In the transition from high school to college, 65 percent of students stop practicing their faith.  Why do so many students stop attending church once entering college?  Students have professed that without any parents dragging them to church, they do not voluntarily go. Once you have missed one Sunday, it is easy to miss the next; and/or they are revamping their religious beliefs. 

There are many excuses for not attending church, but is there any excuse for having a faith that only lasts when supervised by your parents? One-third of students who attended church prior to college will stop once enrolled.  I thought the fabric of faith was made of more durable substance than the flimsy whims of posers.  I have not stepped into a church for months, but I have never been a churchgoer, preferring private worship over the commercialized church industry of today. 

Understandably, 76 percent of students are "searching for meaning and purpose" in their lives. You will never have as much flexibility with your time as you do during your college years. 

Looking at other religions or taking a moment to reevaluate your religious beliefs isn't a bad thingBefore college, you were underage with no say over your time and responsibilities; they were all forced upon you.  After college, reality sets in and you and your hands are tied with inescapable responsibilities. 

Fortunately, we are college students, living that magical time in our lives when opportunities have a chance to flourish.  This is why it is understandable that many students are searching.  Honestly, I am surprised the statistic isn't higher, maybe some of us aren't willing to admit that we don't know what we want in life. Looking at other religions or taking a moment to reevaluate your religious beliefs isn't a bad thing, especially in a time when many churches are going corporate.  When a church has a scrolling marquee sign and a gift shop, is it really a "House of God"?  It seems that these churches are more into the business of faith than faith itself.

What I can't understand are those students whose faith only exists when they are at home or around certain people.  These people admit to having a strong faith, but not strong enough to sustain them over the college years. What makes you any better than the posers? 

I can understand not wanting to go to church for various reasons: hangover, too tired, not enough time in the day to do everything.  We all know someone who is very religious; the type of person that uses their religion to identify him or herself.  What I do not understand is if you are one of those people, why do you not go to church?  Maybe you do have a good excuse, but as someone from the outside looking in, it appears that you are using faith as another extracurricular to put on your resume. 

Life happens, and going to church can't always be a priority. After all, your ticket to heaven doesn't depend upon your attendance record.  When I talk about church, I ultimately mean the faith that it symbolizes.  Many students lose sight of the church and what it stands for because they get lost in the so-called college experience. 

I am not lecturing.  Do not mistake my criticism for didacticism. I am not a preacher; whether you go to church or not is a personal decision whose correct answer can only be supplied by you.  What I am saying is to stay true to whatever you believe.  Are you a poser or not? That is the real question.