Finish this sentence (I can’t find the right word)!?

you could call them “Young Turks.” Or you could call them progressive or liberal, which means basically what you just said.

First, teachings are inanimate so they cannot be the recipient of something. Use the word object instead.

Second, a peer is an equal. Applying an adjective is superlative based on your description. You may also want to move the “for example” to the beginning of the sentence.

“For example, the Catholic Church’s teachings on abortion and gay marriage became the object of much criticism by my peers.”

By the way, do you and your peers oppose tradition, or merely question it (as every generation does). Desiring change is also a common trait of youth. I am not being critical, I believe we need the youthful perspective in order to advance as a society.

I have a problem with ‘teachings’ becoming ‘recipients.’

How about: “For example, the Catholic Church’s stance on abortion and gay marriage received much criticism from my 21st century peers.”

“The Catholic Church’s teachings on abortion and gay marriage, for example, became the recipients of much criticism from my _protesting_ peers.”

p.s. May I also add, that like my colleague below, I’ve noted that your question is highly appealing in it’s subtle allusions to what you’re “really asking”, and a scintillating play on words. Please do note as well that my answer to you is also a play on words – a juxtaposition of Catholicism “versus” Protestantism.

p.s.s. But please don’t entice me further to add long and verbose essays on Abortion, Free Will, The State of the Union of Marriage, Life, and the Universe too.

Well first of all, you’re saying that the TEACHINGS themselves were the recipients of much criticism. I think you want to say that the “Catholic Church, as a result of its teachings on abortion and gay marriage…” as opposed to how you have it worded here.

Anyway, to answer your question, some choice words and phrases could include:

Progressive

Liberal

Open-minded

less conservative

etc.

In my assessment, based on your additional comments, the most appropriate choice in this case would be: … __forward-looking__ peers.

P.S. Alternatively, I would suggest: … ___broadminded__ peers.

P.S.S. I must say I also enjoyed your clever strategy of taking a concealed stab at the Catholic Church, and lumping abortion rights and gay marriages under the same-cloaked commentary. … Nice job my “teenage” friend! … LOL

forward-thinking

progressive

iconoclastic

“…teachings…became the recipients of much criticism…”

This doesn’t work, as teachings aren’t going to receive anything. It would be better to use “…teachings…became the (target or subject) of much criticism…”

Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan lol!

Coequality.

“younger generation peers”