Seventeen's "Faith" Section Opens the Door for Religious Expression

Seventeen's readers now have the opportunity to share their own opinions on certain religious topics, read inspirational quotes, and tell personal stores of spiritual struggles. An immediate favorite among Seventeen magazine's 14-million readers, this section has a serious tone, discussing real-life issues openly.

The person behind it all is Seventeen magazine's editor-in-chief, Atoosa Rubenstein. Raised Muslim, she began the faith section not to spread a religious message, but provide an opportunity to discuss issues important to teenage girls, noticing that "more and more of our readers were talking about their faith."

Laurie Whaley, who works for the division of publishers that created Revolve (a top-selling Bible for girls that looks like a fashion magazine) was impressed that Seventeen was addressing religion in any form. She predicted it would attract readers. "The teen culture today, they're very, very much about faith," Whaley said.

Experts on religion and youth trends agree. Teenage Research Unlimited found that 58% of teens rank faith as among the most important parts of their life.

Rubenstein formed an interfaith advisory board for guidance, which includes two Christian ministers, a Catholic priest, Rabbi, Buddhist teacher, and two Muslims.

One of the board members is Fred Allen of Burning Bush Ministries, who said the wide-range of faiths is fine with him. He believes the magazine is "providing the truth to set its readers free."

"I'm not worried about Christianity getting lost," Allen said, "and I'm so glad that Seventeen is even allowing honest and genuine expression of faith from the Christian perspective to show up on their pages. (I think, in the long run), Jesus gains a lot of ground."

Seventeen's faith section provides a safe place for teens to boldly discuss their beliefs and their Christian readers have risen to the occasion. There's remains a stark contrast between comments of hopelessness and despair and the response of a born-again Christian, whose words radiate with hope and joy. Although a seeking reader may not be led to salvation, this new section provides the potential to get them thinking.

"We talk to a big portion of the young women of this country, and this is what they're interested in, and no one else is talking to them about it," Rubenstein said. "I think that kids today want and need answers, because they live in a very complicated world."

But is it safe for teens to turn to Seventeen magazine for answers? This new faith section not only represents Christian values, but also those of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and whoever else has an opinion.

Yes, Seventeen's faith section does provide an opportunity for Christians to speak out, but will the Biblical truths shared be considered "just another good opinion"? With no acknowledgement of absolute truth, this melting pot of worldviews can have a dangerous influence on the vulnerable teens who are on a quest for God. Presented with a smorgasbord of religious beliefs, teens can pick and choose whatever pleasant-sounding doctrine they like, coming to their own self-determined opinion of truth.

Although this recent addition to Seventeen magazine opens the doors for religious expression, it provides no easy way to discern Truth from post-modern deception. It will either open young people's eyes to the Truth, or lead them further from it.

Check out teens' responses to Seventeen's faith-based questions for yourself, updated regularly at www.seventeen.com/bigquestion

© 2004 Teen Mania Ministries