Don't be fooled

[kroz]

Do not buy into the media hype about Christianity in America.  Christians are actually growing stronger... emboldened by persecution.  Sometimes it takes persecution before we begin to appreciate our role as light in a dark world.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/11/06/americans-less-religious-dont-be-fooled-believers-are-holding-steady.html?cmpid=NL_opinion

[walkstall]

Do not buy into the media hype about Christianity in America.  Christians are actually growing stronger... emboldened by persecution.  Sometimes it takes persecution before we begin to appreciate our role as light in a dark world.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/11/06/americans-less-religious-dont-be-fooled-believers-are-holding-steady.html?cmpid=NL_opinion

Well now Christianity may be declining inside the D C beltway and all the news rooms.   Almost every Mexican I see is wearing a cross of some kind and that's who most of the illegal are.  How can there be a decline?   

[kroz]

Well now Christianity may be declining inside the D C beltway and all the news rooms.   Almost every Mexican I see is wearing a cross of some kind and that's who most of the illegal are.  How can there be a decline?   

We hate to be persecuted but sometimes it can produce positive things.  It certainly helps weed the chaff from the wheat.  If we lose our charitable contribution exemption it will remove much chaff from among us.  However, no one really likes to lose the exemption since good churches do so much social work in the local communities.

[red_dirt]

Interesting topic to some, Kroz. Thanks for posting it. I had noticed an uptick in the number of and variety of  posted articles on line making the case that religion was becoming a thing of the past for Americans.  One even predicted a non-Catholic Ireland, in citing low participation in Catholic services in general. 
i have two takes on it. One, the main stream media, which has been in the front of
"movements" to stamp out religion, has always been quick to claim victory in any snd all leftist agendas it has taken part in prosecuting. For example, it  would not surprise me at all to read that guy marriage was the end of that ol' bugaboo, Judeo Christian morality.  The sentiment is certainly there, in force.
Second, there can be no question that traditional denominations are in decline. I've made the point before that this is no accident.  Those events do not necessarily translate into broad generalizations, but they do illustrate that adults still see as far as their own little worlds and denominations, no further.
( The left didn't really have to knock down the soft ol' boys at the top. It simply infiltrated the positions and eroded the sand beneath their feet. The method of operation of the Democrats has long been to covet built up Protestant wealth and recruit the legions to vote that wealth into its own pockets. )
I'm not sure how the numbers are arrived at, but I don't believe them. There are thousands of young worshipping Hillsong style, listening to light praise radio.
Are they even numbered? I doubt it.

[kroz]

Interesting topic to some, Kroz. Thanks for posting it. I had noticed an uptick in the number of and variety of  posted articles on line making the case that religion was becoming a thing of the past for Americans.  One even predicted a non-Catholic Ireland, in citing low participation in Catholic services in general. 
i have two takes on it. One, the main stream media, which has been in the front of
"movements" to stamp out religion, has always been quick to claim victory in any snd all leftist agendas it has taken part in prosecuting. For example, it  would not surprise me at all to read that guy marriage was the end of that ol' bugaboo, Judeo Christian morality.  The sentiment is certainly there, in force.
Second, there can be no question that traditional denominations are in decline. I've made the point before that this is no accident.  Those events do not necessarily translate into broad generalizations, but they do illustrate that adults still see as far as their own little worlds and denominations, no further.
( The left didn't really have to knock down the soft ol' boys at the top. It simply infiltrated the positions and eroded the sand beneath their feet. The method of operation of the Democrats has long been to covet built up Protestant wealth and recruit the legions to vote that wealth into its own pockets. )
I'm not sure how the numbers are arrived at, but I don't believe them. There are thousands of young worshipping Hillsong style, listening to light praise radio.
Are they even numbered? I doubt it.

Thanks for the post.  I think you are right.  We have undergone significant changes over the years but we are still people of strong faith and commitment.

[red_dirt]

The latest statement I read said Americans claiming religious affiliation fell over the years of 2007 to 2015 from 51% to around 30%.  If there is any truth to that, it can only be attributed to the Obama administration.  Young people entering the workforce or trying to get along in business who may at one time answered in the affirmative might be tempted to answer in the negative just to avoid either controversy or repercussions if they felt national leadership, which controls most of the economy, was working hard against Christians.  Obama would fit that category, so would Kerry, both Clintons, and much of the bureaucracy, which does the hiring.

As the Angel of Death passes low, all we can do is put the blood on the door, close and lock it, and trust that this, too, will pass.

[kroz]

The latest statement I read said Americans claiming religious affiliation fell over the years of 2007 to 2015 from 51% to around 30%.  If there is any truth to that, it can only be attributed to the Obama administration.  Young people entering the workforce or trying to get along in business who may at one time answered in the affirmative might be tempted to answer in the negative just to avoid either controversy or repercussions if they felt national leadership, which controls most of the economy, was working hard against Christians.  Obama would fit that category, so would Kerry, both Clintons, and much of the bureaucracy, which does the hiring.

As the Angel of Death passes low, all we can do is put the blood on the door, close and lock it, and trust that this, too, will pass.

Good analogy, red_dirt.

In the end it is only the blood of Christ that can save us.  May His grace be upon us during these troubling times.

Scripture says there will be a great falling away during the last days.  And I know that in some areas that seems to be happening.  However, in other areas there is a new awakening among young people.  I read about it from time to time. 

But then, there are many "so called" Christians like the folks you mention and when they leave the "flock" there is no real loss.  So when the polls show the religious drop from 51% to 30% it is likely just the chaff being sifted from the wheat.

[supsalemgr]

Good analogy, red_dirt.

In the end it is only the blood of Christ that can save us.  May His grace be upon us during these troubling times.

Scripture says there will be a great falling away during the last days.  And I know that in some areas that seems to be happening.  However, in other areas there is a new awakening among young people.  I read about it from time to time. 

But then, there are many "so called" Christians like the folks you mention and when they leave the "flock" there is no real loss.  So when the polls show the religious drop from 51% to 30% it is likely just the chaff being sifted from the wheat.

The question I have is this more about church attendance or belief. I doubt the 21% drop in belief. I am one of those who grew up in the church, but do not attend now. However, I keep a bible beside my bed and pray on a daily basis as a Christian. I enjoy some of the Christian TV programming, especially the Billy Graham classics. Also, the Catholic church has done a wonderful job of evangelism in South America and Africa so many are coming into the fold. However, the media chooses to dwell upon the negative.

[BPman]

The question I have is this more about church attendance or belief. I doubt the 21% drop in belief. I am one of those who grew up in the church, but do not attend now. However, I keep a bible beside my bed and pray on a daily basis as a Christian. I enjoy some of the Christian TV programming, especially the Billy Graham classics. Also, the Catholic church has done a wonderful job of evangelism in South America and Africa so many are coming into the fold. However, the media chooses to dwell upon the negative.

I believe it. Apart from Evangelical fanatics, visit any church on a given Sunday & the overwhelming majority are elderly. It's just the sign of the times. Same goes for Masons, Kiwanis, Elks, etc. People today are too busy, or too self absorbed, to participate. As well, look at the people on the Internet every single night.............on forums. 

[red_dirt]

Good analogy, red_dirt.
In the end it is only the blood of Christ that can save us.  May His grace be upon us during these troubling times.

It is an analogy, isn't it, Obama, the Angel of Death, who took the first born son. In a similar way, the communists want the children, the youth.

[red_dirt]

I believe it. Apart from Evangelical fanatics, visit any church on a given Sunday.....

Interesting near subliminal use of the derogatory "fanatics" paired with "Evangelicals" in order  to produce a negative impression of those who have left, fed up with the hypocrisy. It is actually a version of techniques of peer pressure and political correctness, which we caution the youth about all the time.  In Stalinist Russia, a graphic would be included.

[supsalemgr]

I believe it. Apart from Evangelical fanatics, visit any church on a given Sunday & the overwhelming majority are elderly. It's just the sign of the times. Same goes for Masons, Kiwanis, Elks, etc. People today are too busy, or too self absorbed, to participate. As well, look at the people on the Internet every single night.............on forums. 

I agree. In the past people reached out to other organizations for knowledge and support, including the church. I am afraid the propaganda espoused in government schools are having a negative and folks are finding other "support" areas. Young people feel there is an answer to any question on the internet. Unfortunately, they are not wise enough to recognize the "false prophets".

[Solar]

I believe it. Apart from Evangelical fanatics, visit any church on a given Sunday & the overwhelming majority are elderly. It's just the sign of the times. Same goes for Masons, Kiwanis, Elks, etc. People today are too busy, or too self absorbed, to participate. As well, look at the people on the Internet every single night.............on forums. 

That's how it's always been, though it cycles (Pendulum), I see a return to the church at present.

[kroz]

Interesting near subliminal use of the derogatory "fanatics" paired with "Evangelicals" in order  to produce a negative impression of those who have left, fed up with the hypocrisy. It is actually a version of techniques of peer pressure and political correctness, which we caution the youth about all the time.  In Stalinist Russia, a graphic would be included.

I caught that derogatory correlation also, red_dirt.

Anyone who actually believes the Bible is the inspired word of God in it's entirety is a "fanatic".  Any "reasonable" person knows it is just a collection of parables and allegories. Right?   

Those living on the fringes of Christianity want to believe that the Bible is a "good" book with some nice suggestions on living a good life.  They apply it where they like and ignore the things they don't.  Very convenient and easy to claim an association.

Only God knows who they are.  And they are likely to fall by the wayside when the going gets rough.

[kroz]

That's how it's always been, though it cycles (Pendulum), I see a return to the church at present.

I totally agree, solar!!