Christianity decreasing

Discussion about scientific issues as they relate to God and Christianity including archaeology, origins of life, the universe, intelligent design, evolution, etc.
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UsagiTsukino
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Christianity decreasing

Post by UsagiTsukino »

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/amer ... d-numbers/

What does this mean for Christians?
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RickD
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by RickD »

UsagiTsukino wrote:http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/amer ... d-numbers/

What does this mean for Christians?
What does it mean for Christians regarding what?

I'm not sure what you're asking. Could you be more specific?
John 5:24
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.


“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
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Rob
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by Rob »

UsagiTsukino wrote: What does this mean for Christians?
Not too much.
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tunde1992
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by tunde1992 »

This might be true in the west , but I doubt it's decreasing in the rest of the world
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
-matthew 6:33
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UsagiTsukino
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by UsagiTsukino »

Technically I wonder if they mean church because I know Christians who don't go to church but they are very religious. You think this is a bad thing for American? 78 % survey label themselves has Christians
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Rob
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by Rob »

There are plenty of unregenerate people that go to church. It's always been that way.
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by dfnj »

UsagiTsukino wrote:http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/amer ... d-numbers/

What does this mean for Christians?
The modern evangelical mega-churches are too much involved in politics, money, and power in my humble opinion. I think the modern church doesn't seem genuine and turns a lot of people off to God. I think if Jesus were here today I imagine he would be anti-war, pro-welfare, and pro-labor. Not exactly modern day Republican values.
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RickD
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by RickD »

dfnj wrote:
UsagiTsukino wrote:http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/amer ... d-numbers/

What does this mean for Christians?
The modern evangelical mega-churches are too much involved in politics, money, and power in my humble opinion. I think the modern church doesn't seem genuine and turns a lot of people off to God. I think if Jesus were here today I imagine he would be anti-war, pro-welfare, and pro-labor. Not exactly modern day Republican values.
I bet you think Jesus would smoke a fat doobie too! And instead of riding a donkey, he'd drive a Volkswagen van with peace signs all over it. yp**==

And don't forget he would vote for Obama too.
:pound:
John 5:24
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.


“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
-Edward R Murrow




St. Richard the Sarcastic--The Patron Saint of Irony
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Storyteller
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by Storyteller »

RickD wrote:
dfnj wrote:
UsagiTsukino wrote:http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/amer ... d-numbers/

What does this mean for Christians?
The modern evangelical mega-churches are too much involved in politics, money, and power in my humble opinion. I think the modern church doesn't seem genuine and turns a lot of people off to God. I think if Jesus were here today I imagine he would be anti-war, pro-welfare, and pro-labor. Not exactly modern day Republican values.
I bet you think Jesus would smoke a fat doobie too! And instead of riding a donkey, he'd drive a Volkswagen van with peace signs all over it. yp**==

And don't forget he would vote for Obama too.
:pound:
I wouldnt be surprised if he did :D
Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof - Kahlil Gibran
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by Storyteller »

On a serious note though, I've tried four different churches in my area and I'm sorry to say that they all made me cringe.
It isnt anything I can put my finger on, it just doesnt feel right.
Maybe its just timing? Maybe I need to settle into my faith more first?

Maybe a building isnt my church. Maybe this forum is. I dont know.

I believe. I pray. I am growing in my relationship with God and Christ. I am gathering with everyone here in His name. Isnt that `church`

A side note..... I have always absolutely loved hymns and carols. I sing them all the time.
Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof - Kahlil Gibran
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RickD
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Re: Christianity decreasing

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Storyteller wrote:On a serious note though, I've tried four different churches in my area and I'm sorry to say that they all made me cringe.
It isnt anything I can put my finger on, it just doesnt feel right.
Maybe its just timing? Maybe I need to settle into my faith more first?

Maybe a building isnt my church. Maybe this forum is. I dont know.

I believe. I pray. I am growing in my relationship with God and Christ. I am gathering with everyone here in His name. Isnt that `church`

A side note..... I have always absolutely loved hymns and carols. I sing them all the time.
Annette,

Can you think of what specifically made you cringe? It very well could be something you should be cringing over.

There have been times that I've been to a church, and something just didn't seem right. At the time, I couldn't say why. But as I look back on it, I've figured it out.

One example that stands out to me, is when I was younger, I went to a Pentecostal church in New Hampshire, that a friend at the time, invited me to. Many there were dancing around, and flopping on the floor like fish out of water. I sat there and felt something terribly wrong in my spirit.

Looking back, it seems that either they were being overly emotional, or were possessed by something other than the Holy Spirit.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that when you cringe, it may be the Holy Spirit in you, showing you something is not right. Take the cringe as possibly coming from God, and ask Him to show you.
John 5:24
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.


“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
-Edward R Murrow




St. Richard the Sarcastic--The Patron Saint of Irony
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Storyteller
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by Storyteller »

I felt pressured into being baptised (I have been baptised, btw) in one. It was too pushy, forcing belief down my throat.
One demanded we talk in tongues.
One was too 'nice' too sickly sweet if that makes sense.
And yep! I had the people falling to the floor, crying, wailing etc.

I actually adore being in empty churches.
Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof - Kahlil Gibran
abelcainsbrother
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by abelcainsbrother »

God is seperating the sheep from the goats?
Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,despising the shame,and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2nd Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,lest the light of this glorious gospel of Christ,who is the image of God,should shine unto them.
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RickD
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by RickD »

Storyteller wrote:I felt pressured into being baptised (I have been baptised, btw) in one. It was too pushy, forcing belief down my throat.
One demanded we talk in tongues.
One was too 'nice' too sickly sweet if that makes sense.
And yep! I had the people falling to the floor, crying, wailing etc.

I actually adore being in empty churches.
Annette,

Those are all things that would make me cringe too.

Forcing baptism, or forcing anything, is wrong.

Demanding that tongues is a sign of a believer, is wrong.

And sickly sweet, fake smile, fake Christians, make me want to puke. If we can't be ourselves in front of other believers, where can we be ourselves?

Annette,

My educated guess is that your cringing, is your knowing in your spirit, that something was wrong.
John 5:24
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.


“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”
-Edward R Murrow




St. Richard the Sarcastic--The Patron Saint of Irony
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Kurieuo
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Re: Christianity decreasing

Post by Kurieuo »

UsagiTsukino wrote:http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/amer ... d-numbers/

What does this mean for Christians?
Ever heard that quantity doesn't mean quality?

As far as Christianity is concerned, if true, perhaps it means there will be more refined and higher quality Christians in the world.
"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)
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