Do you know Mr Banks, that is exactly why it's important to see true Christians, "those that truly are followers of Jesus Christ" and who are living by the power of the Holy Spirit, as completely different to those who call themselves Christian and yet have no understanding of the reality God in their lives. The Muslim "zeal" for the faith they believe in is commendable and shames many a so called Christian in comparison. Believe it or not though, there are many millions of Christians around the world, who love God with that same intensity of faith and longing to serve Him and if you truly discover the God they serve, you would find a gift of inexpressible pleasure and joy.
Problem is, where the western world has separated state and religion, every day life and faith, the results are what you saw in your youth group. What you have said is not only your words, they are repeated in many so called Christian countries. Even in the west, people are crying out for something to satisfy them in their inner most being and will try anything to satisfy it, and the state of the western world, just reflects what is going on in their hearts... aimless drifting without purpose or hope.
Believe me, all that is spoken of as Christian, is NOT Christian, and true believers who love God and KNOW God loves them, have the answer to all youth's and all adults deepest longings, no matter where they live in the world.
How can it not be? God, the creator of the universe ( and me as an individual) LOVES ME?? He loves me enough to die for me, and provide the only way for my sins to be forgiven, and to know that I WILL have eternal life. By His resurrection I have the assurance of life with Him in the after life. And because of that LOVE, He calls me to LOVE Him in return and then to LOVE others in the same way. The missing part in my life, when I experience the true God experientially is filled. It's beyond explanation and it's the deepest innermost desire of all human beings It gives purpose and meaning to life, and it gives purpose and meaning to the afterlife.
I am sharing that message with the youth of my town, and it's the reason I come here all the time. To tell people who visit this forum that GOD IS LOVE and HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM". Christians who don't separate their faith from any part of their life will always be different from those who nominally call themselves believers, and will always have answers beyond discussing whether this translation or that one is correct, or whether there is a Triune God head or not.
Our faith is way beyond those issues. (yes they are important, essential issues), but it's the reality of God in our lives which is the answer to those needs you have expressed.. not outwardly in expression of a religious faith, no matter how zealously followed, which will never bring true satisfaction, but inwardly, where God is at work by His Spirit, confirming to me that I am a Child of God. I wouldn't swap that for anything in this world or the next!