Faith

Is America’s Religious Health on the Decline?

Study Finds Americas Religious Health May Be on DeclineConsidering charges of increased secularism, it’s appropriate to ask: Is religion slowly dying in America?

As time goes on, research continues to trickle out surrounding how faith is faring in contemporary society. Now, a new study seems to indicate that the nation’s religious health is on the decline.

On Saturday, the Hartford Institute for Religion Research released a report entitled, “A Decade of Change in American Congregations.” In total, 11,077 Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations (120 denominations) were included in the research.

The study, which was written by David A. Roozen and which covers the past decade, found that, from 2000 until 2010, there were steep drops in both financial health and attendance at weekly church services.

When it comes to finances, 30 percent of survey participants claimed that their churches were in excellent fiscal health in 2000. But this proportion dropped to 14 percent in 2010. One bright side, though, was that 10 percent of the congregations represented in the study reported that their economic situation had begun to turn around at the time of the survey.

There were also fewer people attending churches (another potential cause of revenue decline). Interestingly, this pattern occurred across denominations. According to Roozen:

“Overall, median weekend worship attendance of your typical congregation dropped from 130 to 108 during the decade, according to the FACT surveys.”

Study Finds Americas Religious Health May Be on Decline

While these findings were certainly negative in nature, it is intriguing to note that congregations have increasingly been adopting more innovative worship and new media technologies to spread their messages. In fact, 41 percent of congregations that were surveyed reported using Facebook to reach out to their communities. The use of technology and innovation yielded positive results for houses of worships. CNN has more:

In the measured decade, churches, temples and synagogues told surveyors that congregations that were innovative and contemporary showed the highest amount of “high spiritual vitality.”

Forty-seven percent of congregations that said their worship experience was “innovative and contemporary” reported high spiritual vitality, versus 17% that said their congregations were “neither innovative nor contemporary.”

This data comes after a previous study by the American Sociological Association, which indicates that working-class Americans are abandoning church faster than their more educated counterparts.

Research on faith and religion in America continues to offer an intriguing look into emerging patterns, while assisting in the sociological understanding of the impact religion has on peoples’ everyday lives.

(h/t CNN)

Comments (176)

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  • NYHuguenot
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:11pm

    I don’t need Power Point Demos. I don’t need 7-11 music. I need a church that can be any kind of building. People who study their bibles. Pastors who know how to interpret the text without all the anecdotes about the latest Hollywood movie. I don’t care how many baptisms were done last year and this year. I am tired of all the Church Growth schemes. God provides the growth, make sure there is a place for His people to worship Him and grow. I don’t need husband and wife pastor teams. I guess you get the idea.

    Report Post »  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:24am

      I agree–I also believe it time for “the Lord” to command His prophet (some yet unnamed Modern day Ezekiel) to prophesy over the very dry bones of the American church.-see Ezekiel 37:)

      Report Post »  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:07pm

    Gods be praised! Not in my family :)

    Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:02pm

    Every modern social concern is addressed in the Holy Bible. Catholics and Socialist attempts to avoid righteous discussions.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • saranda
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 9:12am

      That is a pretty good example of why many Americans stay away from churches. The whole my faith is right and yours is wrong and probably evil mentality. Pathetic but typical of way too many American christians.

      Report Post »  
    • lucktsm
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:43pm

      I am Catholic and I read the bible regularly.

      Report Post »  
  • gammo
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:52pm

    Whatch the vidio on utube CULTURAL MARXISM with Pat Buchanon and you will see why the church is going down and USA is going down ,,,its all been planed and being pushed by both sides of the Govt RIGHT AND LEFT but the Progressives are excelerating it ,putting foot on the gas peddle .. learn about CULTURAL MARXISM AND CRITICAL THERORY AND You WILL FIGURE THE LEFT OUT but dont forget THE RIGHT is playing its part 2 WHAT DID WE GET FROM THE VIEATNAM WAR ? CRITICAL: THERORY AND CULTURAL MARXISM PUSHED ONTO THE BIGGEST GENERATION THE BABBY BOOMMERS THAT USA HAS EVER EVER SEEN . THINK ITS A MISTAKE ? I DONT.. ITS MENT TO RIPP A COUNTRY APART FROM INSIDE OUT . TO TURN it Into a COMMUNIST,contry CHECK iT OUT… READ ABOUT IT ,,,,. IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND .. ITS WHY ALL WHITES ARE CALLED RACIST AND WHY THE CHURCH is falling AND WHY WE ARE GOING TO BE A COMMINIST CONTRY .. ThERE IS MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT THIS BUT NOBODDY EVER READS . ITS A ATTACK ON THE COUNTY FROM THE INSIDE…. THEY NEW WE COULD NEVER BE beat FROM AN OUT SIDE FORCE SO THEY DID IT FROM WITH IN …..CULTURAL MARXISM ..CRITICAL THERORY AND FRANKFURT SCHOOL LAW CHECK IT OUT AND ASK THE CHURCH WHAT THEY THINK …. AND TELL EVERYBODDY AND MAYBE WE WILL GET OUR COUNTRY BACK . DONT FORGET Watch THE VIDIO PLEASE AND THEN READ about it

    Report Post »  
    • SovereignSoul
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:04pm

      Perhaps lack of spelling skill is what’s bringing this country down.

      “Take care that you never spell a word wrong. Always before you write a word, consider how it is spelled, and, if you do not remember, turn to a dictionary. It produces great praise to a lady or a gentleman to spell well.
      – Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post » SovereignSoul  
    • Mimi24
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:47pm

      @sovereinsoul. I doubt very much that spelling words incorrectly will be what will bring this country down and I believe that you knew very well what Gammo was trying to say. We never make ourselves look big while trying to make another look small. Consider this please, some people had to actually go to work to provide real food and shelter for family members. That probably left little time for formal education. It doesn‘t mean they aren’t smart or that they should have no opinion or the option to express same.

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    • Steve
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:11am

      The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God

      The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

      I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament

      The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effective means of limiting Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools.

      [H]e is the best friend to American liberty who is the most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy to his country

      Report Post »  
  • AB5r
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:44pm

    If America had maintained historic Christian and Jewish religious health we would have enough citizens who know that Islam is pure evil and 100% incompatible with the Constitution, Democracy, and our freedoms, way of life, government. First Christianity died out enough, and liberal media browbeat people with political correctness, so that the remnants of Christianity in the West are unable to speak out about the true nature of Islam, this is also due to their own ignorance and having been brainwashing into Multiculturalism and Tolerance, the true religion of our age. So at this point all that remains is for the West to continue to allow the spread of Islam until which point there are enough Muslims in the West and they will institute sharia law and eliminate our so-called freedoms and man-made law.

    Report Post » AB5r  
  • Steev
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:41pm

    I’m guessing that the SMALLEST rate of decline has occurred within the last couple of years and i would also guess that the NON DENOMINATIONAL churches have picked up in membership and attendance, I think as a people we are starting to become more spiritual believing that GOD and JESUS are what’s important – not religions and fancy dancy churches.

    Report Post » Steev  
    • tmead
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 6:21am

      The non-denominational church I attend, has grown at 30% per year for many years. We are very active in the local community and the world. Our church is incredibly spiritually alive and nourishing. We teach the Bible and follow Jesus . My church just finished drilling wells in every village in the Central African Republic, built a Hospital in Haiti to serve 500,000 people, supports people in the congregation without employment and take care of members without health insurance in need of medical treatment. We always seem to collect more in donations than we budget for. I think people can find alive churches if they look.

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    • Locked
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:06am

      I’d agree. The local Catholic, Baptist, and Episcopal churches in my area have all shown declines; at the same time, a new non-denominational church started up a few years back. Within the last decade they went from a small group of around 10-20 worshipers, to having a temporary place in a former supermarket that closed down, to just opening a brand-new church and having an active weekend congregation of over 2000 people (!!!).

      As in the article, they are incredibly innovative; the songs are new and upbeat, the sound system is amazing, there are broadcasts of each service. And they don’t ascribe to labels; they focus on the promise of salvation and Jesus and God; they don’t talk much about Hell or damnation, but rather how to improve your life here on earth and how to build a relationship with Jesus that will lead to eternal life. The message is one of hope, not judgment or punishment; and it resonates with people.

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  • vennoye
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:38pm

    Think that a lot of people may be reading their Bible now, that have just gone to church and accepted whatever the preacher told them in his sermons. Lot of things in organized religious systems do not match up with the Bible. So people must choose to either discard what the Bible says, or decide that their religious system has some things wrong. Think a lot of people are choosing the Bible and getting involved in small Bible study groups instead of the organized religious systems.

    Report Post » vennoye  
    • A1955Rosie
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:56pm

      I agree. The church my child goes to is dead. Old people except on special occasions. Course it helps if they wouldn’t pander to the unmentionable people…illegal immigrants. Even their school closed.
      Myself, you might say I’m a “blood bought, born-again, Spirit-filled (and speaking in the Spirit) Word-talking, water-walking, daughter of El Elyon”
      So suffice to say it‘s not dead but it’s not found perhaps in the churches, He’s in our hearts and speaks to us directly.

      Report Post » A1955Rosie  
  • Disallusioned
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:38pm

    Please do not confuse moral decay with religious health. I seem to be involved in more bible related discussions lately than in most of my life. What I feel has happened is that the Christians have stood back and the American people have allowed our elected representatives to affirm these agenda driven activist federal judges. We have allowed them to remove School Prayer, they removed the Ten Commandments from our public areas, made it legal to kill babies, next it will be illegal to go to church.
    What we are seeing is the resultant evil from their less than prudent decisions.

    When Moses walked down off that mountain with those two Tablets with the Ten Commandments chiseled in them, He brought down absolute truths, but the left feels like it cramps their style. Take for instance Thou Shall not Steal. God established property rights with this one. What a man grew was his, what a man built was his and what a man earned was his. This commandment really bothers the left, they do not think taxation is stealing. So lets do everything we can to kill the true message.

    God please forgive us for allowing this evil to take over the country you have so blessed.

    Report Post »  
    • Mimi24
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:02pm

      You are entirely correct. When the things that you mentioned in your comment happened, I was too young to know what was happening. I’m not too young to know now and they will pry what is left of our freedom from my cold, dead and gun holding hand. And yes, I will still be clinging to my Bible too, but not bitterly. Makes me wonder why previous generations didn’t stand up and fight against this mess though.

      Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:08am

      “This commandment really bothers the left, they do not think taxation is stealing”

      Oddly, neither does Jesus (give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar). What faith do you ascribe to?

      Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:28am

      Consider also the commandment that says “thou shalt not covet…“ The whole premise of pitting the ”haves“ against the ”have-nots” which is the basis of communist agitation is nothing more than greed dressed up in Marxist philosophy. Once again the accusers are guilty of their own charges. One has to wonder who is the more stupid: the devil for thinking he can out-manuever God or the dummies that fall for ol‘ splitfoot’s lies. The Church, believing the word of God is the only force left on earth that can (and ultimately will) defeat the enemy and his myriad “isms”. When the Church wakes up and realizes that it has the very power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead to use against the darkness it truly will be a miraculous day!

      Report Post »  
    • pilgrimhere
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:17am

      I have found some clarity here: http://futurehistory.yadayahweh.com/Future_History_Foreword.Prophecy
      … for what it’s worth.

      Report Post » pilgrimhere  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:38am

      @Pilgrim
      From your link:
      “Almost no one realizes that God has told us precisely–to the day–when He would begin His Millennial reign, when the Antichrist would take over the earth, when the Great Tribulation would begin, and a plethora of similar Last Days milestones.”

      I’d more closely follow the idea of “beware of false prophets” than that site. But thank you anyway, I’ll try and look at it deeper when I have time.

      Report Post »  
  • BufordTJustice
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:36pm

    Nothing new in this story for a true Christian. Anyone with real faith knows that America is in decline because Christianity in America is in decline. Another sign of the end times and it won’t be fun for those with not faith. Better get it while you can!

    Report Post »  
  • macpappy
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:24pm

    This is a sad event in American history, as we have always been guided by our religious beliefs. When this country was settled, we were looking for a place to practice free religion, and still be free from state sponsored religion. The American spirit backed up by his conviction in a higher hand has been what, in my opinion, has made us a great nation.

    Report Post » macpappy  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:06am

      “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”

      ~ George Washington

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • Tim Law
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:23pm

    I can see in my own area and those around us that many people do seem to be leaving secular church’s and looking more to the non – secular church’s. The Lord is calling and people are picking up their bible‘s and reading the truth in the word of GOD from his Prophet’s and the word of our LORD JESUS from his Apostles. People can see and feel that many of the secular church’s have moved away from the true teachings of the bible. People are finding church‘s that still give sermon’s based from the bible and on the teachings of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. I pray that more do return to their bible’s and read the word themselves. It‘s time we left the secular religion’s and returned to CHRIST. May GOD our Father and our LORD JESUS bless you one and all.

    Report Post »  
    • hillbillyinny
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:54pm

      Really agree with the need to return to God, His Word, depending on His Holy Spirit to guide. We need to “assemble together” and share, learn, discuss, grow. But as far as church, the church is the People of God, not a building of brick and mortar (or whatever!), nor is it a specific method, type of preaching, hierarchy, or “magic” formula.

      It is prayer, the reading of God’s Word, the understanding of The Word, and the guidance of His Spirit. Sharing of the Lord’s Supper “in remembrance” of Him and as a type of continuation and our presence at the table with Him on that celebration of the Passover in remembrance of the first Passover. When the children ask the four questions in a Jewish Sedar, the answer is always WE were led from Egypt, WE took unleavened bread, WE walked forty years in the desert (not “our ancesters”). The REMEMBRANCE happened to me because others choice to do it then.

      Report Post »  
  • NotPoliticallyCorrect
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:23pm

    As for me, the CEO/Rockstar model for the American church doesn’t work. The business of the American church, no matter what denomination, makes me absolutely sick. I was in the belly of the beast for a long time and have quite the stories to tell. I also have some positive stories of course, but after a while it just got overwhelming watching people implode in their hypocrisy. I walked out when I was told I wasn‘t healed because I didn’t give enough and I didn’t give rightly. I still know the Word of God backwards, forwards and inside out, it‘s a shame that heretical pastor and the leadership don’t have souls. Give up my 401K for a building project? Hell to the no. These people make Jesus weep.

    Report Post » NotPoliticallyCorrect  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:33pm

      Your Heart illuminates with the Holy Spirit, shines brighter everytime you put your foot down for Him. Great Story!

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Mimi24
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:23pm

      It‘s good that you know so much of God’s word. I’m still reading, praying and learning. Thankfully , I still can. One thing that I have learned is that we have to invite Jesus into our hearts to save us from sin for eternity. He won’t barge in or force us to accept him as our savior. No church building or organization, no matter how rich or seemingly powerful can do that. Only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection can we be saved and right with God. John 3:16

      Report Post »  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:17pm

    I think the religious debate in America is where it ought to be.

    There is no harm done in questioning these matters. In fact, it is healthy for a culture to debate/mock/express whatever it wishes on metaphysical beliefs Religion was the first and most enduring totalitarian system invented by man (that we know of.).

    However, debate, questioning and thought will lead to a less religious society.

    Which is a good thing.

    If only the “Arab Spring” could take some ques on this and start questioning/debating/mocking their societies religious traditions then things might work out better. (don’t bet on that happening)

    —————

    Free people bow to no one and no thing!

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:32pm

      Mockery…..a healthy thing???
      Tell the 200,000 in KOREAN PRISON caps that if they would ever get to the christian nation of America it will be worse then where they are at. (a non believing dictator)

      Should I now mock you…?

      Report Post »  
    • The_Doors_Of_Perception
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:42pm

      Not sure the other guy got your point but you couldn’t be more right. Evolution of thought.

      Report Post » The_Doors_Of_Perception  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:40pm

      @truth

      by all means. mock away.

      Also, North Korea could sure use some internal mocking and rebellion. Bowing to the Dear Leader and his Father isn’t working out too well there either.

      You must understand that North Korea is THE MOST “religious” state in the world.

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • Steve
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 3:21am

      MrButcher

      Obviously we must be reading different history books.

      Although we aren’t a Christian Nation our founders did in fact bow down to Jesus Christ in their letters, writings, speeches and personal lives.(aside from the diets TJ, BF ) Isn’t that how this America became free? By these men? Or am I wrong?

      And one more thing. For someone who has a mohammed head as an avatar. I would think that you would understand that Islam is more a political ideology worshipping a pagan idol spoken thru a murdering pedophile. then a religion.

      Report Post »  
    • holy ghostbuster
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 6:34am

      At least Christians finally stopped torturing and burning people at the stake for displaying their non-belief.

      Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 10:15am

      @Steve

      My avatar is the famous Danish cartoon by Kurt Westergaard that caused that little stir a few years ago. Remember that?

      As to the personal letters of the founding fathers, so what? Our country isn’t founded on their privite writings or their personal beliefs on the hereafter. Read Thomas Paine’s “Age of Reason” for another take on these matters from one of our most important revolutionaries.

      The Constitution is the law of the land. There is absolutly NO mention of Jesus to be found in it.

      If you’re reading any books that suggest otherwise (David Barton, perhaps?) then I‘d suggest you don’t read lies and instead commit the actual Constitution to memory.

      Pay close attention to Article 6 section 3,the 1st Amendment and the 14th Amendment (which made the Bill of Rights apply also to the States).

      That’s all there is to say.

      You can get back on your knees now and grovel away.

      Freedom, baby.

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 5:32pm

      Yo Mrbutcher:
      I think I’ll refrain from the mocking, but to challange I will.
      What is the “religion” of the leadership in Korea.

      Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 3:58am

      MrButcher

      You didn’t answer my point. You simply deflected the question.

      You said “Free people bow to no one and no thing!”

      I countered “Although we aren’t a Christian Nation our founders did in fact bow down to Jesus Christ in their letters, writings, speeches and personal lives.(aside from the diets TJ, BF ) Isn’t that how this America became free? By these men? Or am I wrong? ”

      Obviously you completely missed this.Although we aren’t a Christian Nation. Otherwise you wouldn’t have gone on with your little lesson on Constitutionality. (like I need it)
      Your ridiculous rant had nothing NOTHING to do not what I posed. “…our founders did in fact bow down…”

      What a silly response. Using liberal deflection tactics doesn’t make your argument stronger it simply makes you look foolish.

      And you should know by now that I’m quite aware of Kurt Westergaard and the evils of Islam.

      Report Post »  
  • joe1234
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:15pm

    the so-called mainline protestant denominations, and much of catholic ones (father pfleger) deserve to die.

    the real christians will shine brighter and brighter until the full day….

    Report Post » joe1234  
    • beckisnuts.
      Posted on September 23, 2011 at 9:19am

      You are a hateful loon joe1234.

      Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 4:03am

      beckisnuts.

      Although I’m not defending joe1234 (which is the combination of my luggage) aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black (saying anyone is a hateful loon)

      Report Post »  
  • MrMagoo
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:05pm

    I miss the old spontaneous tent revivals.When I was a kid,we’d all be in the family station wagon going from here to there at times in our lives and there were these tents set up with people professing Faith.Noisy and attention grabbing,lot of cars and people in grassy areas.My Dad would pull over,park and we’d all listen.
    There was no organized rituals or symbols.It was pure Bible reading and communality.Everybody seemed so happy and friendly.Even after my later years of Catholic religion,I never felt so close to God as I did as when I listened and watched a tent revival.A renewal.

    Report Post » MrMagoo  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:39pm

      MrMagoo

      http://www.trumpetoftruthonline.org/id63.html
      Above link has messages from Billy Kellly. Back when he was living, he traveled the nation doing tent style revivals/ his first message is very good.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • MrMagoo
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:19pm

      Thanks much RANGERP for the link.
      I don’t know if it was Billy Kelly or not,but the message was the same.Faith.It got me through alot of hard times,and still does.

      Report Post » MrMagoo  
    • Mimi24
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 11:04pm

      Well your comment took me back a few years. You know, I hated being forced to go then. Hot,bugs, etc., but I would really like to be able to go to one now. Real Bible preaching without worrying about stepping on someones delicate little toes.

      Report Post »  
    • Tim Law
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 12:38am

      Mr. Magoo Have faith and listen to our LORD, he will guide you to a church or group of fellow christian‘s that will make you feel as though you’ve come home. I have had no use for the main stream church’s for many years. I started really reading and studying my bible a couple of years ago. I really had no idea how important fellowship is in CHRIST. I ran into a old friend last May, we started talking about the LORD and faith. I told him how I felt about church’s and he asked me to go to his church him. I went Mothers day and have only missed 2 service’s. Their sermon‘s are always from verse’s from the bible. For the first time in my life I really feel our LORD with us there in that church. I look forward to Sunday’s now, I really enjoy going to this church. Our LORD is alive and well in America, Brother, ask our LORD in your prayer’s, he will help you find a place of fellowship.
      Any stat’s that these jokers throw out there are way off when it comes to Christian faith. They are blind and can not see! They are deaf and can not hear! If they have not found CHRIST how can they know anything about our faith? Bless you brother, seek and you shall find.

      Report Post »  
  • OHOH54
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:02pm

    It is time that religion doesn’t involve the size of the church you belong in, but the good you do in your community. I would rather celebrate my religion in a field, and give my money to abused women and children. Than to give it to built monster building that just cost money to maintain. There are people that deserve our help and than there are those that expect it. We have to take care of the neighbor that do deserve it

    Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:13am

      Amen! Good works won’t get you into heaven: but no true Christian lives in Christ without helping their fellow man.

      Report Post »  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:55pm

    God makes himself known to us all. Many try to ignore him. They can do so only for their lifetime.

    Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:53pm

    I’ve noticed there are two kinds of Atheists. Atheist #1 Doesn’t believe in any kind of organized religion or deity(s), but yet respects those that do and so never argues about it.

    Atheist #2, on the other hand, trashes all religions, (especially Christians) does everything in their power to mask religious phrases/items through either the courts, desecration, intimidation, or outright vandalism, and will try to “convert” others away from faith. (i.e. billboards, advertisements, fliers etc.)

    Seems to me that #2 hides behind the term “atheism” in order to mask their own religion.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • macpappy
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:17pm

      Your #1 is probably an Agnostic, we don’t believe in any “known” religion, but have an open mind about God, nature, science, and scripture. I think there could be a God, but I have not met him yet, and I am sure it is not any of the ones I have heard of yet. Or at least I am not ready to follow any of the religions that have been seeded, by the so called prophets. If there is a God, I am sure it is beyond proof.

      Report Post » macpappy  
    • Trance
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:38pm

      I’d sort of fall into Atheist #1 category. I believe there is no God, but I respect people who do. And I’m very glad our country has strong Judeo-Christian values. I share those values. But does that keep me from arguing? Nope. I enjoy the debate.

      Report Post » Trance  
    • hi
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:39pm

      Macpappy why don t you say a prayer that God reveals Himself to you.

      Report Post » hi  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:49pm

      If you truly want to find God, get on your knees and ask Him if He really exists, let Him show Himself to you and if you are sincere, if you truly want to know, He will make Himself known to you.

      Report Post »  
    • GodHatesFigs
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:50pm

      Congratulations, macrappy. Since you reject all gods you have heard of, you are actually an atheist. You should say it it loud. It is liberating. I am an atheist! The best part is you can still keep your agnostic label because they are different things.

      Report Post » GodHatesFigs  
    • GodHatesFigs
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:04pm

      Oops. I wasn’t trying to be insulting about your name. I really thought it said macrappy.

      Report Post » GodHatesFigs  
    • Mimi24
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 11:21pm

      @ Macpappy. That’s one of the best examples of Christianity that I know of. Faith in things that are unseen. If we have to see it before we believe it then it’s proof and not faith that we are seeking. You didn’t ask, so I hope you will allow me to tell you this. Faith in God, through belief in his son, Jesus Christ will bring you peace that passes all human understanding.I pray that you will find it.

      Report Post »  
    • holy ghostbuster
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 6:45am

      There’s also two kinds of Christians. Christian #1 does not wear their religion on their sleeve, keeps their beliefs private, respects other religions and non-believers. Christian #2 does everything in their power to proselytize through the courts, indoctrination of children, and will try to “convert” others away from their faith, displays Jesus fish on their cars, knocks on peoples doors handing out their propaganda, and speaks on behalf of their god damning everyone not like them to eternity in hell.

      Seems to me that #2 hides behind the term “Christian” in order to mask their own ignorance and insecurities.

      Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:41pm

    Understand this much, is religion in the US dying out? The traditional church going group may be on the way down, and yet I see the individual spirituality of those who are seeking God and wanting to make a difference through faith are actually increasing in count.

    It is a revival moving through the ultimate grass roots levels — individual, family and friends, and the communities they are in (neighbourhoods). Even in areas such as CA, where they are trying to crush the home bible studies on part of the Socialists and Progressives, the harder they squeeze the more people turn to faith and to God.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:40pm

    Socialist attempt to change history so as to make the Word of God not true, to have it mythologized, to have it not quite really true, and that will eat away your faith because no matter how much you want to try, if you are really secretly harboring unbelief it’s like a fifth column, it just wipes you out. It takes and saps your spiritual strength if you harbor unbelief and frankly, most of us harbor unbelief because of the way we were educated. We were educated in a world view since we were children that basically is unethical of the whole view of history and it takes years of your life, it takes decade after decade to get your head straight after indoctrination like this. The only way to do it isn’t reading books; it is just reading THE book, the Bible. When you read the Scriptures, you want to read them as history and really mean business, that when the Bible says something happened in such and such a reign, it really did happen. It is not a storybook. This is history and it should be put on the shelf with all the other history books. It is the same thing, because if we do not have that, then everything else falls apart.

    Secretly harboring unbelief wipes YOU out.

    http://www.PeaceWithGod.Jesus.Net

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • hi
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:34pm

    If one’s bible was written by a pedophile, it shouldn’t be counted as a religion.

    Report Post » hi  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:09pm

      Poverty…How about you tell us…how many?

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:17pm

      I have no idea, that’s why I proposed the question about someone who motivates others to have multiple wives in modern times.

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Locked
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 8:24am

      So does that include knocking up thirteen-year-olds? ;-)

      I’m still not sure when God changing His mind on polygamy. OT, it was totally fine, even encouraged; all the big names had multiple wives… which led, might I add, to the development of Islam thanks to Abraham’s kids. NT, Jesus says it’s all about making two into one. It reminds me of how Mormons think God changed His mind about black folks in the 1970s; suddenly they’re not to be excluded from priesthood despite being cursed with black skin!

      Report Post »  
  • psst
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:32pm

    Yes.

    Report Post »  
  • republapig
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:30pm

    Another sign that we are in the end times.

    Report Post » republapig  
    • holy ghostbuster
      Posted on September 22, 2011 at 6:50am

      Seems like we’re always in the end times. Especially, when you consider that the Earth is estimated to be approximately 4.5 billion years old and hunan’s life expectancy is approximately 78 years.

      Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:30pm

    I’d say we have been back sliding a right good bit around here lately.

    Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:29pm

    Considering charges of increased secularism, it’s appropriate to ask: Is religion slowly dying in America?

    I don’t believe for a minute.

    From my experience over the last year, religion is seeing a resurgence.
    Not so much the churches, I left me church because their views on social Justice….

    But US faith in God is growing.

    Report Post » randy  
    • copatriots
      Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:59pm

      I am experiencing the same thing, Randy. I’ve seen a tremendous number of Christians pursuing spiritual maturity who were ho-hum before. And an increasing number of non-Christians seeking answers about God. It may just be anecdotal evidence limited to my area but it sure seems like God is moving in a way I haven’t seen in my lifetime. To Him be All Glory, Honor and Power!

      Report Post »  
    • webpreacher
      Posted on September 23, 2011 at 7:04pm

      Well, I‘m praying that ALL the world’s “religions” be put to death (dies out). That way, only Christianity will be left so that nothing but the truth is preached, and folks all over the world will get saved through the preaching of God’s Word & gospel of Jesus…God’s Christ !!
      _______________________________________

      GodSaid/ManSaid.com
      http://www.Jesus-is-Savior.com

      go ahead, check them out !

      Report Post » webpreacher  
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