FFRF’s 2024 college essay honorable mentions

The following are short excerpts from those who earned honorable mention status in this year’s college essay competition.

Hanna Bartoletti

For many like me, the disconnect between who you are and what the church needs you to be is painfully obvious. As more Gen Zers seek their affirmation elsewhere, religions risk alienating their next believers. It’s no wonder Gen Z is turning their backs on religion; it’s already turned its back on us.

So, there is hope, despite all. As humanity continues to move forward and further from religion, many will begin to understand and accept others more freely because they will no longer have an excuse to be bigoted. Our evolution away from religion holds the promise of a more understanding and inclusive future for all.

Hannah, 19, attends Penn State University and is majoring in biotechnology.

Braelyn Caldwell

The decline in religious engagement might be due to the distrust of religious institutions. Over the years, reports of sexual abuse from clergy members have been increasing. No one wants to be a part of an institution that frequently involves itself with sexual abuse.

The religious double standards and moral inconsistencies are another issue. Numerous instances exist when Christians behave negatively against those who defy their beliefs, whether it be in relation to the person’s gender identity or sexual orientation. To describe how Christian “love” may take the form of hatred, the expression “There’s no hate like Christian love” was created.

Braelyn, 21, attends Texas A&M University and is majoring in psychology.

Jasper Chiguma Jr.

As a young Black gay man, I’ve witnessed the damage that religion has done in the Black community firsthand, Christianity and Islam especially. It is way too common for Black gay men to adopt trauma from the church, forcing them to stay inside the closet for years. They’ve internalized the ramblings throughout their childhood from parents, friends, and churchgoers about the bible and Quran condemning homosexual acts, so much to the point where they can’t find it in themselves to live in their truth as gay men.

Just last week, I came across a viral video of a priest degrading rape victims during a sermon, claiming they deserved to be violated because of the revealing clothes they were wearing. I was left stunned and disgusted, reminding me of why I never allowed myself to be brainwashed by Christianity. Homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, racism, rape culture and plain bigotry run rampant in the church — an institution built on faith, love and eternal salvation.

Gen Z refuses to be indoctrinated by lies any longer.

Jasper, 20, attends SUNY Broome Community College.

Melia Moorman

Unlike earlier generations when religious identity was frequently inherited or culturally forced, a lot of young people today feel free to define their own views rather than society expectations. The personal tendency creates an atmosphere in which challenging and rejecting belief systems is not only acceptable but also praised as a sign of genuineness.

Young people now lack confidence and credibility in religious institutions because of scandals, arrogance and disagreements. Numerous incidents of clergy abuse, prejudice and politicization of religion have turned many people off of conventional religious institutions. As such, Gen Z is moving more and more away from religious organizations to the advantage of more social and inclusive belief systems.

Melia, 19, attends University of Louisville, where she is majoring in dental hygiene and public health.

Nicholas Spinetta

Highly multicultural societies tend to trend toward secularism, and the amount of information an average Gen Z individual is exposed to is much larger than almost everyone experienced even a generation ago. This flood of differing viewpoints may make it more difficult to maintain strong religious beliefs, or it may increase an individual’s faith in them, due to the rebound effect.

Of course, Gen Z must have more of a say in the ruling political classes of America — a role which is likely impossible to achieve while the Baby Boomer generation still holds such a large degree of economic and political sway.

We are currently entering into a new era of American politics — one hopefully defined not by traditionalism, but by a coalition of secular interests working for the betterment of everyone, no matter their religious status.

Nicholas, 23, attends University of Rhode Island and is majoring in interdisciplinary neuroscience.

Michael Whittaker

Religion is nothing but an institution that is used by powerful people to control others, and I think that it is very important that my generation has realized this.

Gen Z is already starting to make waves in society with our more practical worldview. We are shifting the power dynamic in the workforce because we do not subscribe to the Christian moral philosophy of blind servitude.

Gen Z has realized the truth behind how religion is used to control and oppress people, and we are unafraid of altering societal standards and practices in accordance with our secular values. We are a generation of great self-reflection and we take action.

Michael, 24, attends South Mountain Community College and is majoring in biomedical engineering.