People are becoming less religious

In wake of the Pope stepping down recently, I have found myself reflecting on the state of affairs in America as far as religion is concerned. My major concern is a general apathy that people seem to have towards religion, similar to the apathy in regards to voting. Less than 20% of Americans regularly attend Church, and I feel that many people have become disillusioned with what many would see as archaic practices that promote intolerance (at least to a degree). Is there anything we (as Americans) can do to promote more active religious participation, or is the decline a result of a changing society (can it not be avoided)?

 

Those of us who are regular churchgoers can be a good example. We need to do our best to be the kind of people that other people admire for our kindness and positive attitudes.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head. Most Christians I know are shallow, petty, judgmental and superficial. I come from a large Christian family see see it all the time. If more Christians started acting more Christian... you know, following the Ten Commandments, practicing Matthew 7 and such, then more of us non Christians may have a much better view of Christianity in general. The best way to bring more people to Christianity is by setting an example for others to follow.

 

bingo! this is what will save your faith, if anything can actually save it.

 

worrying about it is a bit like worrying about the discovery that the earth is round. religion has had its day, but will putter along for a little while yet. there'll be small bursts of fervour every now and then - the current Papal Excitement being a good example - but will eventually peeter out altogether. at least for the vast majority of the developed world. doesn't mean YOU have to stop doing your thang, though

 

Its easier to not go to church, not uphold expections of God and live ignorantly. The more our children are born into broken homes and the more people's actions are NOT judged...the further away we get.

Morality is upheld by a community...and the degradation of morals will bring a communtiy down to utter chaos. Church going people should diligently live a righteous life---and educating people on why a righteous life is important for our society, children and our future is worth doing as well.

 

Why do you need more "active religious participation"? Can't you just live your faith and be a good person?

 

such an odd thing to say. what on earth do broken homes and morality have to do with religion? last time I checked, america - the most xtianised country in the developed world, had the highest divorce rate in same. and I understand that societal decay is most prevalent in your bible belts. now I'm not suggestion religion is the cause - just that it has no bearing.

 

Yeah, open a church, but don't put any authority figure in charge. Just meet up where it is a open discussion about religion, where an athiest, or agnostic, or Catholic could go have a civil discussion about what religion means.

This is why religion is failing. There is no free will in religion. You join a church, and you are expected to subscribe to their beliefs.

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.politicalforum.com/polit...iests-what-we-lost-when-we-lost-religion.html

 

Mmmh, I wonder how welcome I’d be in the “Brights Movement” if I outed myself as a believing Christian.

However: there’s a wide variety of religious communities. Some are more tolerant and diverse, some less so. The Quakers might come closest to what you wish for.

 

Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in western countries, especially Canada, Australia and the US.

Now,, here's a question, are Christians converting to Buddhism or are non-religious people taking on Buddhism?

 

What church would I go to if wanted to discuss why some books were chosen for the bible, and others discarded at the council of Nicea?

I really don't think there is anywhere you can go if you want to have a truely open discussion.

 

Where I come from you can discuss that question in seminars on Bible Studies and Church history in any given accredited Theology seminar at university. As far as I remember it also came up in the more intellectual bible circles my church and the local Catholic church host. I’m an average German Protestant. One of my Pastor's and my personal beliefs differ in many ways, yet he always gives me a friendly welcome. Just as friendly as the one my other Pastor gives me who I’m closer to theologically. The two always cooperated very well.

I'm sure if you really looked for it, you would find an equally open-minded Church in your area.

 

I grew up Mormon, where they create the apprearance that this occurs, but where everyone actually just follows the same written script.

I think what I am actually asking for is where questions are encouraged, in the same way critical thinking is encouraged in STEM courses. A culture of engagement on a religious intellectual level.

 

Awesome topic.

Intellectually, Americans suck at math and science compared to other countries (I presume), however Americans are very good at Bible-thumping. So, if that's the skill set of the nation, that's what we have to work with, then make your religion about math and science.

A good place to start is "Java", that's a computer language. It's also a word that very much resembles the Tetragrammaton. Of course, the so-called Bible codes are novelties, but it's deep. Genesis, chapter 1, "Let there be light," probably the most significant piece of software ever written. In there you have idioms about evenings and mornings, days and nights, and how might that compare to the input/output cycles of a modern computer.

It turns out that people who appreciate scriptures often have clever insights to offer the computer sciences, most likely because religion began with the study of numbers and how to make calendars for agriculture. It's a theory, anyways.

 

I teach 11th and 12th graders and I encourage them to test their faith. We've discussed evolution, the authority of scripture, the age of the earth, as well as other religions. I tell them what I think, and encourage them to challenge me. I want them to investigate the differences between science and religion, and between faith and "reason". Its my belief, and If I'm wrong then so be it, that if I can allow them to challenge me, and allow them to question what they've always had questions about, then when I give them an arguement for it, it'll either stick or it wont. I trust God, and I trust scripture, and I believe that by telling them to challenge me, and how to challenge back, Christ will build stronger Christians. I believe you can't shelter them, but you also can't send them into the battle, without the proper armor. I encourage "free thinking". If it leads to atheism, or some other religion, then so be it. I believe Christ will prevail. He may only have a remnant, but thats all He needs, and He actually doesn't need that. If 100% of the world turned their back on Christ, He would still be exalted and glorified. He doesn't need me or any other Christian, for Him to be Glorified.

 

It is extremely hard to "just live your faith and be a good person" without help. Active religious participation (aka going to Church at least weekly) makes it easier to do that. In the case of Catholics, attending Mass on Sunday is part of living our faith.

 

I could not disagree more. Judging others is an exercise in futility. We have no control over other people. Our time is better spent critiquing our self and setting the example for others to follow. Many love to judge but get very angry when they are judged... hypocrisy IMO. I have been judged many times in my life by Christians for shallow and superficial reasons. You know what a life of being judged by Christians has done for me? Just makes me hate most Christians and pushes me further and further from the Church. And has it changes the fact that I have long hair, tattoos and like Heavy Metal? Nope. As I have said in past threads... when I get judged by a Christian who I personally know uses porn and smokes dope... well it makes me think I want nothing to do with Christianity.

Morality is subjective and wide open to interpretation. Who's morality do we live by... Christians... Islamic Law... Atheists... Hindus? Do you want me to live by Christian values? Why would I want to do that when most Christians I know can't even do that?

For the most part I agree here, so long as educating people does not actually mean forcing others to believe as you do under penalty of judgment and condemnation for any whom disagree with Christian ideals.

 

good. Religion needs to go the way of the dodo. It serves no real purpose in society. I believe that religion has been the single most horrible idea ever inflicted upon man kind.

 

Seriously, I wish more people were like you!

 

Short of winding back Scientific understanding......Nope, I got nothin'.

 

Well said. 50% divorce rate in a country where 69% to 98% (depending on poll you believe) of people are self identified Christians... makes me think that Christians are doing a fine job themselves in destroying the institution of marriage and the family unit.

 

Obviously most of the christians in america arent "true christians"

 

I tried to find accurate information on how many Christians are in America, but all I found were wildly differentiating polls of people who "self identified" them selves as Christian. Is Lil Wayne a Christian because he wears a crucifix? I think most Christians like to wear the mantle of Christianity but do little to earn it. The Bible is something to be cherry picked and Church is best attended when its convenient.

My completely biased and non scientific opinion is that at best 25% of Americans are actual Christians... and I am being very kind here.

 

I think your pretty much dead on here. Although I would peg it at about 10%.

The rest are just facist ********s.