How drugs may change teenagers perception of religion

Artifact #6: This artifact answers the second question discussed above, are teenagers still interested in spiritual formation? My answer to this question is yes. Earlier I established that adolescents seem to be a sensitive period for religious exploration. This artifact shows that teenagers are interested in what can be considered "religious" or "spiritual" outside of religious affiliation. Therefore it is not just the teenagers in the church who are engaging with spiritual thought, but it's likely all if not most have at some point. The table shows that of religiously unaffiliated teenagers 42% reported reeling a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least once in the last month. Therefore it is likely to assume that adolescence being a sensitive period keeps teenagers open to ideas of spiritual formation.

Artifact #7: Given the sensitivity that adolescents have towards spiritual thought it is feasible to make my second prediction. Since the data has shown more teenagers are consuming drugs now than before, the effects of drug consumption on religiosity will compound with the already held opinion towards religion that teenagers hold. The article "Religious Aspects of Psychedelic Drugs" explains the experience of psychedelic drugs towards religion as being similar to ideas already held in religion, such as the "conviction of a supreme being".

Additionally, the author, Walter Houston Clark, goes on to explain how the definition of religion to someone who has taken psychedelics is a more individualistic notion of religion. This "individualistic" notion towards religion is one we already saw in regard to how youth have been engaging with religion in the present day. Meaning that teenagers may already see religion as a more individualistic journey and if they consume drugs that have pointed towards coming to the same conclusion then they will only be further confirmed and evolve their religion under this thesis.