What exactly makes Generation Y religious, and what does religion mean to us?

We're perhaps the first generation that hasn't been sent to Sunday School because it was common practice and we're amongst a second generation of immigrants that brought many new religion to our shores. So does that mean there are fewer "churchies" in my generation as a result, or is Generation Y still finding a way back to church (and its variants) despite never being brought up in one?

As I embark on my exploration of other religions and soon begin sharing my experiences with the unknown, I thought it appropriate to share my own background with religion, and my own observations about Generation Y and Christianity.

I have been born and raised in a Christian family, dedicated on Father's Day, 1991 and baptised on Mother's Day, 1999. I have been through all the rounds: Crèche, Sunday School, Youth Group to now being a youth group leader and church member.

 Though, despite my lifelong involvement in church, I often questioned my faith going through high school. Was I just keeping up appearances to keep my family happy or was my faith something I owned myself?

I'm confident that I'm ‘religious', a Christian because I believe that Jesus Christ died, rose in three days and ascended to heaven. I believe that I can have a relationship through God because of what Jesus Christ did.

 I admit my faith has been influenced by my parents' role in my life yet as an adult, I have not strayed away from my church or religion, in contrast becoming more involved the older I get. If it's not my parents keeping me there, then what is? What keeps us in churches, in synagogues, in temples, in mosques?

Whilst I've always hated the connotations of ‘religion', I think perhaps what's keeping me in church is the way I have come to define religion. In my opinion and experience, religion isn't rules, restrictions and restraints that many people understand it to be, it's a way of life that gives purpose, meaning and contentment. I'm not just religious on Sundays, I'm a Christian every day, for the rest of my life.

I think that there are three things we're all searching for: belonging, meaning and contentment.

Can religion offer us this? I definitely think it can. Underlying familial or friendship influences, we all harbour a desire to feel wanted, and for many, religion offers this safe haven.

Over the past three summers I've spent my holidays running a program ‘Beach Mission', for campers, twice at Evans Head and more recently at Lake Conjola, sharing with them my faith which I know to bring joy and fulfilment. This summer I had the great privilege of leading ‘the teens' section, and found that those Australian teenagers were all searching for the same things: belonging, meaning, contentment and an overall desire to feel wanted.

In contrast, I won't just be exploring the wonderful aspects of religion, I'll also try tackling the tricky issues - is it always easy being religious in Australian society?

Whilst I've painted a pretty perfect picture of the Christian life, my faith isn't always full of joy and belonging. Religion can be very ostracising - it means coming home early on a Saturday night so you'll wake up in time for church on Sunday morning and occasional persecution from friends. In highschool I was called ‘Ku Klux Klan' by a history teacher simply because of my Baptist background.

If this is the case for others, what is so special about religion that causes us to withstand these difficulties? As I suggested before, I believe the answer is found in our inner desire to feel wanted.

Whilst I believe Christianity offers fulfilment for my seeking generation, I hope the next few weeks will open my eyes to other religions - are we all seeking the same things, just finding it in different places?

What causes somebody to become a Buddhist and begin meditating, or somebody to become a Muslim and begin praying five times a day?

What is this force that sucks us in? What is your opinion?

Below are dates for my scheduled interviews and experience so you can keep track of what I'm doing. I'll do my best to stick to this schedule and I'll try blog my experiences within 3-4 days. As always, I'm regularly updating my twitter: www.twitter.com/religversity . Stay tuned!

Friday 22nd January

Islam

Hinduism

Saturday 23rd January

Cao Dai

Wednesday 27th January

Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons)

Friday 29th January

Scientology

Saturday 30th January

Buddhism

Sunday 31st January

Hillsong

Hinduism

Tuesday 2nd February

Judaism

Thursday 4th February

Atheism

Friday 5th February

Baha'i

Sunday 7th February

Catholicism

Tuesday 9th February

Jehovah's Witnesses