America Becoming Less Christian, Survey Shows

[New Skaaneland]

Nope. These are largely undisputed facts.

[Domitia]

It's really sort of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, any sort of decline in Christianity is inherently a bad thing, but on the other hand, the decline of mainline Protestantism is to be expected (this has been happening for decades). I think that American Christianity has been more American than Christian for quite some time. I mean, the fact that so many people are more concerned with so-called "marriage equality" than religious freedom is telling.

So the main question is, what's the best scenario for the re-evangelization of America? Is it better to let Atheism take over, then swoop in once people have realized they made the wrong choice, or is it more important to let the majority of American Christians think of themselves as Christians despite their beliefs being closer to moral therapeutic Deism? Personally, I think it'd be healthier to start with square one, than to have to re-educate people who already think of themselves as Christian. It boils down to what's easier: converting a Pagan to Christianity, or convincing a heretical Christian that his views are contrary to orthodox Christianity?

Either way, Christianity has survived as a persecuted minority religion before, so it's safe to assume that it'll survive in the future as well.

P.S. I'm not necessarily saying that Christianity is currently being persecuted in the US (it'd be foolish to claim that it isn't happening elsewhere, given how many Christians have died at the hands of ISIS). If I were trying to say that Christians were currently being persecuted, I'd have said something like "Just like in the past, Christianity has survived persecution, thus it will endure this current persecution as well". Though, like many traditionalist religious people, I'm concerned that when it comes to gay rights versus religious rights, the religious are going to lose. You might say that's a good thing, but I clearly disagree. While you're probably going to think I'm wrong to be against gay marriage, I at least think I'm consistent in that I also criticize American Christianity for allowing no-fault divorce and contraception. I think it's silly that many conservatives are claiming to defend traditional marriage by opposing same-sex marriage, but are totally fine with divorce (which also goes against traditional marriage).

Concerning future persecution of Christianity, it only seems natural. As Western society continues to distance itself from its Christian roots, Christian values will become more out of sync with secular values. Eventually, the religious will be forced to suffer quietly, while "enlightened" Progressivists have their say as to the future of the human race. Have you heard of those Atheist folks that want to make passing your religion onto your children illegal? For many Atheists they dream of a future where religion is either non-existent, or neutered. Would they go so far as to ban religion? Probably not. But things like making proselytizing illegal aren't that far-fetched. Am I wrong to feel concerned when society is moving in a direction I think is wrong? Wouldn't you be concerned too if, say, America were instead in another religious revival?

[Auroya]

Nope. These are largely undisputed facts.

You should have no problem proving them then.

[Bezkoshtovnya]

Nope. These are largely undisputed facts.

Then it shouldn't be hard to prove them no?

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Nope. These are largely undisputed facts.

Then fucking source them?

[Auroya]

any sort of decline in Christianity is inherently a bad thing

Any decline in any religion is a good thing actually.

[Scomagia]

It's really sort of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, any sort of decline in Christianity is inherently a bad thing, but on the other hand, the decline of mainline Protestantism is to be expected (this has been happening for decades). I think that American Christianity has been more American than Christian for quite some time. I mean, the fact that so many people are more concerned with so-called "marriage equality" than religious freedom is telling.

So the main question is, what's the best scenario for the re-evangelization of America? Is it better to let Atheism take over, then swoop in once people have realized they made the wrong choice, or is it more important to let the majority of American Christians think of themselves as Christians despite their beliefs being closer to moral therapeutic Deism? Personally, I think it'd be healthier to start with square one, than to have to re-educate people who already think of themselves as Christian. It boils down to what's easier: converting a Pagan to Christianity, or convincing a heretical Christian that his views are contrary to orthodox Christianity?

Either way, Christianity has survived as a persecuted minority religion before, so it's safe to assume that it'll survive in the future as well.

No one is persecuting you. Stop lying.

[Scomagia]

any sort of decline in Christianity is inherently a bad thing

Any decline in any religion is a good thing actually.

Both statements are equally ridiculous.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Any decline in any religion is a good thing actually.

Both statements are equally ridiculous.

Any decline in religious extremism/fundamentalism is a good thing.

*waits on opinion*

[Bezkoshtovnya]

Nope. These are largely undisputed facts.

Except.....

Early Islam promulgated capitalist economic policies, which migrated to Europe through trade partners from cities such as Venice

-Koehler, Benedikt. Early Islam and the Birth of Capitalism

So clearly, it is not that undisputed.

[Auroya]

Any decline in any religion is a good thing actually.

Both statements are equally ridiculous.

Not at all, religion is faith, faith is belief without evidence and thus irrational, this is inherently a bad thing.

[Scomagia]

Both statements are equally ridiculous.

Not at all, religion is faith, faith is belief without evidence and thus irrational, this is inherently a bad thing.

Except you've failed to prove why irrationality is inherently bad.

Amusingly, your post is irrational or, at least, illogical.

[The Wolven League]

Best news I've heard all day.

[Scomagia]

Both statements are equally ridiculous.

Any decline in religious extremism/fundamentalism is a good thing.

*waits on opinion*

Any decline in any sort of extremism is a good thing.

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

It's really sort of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, any sort of decline in Christianity is inherently a bad thing, but on the other hand, the decline of mainline Protestantism is to be expected (this has been happening for decades). I think that American Christianity has been more American than Christian for quite some time. I mean, the fact that so many people are more concerned with so-called "marriage equality" than religious freedom is telling.

So the main question is, what's the best scenario for the re-evangelization of America? Is it better to let Atheism take over, then swoop in once people have realized they made the wrong choice, or is it more important to let the majority of American Christians think of themselves as Christians despite their beliefs being closer to moral therapeutic Deism? Personally, I think it'd be healthier to start with square one, than to have to re-educate people who already think of themselves as Christian. It boils down to what's easier: converting a Pagan to Christianity, or convincing a heretical Christian that his views are contrary to orthodox Christianity?

Either way, Christianity has survived as a persecuted minority religion before, so it's safe to assume that it'll survive in the future as well.

No one is persecuting you. Stop lying.

Sort out the calamity that is your mammaries. He's not saying he's being persecuted, he's musing over the possibility of Christianity becoming a persecuted minority religion in the future.

[Bezkoshtovnya]

No one is persecuting you. Stop lying.

Sort out the calamity that is your mammaries. He's not saying he's being persecuted, he's musing over the possibility of Christianity becoming a persecuted minority religion in the future.

Which is just as dubious.

[Scomagia]

No one is persecuting you. Stop lying.

Sort out the calamity that is your mammaries. He's not saying he's being persecuted, he's musing over the possibility of Christianity becoming a persecuted minority religion in the future.

Nah, there's definitely a hint of "wah, persecution" there.

I mean, the fact that so many people are more concerned with so-called "marriage equality" than religious freedom is telling.

[Auroya]

Not at all, religion is faith, faith is belief without evidence and thus irrational, this is inherently a bad thing.

Except you've failed to prove why irrationality is inherently bad.

Amusingly, your post is irrational or, at least, illogical.

It may simply be that I personally hold truth very highly, but irrationality is inherently an enemy of truth. The irrational viewpoint may be more comforting than the rational one but this is not an excuse for holding it.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

No one is persecuting you. Stop lying.

Sort out the calamity that is your mammaries. He's not saying he's being persecuted, he's musing over the possibility of Christianity becoming a persecuted minority religion in the future.

Considering the trend toward irreligiousness and tolerance, that's highly unlikely.

[Aswenia]

And yet we see America going downhill everyday, coincidence? I think not.

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

Sort out the calamity that is your mammaries. He's not saying he's being persecuted, he's musing over the possibility of Christianity becoming a persecuted minority religion in the future.

Which is just as dubious.

But nothing to make a mountain out of.

Sort out the calamity that is your mammaries. He's not saying he's being persecuted, he's musing over the possibility of Christianity becoming a persecuted minority religion in the future.

Nah, there's definitely a hint of "wah, persecution" there.

I mean, the fact that so many people are more concerned with so-called "marriage equality" than religious freedom is telling.

He's just arguing a potential subversion of the norm at best, and 'muh gay muslim agenda' at worst. Considering his post count I'd like to be optimistic and just assume it was poorly worded.

[Scomagia]

And yet we see America going downhill everyday, coincidence? I think not.

Prove it to be something more than coincidence.

[Auroya]

And yet we see America going downhill everyday, coincidence? I think not.

As global temperatures have increased we have seen an increase in the total number of pirates, coincidence? I think not.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

And yet we see America going downhill everyday, coincidence? I think not.

Source for America going downhill

Source for there being a correlation

Source for causation

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

And yet we see America going downhill everyday, coincidence? I think not.

And yet we see far right wingers getting more vocal every day, coincidence? I think not.

Hay, I can do that too!