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Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 09:45:33 2015

fiogf49gjkf0d
Story here

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(1288000)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 10:55:48 2015, in response to Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 09:45:33 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
And I suppose that makes you happy.

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(1288005)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:00:43 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 10:55:48 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
I don't know about him but it makes me happy.

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(1288006)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 11:01:52 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:00:43 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Why?

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(1288009)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 11:11:30 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 10:55:48 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
It figures that the decline of history's greatest persecutors of Jews would make you sad.

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(1288011)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by mtk52983 on Tue May 12 11:14:01 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 11:11:30 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
But we already know he is a SHJ from his outrage that Terrapin Station keeps kosher

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(1288015)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by AlM on Tue May 12 11:16:46 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:00:43 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
It doesn't make me happy. Are you aware that the non-confrontational denominations are dropping much faster than the evangelical Christians?



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(1288018)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:19:57 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by AlM on Tue May 12 11:16:46 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Well, if you care about the state of your religion, then that is troubling, but it's not my religion.

In a similar vein, I am troubled by the fact that an increasingly large proportion of Jews are Haredi.

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(1288019)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 11:20:28 2015, in response to Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 09:45:33 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
And what do you take out of that? And/or what do you want us to understand from the posting?

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(1288022)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by dand124 on Tue May 12 11:23:49 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:19:57 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
In a similar vein, I am troubled by the fact that an increasingly large proportion of Jews are Haredi. In a similar vein, I am troubled by the fact that an increasingly large proportion of Jews are Haredi.

My impression is the Haredi are more like the Amish than the Evangelicals(meaning they don't attempt to impose their religion on others).

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(1288024)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by AlM on Tue May 12 11:25:42 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by dand124 on Tue May 12 11:23:49 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Yes and no. There are certainly some places in Rockland and Orange Counties where the public schools are very badly funded because the majority of voters send their children to private school.



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(1288025)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:26:24 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by dand124 on Tue May 12 11:23:49 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
They do in Israel.

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(1288026)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 11:26:43 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 11:11:30 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
This is the 21st century. And the muslims and Smaz are now the enemies to the Jewish people.

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(1288029)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 11:32:13 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 11:19:57 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
[...] an increasingly large proportion of Jews are Haredi.

I read a good 10 years or more ago that as increasing numbers of Jews secularized and outmarried, many Orthodox Jews (which includes my entire family) would begin to feel pushed into reaffirmation, and that reaffirmation would lead to excessive following of ritual and rejection of secular Jews and would threaten to have Judaism end up as a cult. Do you think increasing Haredi are a manifestation of that idea?

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(1288031)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 11:34:47 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by mtk52983 on Tue May 12 11:14:01 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Terrapins are not Kosher.

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(1288032)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 11:39:07 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 11:32:13 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Do you think increasing Haredi are a manifestation of that idea?


Haredi have more kids.

In Israel they get a free ride from the State.

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(1288034)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 11:42:02 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 11:39:07 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Doesn't speak to my point at all.

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(1288091)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by orange blossom special on Tue May 12 14:47:18 2015, in response to Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 09:45:33 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
I like that the Washington Post still believes we only have one religion in this country, and there isn't any others that are rapidly growing by leaps and bounds.

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(1288094)

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Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated w/religion, says Pew

Posted by Olog-hai on Tue May 12 14:54:39 2015, in response to Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 09:45:33 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Sure not an unbiased source there. ("Non-partisan" is not a synonym for "unbiased".)

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(1288095)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated w/religion, says Pew

Posted by AlM on Tue May 12 15:02:36 2015, in response to Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated w/religion, says Pew, posted by Olog-hai on Tue May 12 14:54:39 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
So what is the bias?

Do you contend that Christian affiliations are not decreasing, or is it just the headline you don't like? I would tend to think the headline overstates the content of the article.




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(1288096)

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A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 15:03:23 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by orange blossom special on Tue May 12 14:47:18 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
An interesting point is that ALL the Christian denominations are becoming more non-white, except the "historically black denominations" like AME, which were 98% non-white before and still are. Even the Mormons are a little less "white," although only slightly so.

Should give liberals pause who are certain that changing demographics will ensure swelling liberal ranks.

And while the overall percentage of Christians is declining, it's interesting to parse the 22.8% of respondents who are listed as "unaffiliated." Only 7% of all respondents actually consider themselves atheists or agnostics*; And almost the same percentage (6.9%) feel that religion is IMPORTANT in their lives, even though they don't wish to follow a particular religion.

*An agnostic is an atheist who think agnostic sounds better.

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(1288097)

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 15:04:46 2015, in response to A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 15:03:23 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
An agnostic is an atheist who think agnostic sounds better.

IAWTP

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(1288141)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by Mitch45 on Tue May 12 18:53:15 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 10:55:48 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
It doesn't make me happy. Lack of religious affiliation leaves a void than could be filled by militant Islam.



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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 19:30:15 2015, in response to A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 15:03:23 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Should give liberals pause who are certain that changing demographics will ensure swelling liberal ranks.

It should give conservatives pause that their churches will become more liberal.


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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 19:44:10 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by Mitch45 on Tue May 12 18:53:15 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Lack of religious affiliation leaves a void than could be filled by militant Islam.

Widespread lack of religious affiliation creates a far-reaching distaste for any fundamentalist religion.

Atheists, agnostics and secularists are a much more effective counterweight to militant Islam than fanatical Christians.

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(1288156)

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 20:44:53 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 19:30:15 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
You think the rising churches, such as Pentacostalism, are politically or socially liberal?

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by Fred G on Tue May 12 20:50:58 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 20:44:53 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Pentacostalism isn't mainstream. Roman Catholics and more mainstream Protestants are more socially liberal, depending on the issue. On abortion, no, but on things like gay marriage and immigration, yes.

your pal,
Fred

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(1288163)

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 21:01:52 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by Fred G on Tue May 12 20:50:58 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
It's been illustrated (by Skeptical Inquirer IIRC) that established churches tend to liberalize (though the Catholic Church seems at war with itself at times) while the more socially conservative people tend to move to newer churches and movements.

On the whole, the churchgoing population of the U.S. remains socially stable over time; only the churches they follow change.


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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 21:03:31 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 20:44:53 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Generally speaking, they don't really fall into any particular political philosophy.
Their politics, whenever there are any, tend to align with those of the congregants.

Most Pentecostal churches are a scam anyway, with "reverends" lacking in any real theological education or scholarship.

Pentecostalism is the ultimate Opiate of the Masses.

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by Fred G on Tue May 12 21:49:42 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Tue May 12 21:01:52 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
You think Catholics will move to something like Southern Baptist over something like gay marriage? I really don't.

your pal,
Fred

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by Fred G on Tue May 12 21:51:54 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 19:44:10 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
A nearly fully employed secular society is the best bulwark against militant Islam.

your pal,
Fred

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by Spider-Pig on Tue May 12 22:28:57 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by Mitch45 on Tue May 12 18:53:15 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
No, it doesn't. Christians and Muslims are more alike to each other than to atheists. An atheist is far less likely to convert to a religion than a member of a religion is to convert to another.

The absence of faith leaves no void. Because faith is unnecessary.

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 22:59:40 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 10:55:48 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
I'm just sharing the article.

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(1288198)

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Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion

Posted by chicagomotorman on Tue May 12 23:01:14 2015, in response to Re: Christianity faces sharp decline as Americans are becoming even less affiliated with religion, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue May 12 22:59:40 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
How touching.

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(1288228)

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SLRT on Wed May 13 09:12:26 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by Fred G on Tue May 12 21:49:42 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Pentacostalism, among other movements. And not over gay marriage.

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(1288229)

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by SLRT on Wed May 13 09:15:14 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SMAZ on Tue May 12 21:03:31 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Religion in general is an opiate of the masses. But then, so is almost any rote philosophy (including ideological communism) that demands faith.

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(1288250)

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed May 13 11:57:34 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Wed May 13 09:15:14 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Every single philosophy demands faith, even if at least in order to embrace the initial premise of the philosophy in order for logical development of said philosophy to begin. One must suspend disbelief in order for that root premise to be accepted. There are many philosophies that are taken for granted by people but are very much illogical as they do not proceed from any root worth believing in. Rationalism is one, though there are many others, including fideism.

I know, who would have thought that rationalism was illogical, right?

More mature religious believers who are not fideists and are open to philosophical reasoning believe that their particular religious faith is the most logical approach, even more logical than secularism and related philosophies.

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Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline)

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed May 13 13:53:01 2015, in response to Re: A little on the numbers (Re: Christianity faces sharp decline), posted by SLRT on Wed May 13 09:15:14 2015.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Religion in general is an opiate of the masses

Since Marx said that, it is not true. Now anti-religion sentiment is certainly opium-like.

"My object in life is to dethrone God and to destroy capitalism." — Marx

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