But that doesn't concern you. Unless you're Christian as well, then go read the book. You should be ashamed of yourselves, and this book will help you achieve it.
Anyway, what I find interesting enough to post up here is the way it describes in general the generation we know as Generation Y (youngsters born after 1982 up to early 90s, according to Wikipedia), but which the book labels as Mosaics (1984-2002). I thought most of it described me pretty well, and certainly if one were to point out the differences between us and our parents, this is as accurate as it gets.
So here goes.
In many ways, young people perceive the world in very different terms than people ever have before. For example, the lifestyles of Mosaics ... are more diverse than those of their parents' generation, including education, career, family, values, and leisure. Young people do not want to be defined by a "normal" lifestyle. They favour a unique and personal journey. Many young people do not expect to be married or to begin a family as a young adult (if at all), though this may have been the expectation in the past.
For Mosaics ..., relationships are the driving force. Being loyal to friends is one of their highest values. They have a strong need to belong, usually to a tribe of other loyal people who know them well and appreciate them. Still, under their relational connectedness lies fierce individualism.
Even though they esteem fair-mindedness and diversity, they are irreverent and brunt. Finding ways to express themselves and their rage is an endless pursuit. Being skeptical of leaders, products, and institutions is part of their generational coding ([while the slightly older Generation X express their skepticism layered with cynicism], Mosaics do so with extreme self-confidence). They do not trust things that seem too perfect, accepting that life comes with its share of messiness and off-the-wall experiences and people.
Americans of all ages are inundated with media and entertainment options. Yet Mosaics ... consume more hours of media from more sources than do older generations. Many enjoy immensely the latest hot movie, music, website, or pop culture buzz. Technologies connect young people to information and to each other - and power their self-expression and creativity - in ways older adults do not fully appreciate.
Young people engage in a nearly constant search for fresh experiences and new sources of motivation. They want to try things out themselves, disdaining self-proclaimed experts and talking head presentations. If something doesn't work for them, or if they are not permitted to participate in the process, they quickly move on to something that grabs them. They prefer casual and comfortable to stuffy and stilted. They view life in a nonlinear, chaotic way, which means they don't mind contradiction and ambiguity. They may tell someone what that person wants to hear, but then do whatever they desire.
Oh, as for what young non-Christians think about Christians? (Albeit the research is exclusively American.)
Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe. ... Old fashioned, too involved in politics, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, boring, confusing.
