Where Have All the Christians Gone?

min0 lee · 10-08-2009, 06:25 PM

Where Have All the Christians Gone? - FOXNews.com

Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing.

A shocking new study of Americans’ religious beliefs shows the beginnings of a major realignment in Americans’ relationship with God. The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) reveals that Protestants now represent half of all Americans, down almost 20 percent in the last twenty years. In the coming months, America will become a minority Protestant nation for the first time since the pilgrims.

The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Non-believers now represent the third-highest group of Americans, after Catholics and Baptists.

Other headlines:
1) The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history.

2) The growth of non-believers has come largely from men. Twenty percent of men express no religious affiliation; 12% of women.

3) Young people are fleeing faith. Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion.

4) But these non-believers are not particularly atheist. That number hasn’t budged and stands at less than 1 percent. (Agnostics are similarly less than 1 percent.) Instead, these individuals have a belief in God but no interest in organized religion, or they believe in a personal God but not in a formal faith tradition.
The implications for American society are profound. Americans’ relationship with God, which drove many of the country’s great transformations from the pilgrims to the founding fathers, the Civil War to the civil rights movement, is still intact. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe in God or a higher power.

But at the same time, the study offers yet another wake-up call for religious institutions.

First, catering to older believers is a recipe for failure; younger Americans are tuning out.

Second, Americans are interested in God, but they don’t think existing institutions are helping them draw closer to God.

Finally, Americans’ interest in religion has not always been stable. It dipped following the Revolution and again following Civil War. In both cases it rebounded because religious institutions adapted and found new ways of relating to everyday Americans.

Today, the rise of disaffection is so powerful that different denominations needs to band together to find a shared language of God that can move beyond the fading divisions of the past and begin moving toward a partnership of different-but-equal traditions.

Or risk becoming Europe, where religion is fast becoming an afterthought.

maniclion · 10-08-2009, 06:56 PM

I have a faithless spirituality, thats all I need to get through life.....I don't need fairy tales to feel a deeper connection with the universe.

AKIRA · 10-08-2009, 08:25 PM

I wonder if this was predicted from the Myan (sp?) calendar.

SYN · 10-08-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Where Have All the Christians Gone? - FOXNews.com

Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing.

A shocking new study of Americans’ religious beliefs shows the beginnings of a major realignment in Americans’ relationship with God. The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) reveals that Protestants now represent half of all Americans, down almost 20 percent in the last twenty years. In the coming months, America will become a minority Protestant nation for the first time since the pilgrims.

The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Non-believers now represent the third-highest group of Americans, after Catholics and Baptists.

Other headlines:
1) The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history.

2) The growth of non-believers has come largely from men. Twenty percent of men express no religious affiliation; 12% of women.

3) Young people are fleeing faith. Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion.

4) But these non-believers are not particularly atheist. That number hasn’t budged and stands at less than 1 percent. (Agnostics are similarly less than 1 percent.) Instead, these individuals have a belief in God but no interest in organized religion, or they believe in a personal God but not in a formal faith tradition.
The implications for American society are profound. Americans’ relationship with God, which drove many of the country’s great transformations from the pilgrims to the founding fathers, the Civil War to the civil rights movement, is still intact. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe in God or a higher power.

But at the same time, the study offers yet another wake-up call for religious institutions.

First, catering to older believers is a recipe for failure; younger Americans are tuning out.

Second, Americans are interested in God, but they don’t think existing institutions are helping them draw closer to God.

Finally, Americans’ interest in religion has not always been stable. It dipped following the Revolution and again following Civil War. In both cases it rebounded because religious institutions adapted and found new ways of relating to everyday Americans.

Today, the rise of disaffection is so powerful that different denominations needs to band together to find a shared language of God that can move beyond the fading divisions of the past and begin moving toward a partnership of different-but-equal traditions.

Or risk becoming Europe, where religion is fast becoming an afterthought.

20/12 conspiracy anybody?

Double D · 10-08-2009, 08:56 PM

Is there any wonder why this country is going to hell?

IronAddict · 10-09-2009, 09:15 AM

With all the wars, lying, stealing, cheating, back stabbing, greed, killing and a whole bunch of other sins.

I'd say that shark has been jumped along time ago!

ROID · 10-09-2009, 10:21 AM

it's about time people started to think for themselves. The only good thing that came out of religion for me was when that old man showed me the ways of the world when I was just a wee lad.

KelJu · 10-09-2009, 12:28 PM

Fucking good! I yearn to live in a country that doesn't legislate morality based fictional stories in a book passed down from society to society.

Worse comes to worst, I will die in the Apocalypse. I'll either get to high-five Satan for providing the fun stuff that I enjoyed during my life, or kick God in the balls for creating me without my permission.

NeilPearson · 10-09-2009, 12:39 PM

"Where Have All the Christians Gone?"

--- We've been feeding them to the lions

ROID · 10-09-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelJu

Fucking good! I yearn to live in a country that doesn't legislate morality based fictional stories in a book passed down from society to society.

Worse comes to worst, I will die in the Apocalypse. I'll either get to high-five Satan for providing the fun stuff that I enjoyed during my life, or kick God in the balls for creating me without my permission.

i don't think the stories are fictional. I think the stories have been misinterpreted.

There is no such thing as Satan and according to my recent enlightenment you chose to create yourself. I'm on the way now to kick you in your balls free of charge.

maniclion · 10-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilPearson

"Where Have All the Christians Gone?"

--- We've been feeding them to the lions

Christians are unpalatable, we mince the meat and feed it to the elderly lions then we grind the bones to a powder and use it on diaper rash.....

Little Wing · 10-09-2009, 06:53 PM

the last 3 digits in my new phone number are 666.

Little Wing · 10-09-2009, 06:54 PM

srsly

Kevsworld · 10-09-2009, 11:15 PM

I'm a Christian.

I believe part of our problem has been a failure to meaningfully connect with the modern culture. Just my two cents.

**Prince** · 10-09-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Christianity is plummeting in America...

thank god.

Little Wing · 10-10-2009, 04:04 AM

Time Magazine, April 8, 1966: Is God Dead?
This cover has been called the most controversial of all time. The related article concerned the “death of god movement” that had sprung up in the 1960’s. The cover and article enraged readers.

maniclion · 10-10-2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Wing

Time Magazine, April 8, 1966: Is God Dead?
This cover has been called the most controversial of all time. The related article concerned the “death of god movement” that had sprung up in the 1960’s. The cover and article enraged readers.

4-8 = -4 + 19 = 15 = 1+5 = 6 = 666 OH MY goDDDDDDD WE'RE ALL GONNA die

Little Wing · 10-10-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maniclion

4-8 = -4 + 19 = 15 = 1+5 = 6 = 666 OH MY goDDDDDDD WE'RE ALL GONNA die

not for a verrrry long time.

Big Smoothy · 10-10-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Where Have All the Christians Gone? - FOXNews.com

Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing.

The data does not support this.

Note the source: Faux News.

busyLivin · 10-10-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevsworld

I'm a Christian.

I believe part of our problem has been a failure to meaningfully connect with the modern culture. Just my two cents.

I always disagreed with this seemingly popular sentiment. Being a Christian, to me, meant trying to live as Christ did & how He told us to model our lives. Why is Christianity supposed to now conform to popular culture?

Not only why.. how? Is Jesus all of a sudden going to approve of unwed couples having sex or living together because our culture now accepts is? Is He supposed to be fine with abortion because most people are? I don't mean to sound ignorant, I just don't understand how people want things to change when they say we "need to adapt". We change.. God doesn't.

Nobody ever said being a Christian was easy. It's an invitation to a set of beliefs.. not a club that changes it's foundations to boost subscribers. The day the Church does this is the day I leave it.

The truth is that moral values are declining. Christianity holds people accountable for their actions this so the easiest thing to do is write it off.. mock it.. demean it.

I'd personally rather see the number plummet & have the term "Christian" actually mean something. Not that I'm a model Christian, but calling yourself Christian & being one are two completely different things.

Christianity has survived much worse. It's going to be around for a while.

**Dale Mabry** · 10-10-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busyLivin

I always disagreed with this seemingly popular sentiment. Being a Christian, to me, meant trying to live as Christ did & how He told us to model our lives. Why is Christianity supposed to now conform to popular culture?

Not only why.. how? Is Jesus all of a sudden going to approve of unwed couples having sex or living together because our culture now accepts is? Is He supposed to be fine with abortion because most people are? I don't mean to sound ignorant, I just don't understand how people want things to change when they say we "need to adapt". We change.. God doesn't.

Nobody ever said being a Christian was easy. It's an invitation to a set of beliefs.. not a club that changes it's foundations to boost subscribers. The day the Church does this is the day I leave it.

The truth is that moral values are declining. Christianity holds people accountable for their actions this so the easiest thing to do is write it off.. mock it.. demean it.

I'd personally rather see the number plummet & have the term "Christian" actually mean something. Not that I'm a model Christian, but calling yourself Christian & being one are two completely different things.

Christianity has survived much worse. It's going to be around for a while.

I pretty much agree with this. I am agnostic and want religion out of our government, but respect a person's right to believe what they want. However, how could Christianity completely change everything it is about just to conform to modern society without seeming hypocritical? IMO, the basic tenet of Christianity is sound, live a good life and be good to others, it's just the other bullshit that requires people to tell others what they can and can't do that irks me. I have no problem with people believing what they believe, just keep it to yourself. Most people who I know that are Christians are like that, and we get along swimmingly. It's the people at the top that preach and preach and preach about how we are all sinners and then diddle 12 year old boys that screw it up for everyone else.

danzik17 · 10-10-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busyLivin

I always disagreed with this seemingly popular sentiment. Being a Christian, to me, meant trying to live as Christ did & how He told us to model our lives. Why is Christianity supposed to now conform to popular culture?

Not only why.. how? Is Jesus all of a sudden going to approve of unwed couples having sex or living together because our culture now accepts is? Is He supposed to be fine with abortion because most people are? I don't mean to sound ignorant, I just don't understand how people want things to change when they say we "need to adapt". We change.. God doesn't.

Nobody ever said being a Christian was easy. It's an invitation to a set of beliefs.. not a club that changes it's foundations to boost subscribers. The day the Church does this is the day I leave it.

The truth is that moral values are declining. Christianity holds people accountable for their actions this so the easiest thing to do is write it off.. mock it.. demean it.

I'd personally rather see the number plummet & have the term "Christian" actually mean something. Not that I'm a model Christian, but calling yourself Christian & being one are two completely different things.

Christianity has survived much worse. It's going to be around for a while.

So let me get this straight, you claim to try to live by the values of Christ and yet are in favor of torture to get information?

This just in, Christ favors torture!

**Dale Mabry** · 10-10-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzik17

So let me get this straight, you claim to try to live by the values of Christ and yet are in favor of torture to get information?

This just in, Christ favors torture!

Until you've been forced to watch an entire weekend of The Hills and Real Chance at Love, you haven't experienced torture.

busyLivin · 10-10-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzik17

So let me get this straight, you claim to try to live by the values of Christ and yet are in favor of torture to get information?

This just in, Christ favors torture!

First off, as I plainly stated in the post you quoted, but apparently didn't read, I don't consider myself a model Christian.

And your simplifying a admittedly very complicated topic.. and you know it. Apparently I gave you too much credit from past debates.

If supporting "torture" to save potentially countless innocent peoples lives makes me a bad Christian, I will happily have that debate with God, not you.

Thanks for adding nothing to the topic.

Little Wing · 10-10-2009, 01:31 PM

if someone had my son and the only way to find him was to torture the guy. who in fuck's sake wouldn't do it? id stick pins in the guys eyes, slit his nutsack and dangle his balls out... myself. you can aspire to live by the values of christ but unfuckingfortunately we have to do it in a world full of shitheads. they are here and we need to deal with them. when the right thing is at stake torture away.

danzik17 · 10-10-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Wing

if someone had my son and the only way to find him was to torture the guy. who in fuck's sake wouldn't do it? id stick pins in the guys eyes, slit his nutsack and dangle his balls out... myself. you can aspire to live by the values of christ but unfuckingfortunately we have to do it in a world full of shitheads. they are here and we need to deal with them. when the right thing is at stake torture away.

I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm merely pointing out the hypocrisy in saying that one attempts to follow the views of Christ while advocating torture.

Personally, I believe that religion is a bunch of bullshit. I just like to egg on certain people who cry and scream when people don't agree with them

Little Wing · 10-10-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzik17

I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm merely pointing out the hypocrisy in saying that one attempts to follow the views of Christ while advocating torture.

Personally, I believe that religion is a bunch of bullshit. I just like to egg on certain people who cry and scream when people don't agree with them

he's tempering his religious beliefs with the reality of living in today. not such a bad thing, kinda be stupid not to.

this is great. the big guy attempts to be peaceful. attempting is good. but there comes a point... watch n see

He Deserved It » AcidCow.com - videos, pictures, celebs, flash games

KelJu · 10-10-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busyLivin

First off, as I plainly stated in the post you quoted, but apparently didn't read, I don't consider myself a model Christian.

And your simplifying a admittedly very complicated topic.. and you know it. Apparently I gave you too much credit from past debates.

If supporting "torture" to save potentially countless innocent peoples lives makes me a bad Christian, I will happily have that debate with God, not you.

Thanks for adding nothing to the topic.

Bend it and pervert it all you like. Jesus wouldn't torture a man to stop terrorism. Jesus would try to understand the man, and love him, and try to show him a way to find happiness without hurting others. Religious fanaticism on their side and ours is the cause of terrorism in the first place.

You are christian only on the values that you already agreed with, and to hell with the rest. You are a primary reason why people are turning their backs on the church. Ironically, you are the primary cause of the death of your own relegion. Give a few generations, and maybe it will be phased out completely.

bio-chem · 10-10-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYN

20/12 conspiracy anybody?

you're a pretty quick kid. nicely done

bio-chem · 10-10-2009, 05:20 PM

i've got to admit this is some funny damn stuff. everyone of you guys is awesome who posted in this thread.

honestly though. how is this news? when the article states "non-believers" it means in organized religion. not in God. Atheists remain the same. less than 1%. A larger percentage of Americans while still believing in God do not claim a denomination? thats not news. thats not even a big deal. It's been known for awhile now that certain denominations are shrinking here in America while others are growing. It's ironic too because the organized Christian denominations that are changing the most to appeal to the masses are the ones that are shrinking. The denominations holding course in doctrine are the ones growing.

In my opinion a larger percentage of Americans (who by an overwhelming majority still believe in God) are forced to search for him elsewhere because they are not able to find him in the organized religion they see today.

God is still out there, and he has not abandoned us. For those that are looking they will find him. It's time for a purging of the so called leaders in Christianity today anyway. God doesn't want pedophiles, adulterers, or thieves speaking in his name, and he sure as hell doesn't want his children following these people. and as long as these people represent a denomination it will continue to wither. I can handle that.

10-08-2009, 06:25 PM	#1
min0 lee Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Bronx, NYC Posts: 38,792 Photos: 542	Where Have All the Christians Gone? Where Have All the Christians Gone? - FOXNews.com Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing. A shocking new study of Americans’ religious beliefs shows the beginnings of a major realignment in Americans’ relationship with God. The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) reveals that Protestants now represent half of all Americans, down almost 20 percent in the last twenty years. In the coming months, America will become a minority Protestant nation for the first time since the pilgrims. The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Non-believers now represent the third-highest group of Americans, after Catholics and Baptists. Other headlines: 1) The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history. 2) The growth of non-believers has come largely from men. Twenty percent of men express no religious affiliation; 12% of women. 3) Young people are fleeing faith. Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion. 4) But these non-believers are not particularly atheist. That number hasn’t budged and stands at less than 1 percent. (Agnostics are similarly less than 1 percent.) Instead, these individuals have a belief in God but no interest in organized religion, or they believe in a personal God but not in a formal faith tradition. The implications for American society are profound. Americans’ relationship with God, which drove many of the country’s great transformations from the pilgrims to the founding fathers, the Civil War to the civil rights movement, is still intact. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe in God or a higher power. But at the same time, the study offers yet another wake-up call for religious institutions. First, catering to older believers is a recipe for failure; younger Americans are tuning out. Second, Americans are interested in God, but they don’t think existing institutions are helping them draw closer to God. Finally, Americans’ interest in religion has not always been stable. It dipped following the Revolution and again following Civil War. In both cases it rebounded because religious institutions adapted and found new ways of relating to everyday Americans. Today, the rise of disaffection is so powerful that different denominations needs to band together to find a shared language of God that can move beyond the fading divisions of the past and begin moving toward a partnership of different-but-equal traditions. Or risk becoming Europe, where religion is fast becoming an afterthought. How To Do The Perfect Bench Press Rep Bodybuilding and Lifting Weights, the Difference ironmagazine-frapper

10-08-2009, 06:56 PM	#2
maniclion Cartographer of the Mind Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mens Incognita Posts: 20,437 Photos: 10	I have a faithless spirituality, thats all I need to get through life.....I don't need fairy tales to feel a deeper connection with the universe. "We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Natures inexhaustible sources of energy — sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that." Thomas Edison: In conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone

10-08-2009, 08:25 PM	#3
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 8,787 Photos: 3	I wonder if this was predicted from the Myan (sp?) calendar. 6' 209lbs (8/16) Bench 365 (12/3) Weighted Pullups 80lbs 3x3 (3/19) Squat 370 Deadlift after herniation 385lbs 3x3 (3/17) NASM certified 2/06 Journal

10-09-2009, 09:15 AM	#6
IronAddict YOU ME WE Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In my skin Posts: 2,801	With all the wars, lying, stealing, cheating, back stabbing, greed, killing and a whole bunch of other sins. I'd say that shark has been jumped along time ago! The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

10-09-2009, 10:21 AM	#7
ROID Cracker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: sweet home alabama Posts: 734	it's about time people started to think for themselves. The only good thing that came out of religion for me was when that old man showed me the ways of the world when I was just a wee lad. " A cookie without sugar is just a cracker" ~ ancient voodoo proverb "A man with infinite patience is never left waiting."~ROID's past incarnation

10-08-2009, 08:56 PM	#5
Double D Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,459 Photos: 1	Is there any wonder why this country is going to hell?

10-09-2009, 12:28 PM	#8
KelJu Thats Dr. Keke to you! Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In my imagination. Posts: 10,160 Photos: 2	Fucking good! I yearn to live in a country that doesn't legislate morality based fictional stories in a book passed down from society to society. Worse comes to worst, I will die in the Apocalypse. I'll either get to high-five Satan for providing the fun stuff that I enjoyed during my life, or kick God in the balls for creating me without my permission.

10-09-2009, 12:39 PM	#9
NeilPearson Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,518	"Where Have All the Christians Gone?" --- We've been feeding them to the lions

10-09-2009, 06:53 PM	#12
Little Wing Mommmmmm, turn it down!!! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 23,758 Photos: 191	the last 3 digits in my new phone number are 666. "MUSCLE IS TRULY GUARANTEED IF YOU WILL HONESTLY work out to BE YOUR VERY BEST - GO FOR IT!!! BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!!!! Take Care, John H."

10-09-2009, 06:54 PM	#13
Little Wing Mommmmmm, turn it down!!! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 23,758 Photos: 191	srsly "MUSCLE IS TRULY GUARANTEED IF YOU WILL HONESTLY work out to BE YOUR VERY BEST - GO FOR IT!!! BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!!!! Take Care, John H."

10-09-2009, 11:15 PM	#14
Kevsworld Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 93	I'm a Christian. I believe part of our problem has been a failure to meaningfully connect with the modern culture. Just my two cents. Kevin StrongandFit.net

10-10-2009, 04:04 AM	#16
Little Wing Mommmmmm, turn it down!!! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 23,758 Photos: 191	Time Magazine, April 8, 1966: Is God Dead? This cover has been called the most controversial of all time. The related article concerned the “death of god movement” that had sprung up in the 1960’s. The cover and article enraged readers. "MUSCLE IS TRULY GUARANTEED IF YOU WILL HONESTLY work out to BE YOUR VERY BEST - GO FOR IT!!! BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!!!! Take Care, John H."

10-10-2009, 01:31 PM	#25
Little Wing Mommmmmm, turn it down!!! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 23,758 Photos: 191	if someone had my son and the only way to find him was to torture the guy. who in fuck's sake wouldn't do it? id stick pins in the guys eyes, slit his nutsack and dangle his balls out... myself. you can aspire to live by the values of christ but unfuckingfortunately we have to do it in a world full of shitheads. they are here and we need to deal with them. when the right thing is at stake torture away. "MUSCLE IS TRULY GUARANTEED IF YOU WILL HONESTLY work out to BE YOUR VERY BEST - GO FOR IT!!! BECAUSE YOU CAN!!!!!! Take Care, John H."

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