September 15th, 2024

Our New Religion Isn't Enough

The article examines therapy culture's rise as a substitute for religion among youth, highlighting self-obsession, increasing mental health issues, and the need for moral guidance and community connections.

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Our New Religion Isn't Enough

The article discusses the rise of therapy culture and its resemblance to religion, particularly among younger generations. It argues that as traditional religious faith declines, various movements like social justice and climate activism have emerged to fill the void, with therapy becoming a central focus. The author suggests that many young people now interpret their lives through a therapeutic lens, prioritizing personal well-being over moral obligations to others. This shift has led to a culture of self-obsession, where individuals seek validation and fulfillment through apps and affirmations rather than through community or spiritual connections. The piece highlights the dangers of this trend, noting that mental health issues are on the rise, particularly among the least religious demographics. The author posits that what is missing from this new "religion" is moral guidance and a sense of obligation to others, which are essential for true fulfillment. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for deeper connections and a moral framework in a world that often feels transient and unstable, suggesting that the pursuit of self-love and mental health management may not be sufficient for genuine happiness.

- Therapy culture is increasingly viewed as a substitute for traditional religion among younger generations.

- There is a growing trend of self-obsession, with individuals prioritizing personal well-being over moral obligations to others.

- Mental health issues are rising, particularly among those who are less religious.

- The absence of moral guidance and community connection is highlighted as a significant concern.

- The article calls for a reevaluation of values, emphasizing the need for deeper connections and a moral framework.

Link Icon 6 comments
By @CalRobert - 7 months
I grew up non-religious (mostly) but I also was a boy scout, I read Hardy Boys, and I naively thought that we were (again, mostly) working towards building a better world for each other and we all had a responsibility to do our part for each other. When I went camping, or to parks, the mindset was "leave it better than you found it". And I thought most other people generally felt the same. But now I mostly just feel like a big middle-aged dork when I pick up Taki's and Orero wrappers at the playground.

Now it feels much more like "everything is going to shit so grab what you can while you can". I don't know if the world changed, or I was just painfully naive.

By @paulddraper - 7 months
Everyone has a religion (belief system guiding morals, values, and actions).

Some of them involve deity.

By @ilrwbwrkhv - 7 months
These things were always there. Social media just made these blow up into people s day to day life. A big part of this whole mess is Facebook. They removed anonymity from the internet, which means fringe beliefs are now accepted by real people.
By @pockybum522 - 7 months
Boy this sure sounds like old religion, which is also not enough.
By @throwaway81736 - 7 months
Religion came from one of two places: it was either created by deity, and/or it evolved alongside humanity. In either case, we should neither throw it away lightly, nor be surprised that the behaviors associated with it endure.