Virtual Faith

by Tom Beaudoin (Harvard Univ. School of Divinity and Boston College)

• ISBN13: 9780787955274
• ISBN10: 0787955272
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Reveals the deep and pervasive search for meaning that haunts Generation X. This book is must reading for anyone who would understand the spirituality of young people at the turn of a new millennium.--Robert A. Ludwig, author of Reconstructing Catholicism for a New GenerationIn Virtual Faith, Beaudoin explores fashion, music videos, and cyberspace concluding that his generation has fashioned a theology radically different from, but no less potent or valid than, that of their elders.Beaudoin's investigation of popular culture uncovers four themes that underpin his generation?s theology. First, all institutions are suspect -- especially organized religion. Second, personal experience is everything, and every form of intense personal experience is potentially spiritual. Third, suffering is also spiritual. Finally, this generation sees ambiguity as a central element of faith. This book opens a long overdue conversation about where and how we find meaning, and how we all can encourage each other in this central human searching.Tom Beaudoin earned his Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University School of Divinity in 1996 and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Religion and Education at Boston College.

Author Biography

TOM BEAUDOIN Raised on television and video games, Tom Beaudoin began to notice in the mid-80s that the popular culture so familiar to him was infused with religious iconography and meaning. He earned his Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University School of Divinity in 1996 and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Religion and Education at Boston College. A former altar boy and presently a bass player in a Boston area rock band, he survived Woodstock '94.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Harvey Cox
Preface	xiii
The Author	xxi
Acknowledgments	xxiii
PART ONE Why Religion Still Matters: GenX, Pop Culture, and the Search for God
A GenX Journey: Living on the Boundary Between Religion and Culture	3	(18)
Formed by Pop Culture: The Shared Immersion That Makes Us a Generation	21	(16)
Being Virtually Religious: Appreciating GenX Irreverence	37	(14)
PART TWO How Religion Still Matters: Four Central Themes in GenX Religiosity
Institutions Are Suspect	51	(22)
Experience Is Key	73	(23)
Suffering Has a Religious Dimension	96	(25)
Ambiguity Is Central to Faith	121	(24)
PART THREE Being Religious Now: A New Understanding
Making the Virtual Lead Somewhere: A Spiritual Challenge to Generation X	145	(14)
Rediscovering Humility in Ministry: A Spiritual Challenge from Generation X	159	(16)
Conclusion: Giving Irreverence Its Due	175	(6)
Afterword	181	(2)
Appendix: Notes on Method	183	(10)
References	193	(6)
Index	199