1:5 / 1:3

One out of three Americans don't know what "religious" means.

 

Was any such research done 20, 30, 40,.... years ago? How much difference, if any significant at all, was found?

One thing being on Facebook has shown me is that quite a few old acquaintances who, to my knowledge, had no religiousity about them at all years ago, show quite a bit now. That does not necessarily mean anything-- in either case, it's only my limited observations. But there is a biblical principle about raising a child up as he should go and he will return. Being religious, in any sense, is seen to get in the way of what young people want (and want it more than old fogeys, as most of us know), so they discard it. But maybe just for a time. Then the prodigal son/daughter comes back.

 

There is a huge problem with secularization in millennials. We are watching the first wave of a truly post-Christian generation wash over this nation. The Church must begin operating like we live in a missionary culture if it hopes to survive and do well by the end of this century.

This data is very troubling.

 

If those stats are correct...

I'd say 1 in 5 Americans and 1 in 3 young adults are headed to hell. Who knows how much time they have?

 

The term religious has gotten a bad reputation over the past several decades. It has come to mean a person who sits in a pew and does nothing for the Lord, or a person that follows various rules by their own power. In general, it has come to mean a person who only worships the Lord in a false or superficial manner.

Here is the definition
re·li·gion   /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Show Spelled[ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA
noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

The word was never meant to be a substitute for Christian. It has evolved to have some negative meaning of a lax attitude towards the Lord. Christianity is a more defined term than religion. That does not make the term evil. As Christians, our day to day life is a close walk with the Lord, not a set of things to do or not do.

The poll question was not well worded. Carpro had an interesting point of the percentage of Americans going to heaven, compared to those who are religious, a much broader catagory. Of course, that is a matter of opinion. If one considers the diversity of our country, and also considers the numbers not attending any church, plus those in church who do not really believe, I doubt the percentage is very high, What we are asking is the percentage that have a true relationship and faith in Jesus Christ. There are saved in every Christian faith, and lost on every church roll, including Baptist. On our best day, only half of the members show up. My guess is under ten percent. I think one person said in a related thread on Mormons, that we might be surprised who we see in heaven.

 

I find it interesting that no one has addressed the issue of why people are leaving Christian churches. There is criticisms of people, there is a bit of philosophical reasoning. But no one has say why people are leaving. So, let me get it started:

1. People see many Christians stuck in 19th century thinking and this is a bit turn-off as the issues of today are not addressed rationally, or what seem to be rational to many in our society.

2. They hear of pastors of mega-churches caught in adulterous and homosexual affairs. Thus the belief of many that Christians are simply hypocrites is enforced.

3. The mess with Catholic priests, and yes of pastors of protestant and independent churches caught as pedophiles drive others away.

4. Hearing politicians make statements such as Akin's statement on rape and Fuqua's statement on killing children only enforces the belief of many that Christians are crazy and to be avoided.

5. They see the hypocritical of being anti-abortion but pro the death penality ... and Fuqua's statement enforces this.

6. They see Christians call for war but renounce peace making.

7. They see the ignorance of condemning a whole field of medical science because they do not like how it has been used philosophically in one area.

8. They see narrowness, mean spirited people, caught in the past people and that turns them off to church and Christ.

The list could be much longer.

It will be interested to see the narrow and mean spirited, personal attack replies to this post.

It would be so nice to have a rational discussion. <Sigh> I have been on this board to expect that except from a few folk who I appreciate their being here very much.

 

Crabby, that's a good list and I agree there is much sin and hypocrisy in the church. Those reasons do contribute to people NOT wanting to be Christian, but I believe there is a much deeper TRUE reason. The list you gave are just excuses, or "symptoms" if you will, of a deeper disease--the disease of pride.

We all are given a choice to serve God or not. It all boils down to whether or not we choose Christ as our Master. The world seems to have much to offer for SELF and pride. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is rampant, and the path to destruction is wide.

 

ABC, thanks for a good answer. So, how do we address the symptoms to get to the disease?

I have a friend who moved from the East Coast to the Northwest many years ago. He said he has never been able to find a church to attend and join. The reason is as follows; he said on the East Coast he was considered a moderate Republican and that is what he considered himself. However when he arrived in the small city in Idaho he found he was considered a flaming Communist. Though he attended quite a number of churches he never found one that was willing to:

1. Discuss issues calmly without judgmental name calling.
2. Never found one where people were friendly.
3. Never found one where the pastor would approach subjects with any tolerance or moderation.

In other words, he said he never found a church that he considered to be Christian in attitude and in its world outlook.

Thus, though he is a believer he attends no church.

Now, that type of attitude drives many away and also, let's face it, teenagers are not dumb and they see much of this same attitude and, I believe, it is driving many out of the church and out of their belief.

It is tragic. I wish I knew an easy answer, but there is not one. To change I such that people will start returning to church there will have to be some painful soul searching and painful change on the part of many Christians.

By the way, in a NY Times piece it is stated that it is not just mainline churches that are having this problem, but also evangelical and fundamentalists. I read the article this morning, but do not have the link. Maybe someone can find it.

 

This is hilarious!

 

First, we Christians need to examine our own selves and get our hearts right. This includes "cleaning house" in the church.

Second, we have really dropped the ball when it comes to praying for the lost. Too many churches have turned "prayer meeting" into "preaching service" and "Sweet Hour of Prayer" into "Quick 5-Minutes of Prayer." Instead of family prayer time, we have family TV time and family sports time. We have time to work, play, shop, talk on cell phones, and surf the internet, but "no time" to pray.

A lost person can go to the most perfect church in the world and still make excuses. This is where prayer comes in, prayer for the Holy Spirit to convict the person and save him. Prayer is the key to revival.

 

The church is already secular, with a covering.
The church today in America does nothing but judge, so why bother. If my body is sick, go to the doctor.
If my mind is sick, go to the psychologist.
The churches have pointed people that direction.
The mainstream church in America has nothing to offer.
Why were people drawn to the ministry of Jesus? Healing body and soul
The church cannot do it, will not believe it.

 

I think our country was founded to be a secular nation, by men who were sick and tired of Europe.