New York ? Faiza worships five times a day, while Rhianna is as likely to believe in God as in the Easter Bunny. Kristin prays too, but to the God and the Goddess.

This teenage religion debate can be found on the pages of a magazine better known for explaining how to match lipstick to blush — not exploring the concept of a higher power.

But under editor-in-chief Atoosa Rubenstein, the venerable girls’ publication Seventeen has added a faith section that includes inspirational messages, personal stories of spiritual struggle and testimonials on issues ranging from prayer to gay teens who attend church.

The content is serious. Verses from the New Testament are printed beside sayings from the Prophet Muhammad. The teachings of Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama are also featured.

Rubenstein said she started the section not to spread a religious message, but to provide a forum on an issue she believes is important to this generation of girls.

“I feel, and had sensed that my readers felt, that there was an entire magazine that wasn’t speaking to a part of them,” Rubenstein said. “I just noticed more and more our readers were talking about their faith.”

Experts on religion and youth trends agree. They theorize that teens are rebelling against the broad, undefined spirituality of their baby-boomer parents, and are seeking out environments — like those in church — with clearer rules that help them cope with day-to-day problems.

In a recent study by Teenage Research Unlimited, a market research firm in Northbrook, Ill., 58 percent of teens ranked faith as among the most important parts of their life, said Michael Wood, the company’s vice president. Still, he knew of no other teen fashion magazine with a religion section.

Rubenstein, who was the founding editor of CosmoGirl!, said she first proposed a faith section several years ago when she was just starting out in magazine publishing. The response from the other editors, she said, was that a fashion magazine was no place for God.