32 unread messages. A put down the phone, frustrated. How would A get through the next few days? Looking for answers, or distraction, A picked up the phone and started watching videos. One video caught A’s eye. A remarkable individual, talking about something religious or spiritual. A couldn’t quite make it out, but A was interested and found something impressive, maybe admirable, about the person.
So, A continued watching and search any content related to this person, especially his academic works. In his mind, religion is not a positive word. If one wanna it to remain neutral, a clear distinction from the cult, superstition, or folklore is necessary. To identify its vivacity in human life throughout history, he wishes to link his character to a long genealogy. Unless so, he feels that if he follows this model, what he loses is far more than what he gains. The cult, superstition, or folklore cannot be any legitimate reasons for any actions, while religious motivations should always be considered alongside the secular reasons, more particularly utilitarianism or “virtues” shaped by stereotypes. Perhaps, to be religiously spiritual is not to be condemned, but it cannot be understood by “the people”. One clause is quite impressive for A when we saw it on social media: “he is already a religious believer…（他都信教了…）” The mood this clause implies is a claim that religious people have no conversation with secular people, the religion is always alien to any version of modern life.
A is deeply influenced by the harsh distinction between religious and secular discourse, or at least, he believes most people have this opinion. He probably thinks this distinction is wrong, but when he wants to do what a religious influencer says, it is always a barrier for him to fully accept this narrative.
However, he instinctively wants to accept it fully. What gives him bravery? What can save him from the accusation of superstitious fool? What can justify this religious reason? What can reasonably make this one a better choice from other religious or secular reasons? A always thinks about these questions, and then moves away from religious content on social media to more serious knowledge. “It is another choice, but it is not what can make me commit to dedicating my life to. ” In some sense, A is never called by God, but calls God in various ways. Will God take the call? From another perspective, does A really decide to follow? Or he will err continuously in the fear of accusation from the people from the beginning to the end.
This story was submitted as part of the King’s Study Phase of the Gen Z Role Models Project. Added October 2026.
“search any content related to this person, especially his academic works” (S201) © 2026 by The Gen Z Role Models Project is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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