urban east coast cities such as philly, nyc, and boston the only time you get to interact with other Asians is through church. Asian churches usually are ethnicity based as you have Chinese, Korean, Filipino etc churches that focus on their culture. These churches are not so important for the religious aspects but for the community aspects and programs they provide.
Religion can be ignorant and hateful but churches, especially community based churches are extremely positive within the Asian American community, I have no doubt about that.
Posted on 09-Sep-08 at 9:03 am | Permalink
Elena Stevenson wrote:
Kudos to you, Jun. I agree, the ethnic churches do a lot of good in terms of identity. Our regular church is not ethnic, but I visited a Korean church with my husband (who is a Korean adoptee) and we were very blessed by the warm reception.
I think religion can be a very positive force, but can also be used as a means of abuse. As in, guilt, “you must,” etc. I think an understanding of yourself as a valued creation of God is important for everyone, but especially minorities encountering racism.
http://elena.ningin.com
Posted on 10-Sep-08 at 12:42 pm | Permalink
Jonathan wrote:
Well, I grew up Chinese Presbyterian and this lasted until I turned 18. Late in high school and during college i began questioning my faith and learned about the genocide that so-called European Christians committed on the Native Americans, the Opium that “God-fearing” Britain forced the Chinese to buy and smoke, and the countless acts of brutality Christians have committed against non-Europeans and Europeans alike. I couldn’t reconcile the apparent contradictions of the Christian faith, so I said “fuck it. Fuck god and the Christian religion.” I realized the bullshit and bogus that Christianity is made off and became agnostic. Religion has contributed to my current confused young adulthood and I’m still reeling with my identity as an Asian American. Being Christian just made me feel whitewashed and a product of European imperialism… As far as my life goes, I see god as a cruel, unfair prick… an asshole rather than a loving, compassionate god who loves all his creations. After all, how does god allow his own believers in Europe to get away with the deaths of 50 million Native Americans, impoverishment of hundreds of millions of Indians and other peoples, the enslavement of half of West Africa’s population for 400 years, the manipulation and deceit of the British in their exploitation of China and other nations, and the current exploitation of developing world, especially Africa? God is racist, sexist and immature as I’m concerned. God is a white supremacist who could care less about anyone who isn’t white. FUCK CHRISTIANITY! FUCK GOD! If anyone wants to repute my comment, show me good proof god is loving and compassionate. Otherwise, you can’t help me.
Posted on 15-Nov-08 at 3:46 am | Permalink
stan wrote:
I didn’t know you grew up Baptist, Ernie. That would explain so much.
Yeah, religion was just another obstacle for me to reconciling myself with my supposed peers. I grew up Chinese Baptist too, and while I got some great lessons, like love and stuff, the undue intolerance was what really got me stressed, because I really wanted rainbows while the church kept talking fire and brimstone.
Posted on 18-Nov-08 at 2:17 am | Permalink