Roger Meier 1995 –

Roger grew up on the Bruderhof and became a member in 2016. He now studies education and geography in Vienna. 

I don’t bring up my faith with other students unless they ask me. Most can’t relate to church, and seem to feel like the classmate who spoke up in a religion class and said he was sick and tired of the Jesus stories he’d heard since childhood. Faith is just like the ancient stone buildings they grew up worshiping in. Whereas for me, it’s something living and real.

But I do ask them about their lives. A huge percentage seem dissatisfied, even repulsed, by the lifestyle they’re trapped in – the hookup culture, binge drinking – and many are scarred by it. They’re looking for something real and it’s not hard to connect: to go out for a beer and have a good conversation about politics, justice, the environment, where society is heading, or our generation’s future. Just about anyone can connect with Jesus’ teachings on justice and peace and loving your neighbor as yourself, even if you don’t frame them religiously. That, to me, is sharing your faith.