Start Praying? Religion May Become ‘Extinct’ in 9 Countries
- Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:34pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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“That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion,” the band R.E.M once sang. For select countries across the globe, that could be true. And while the prediction doesn’t currently include the U.S., there are ominous signs that could change.
According to a new study by the American Physical Society (APS) using census data, religion in nine countries is slowly dying — and, as the BBC puts it, may even become “extinct.”
Those countries include Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
The study was published earlier this year and recently unveiled at an APS meeting in Dallas. It uses a mathematical model to “account for the interplay between the number of religious respondents and the social motives behind being one,” the BBC reports. The result is scary: “religion will all but die out altogether in those countries.”
One of the study’s authors, Richard Wiener of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the University of Arizona, explained to the BBC that “The idea is pretty simple.”
“It posits that social groups that have more members are going to be more attractive to join, and it posits that social groups have a social status or utility,” he said.
Translation: it seems it’s becoming popular not to be religious — and the more popular that becomes, the more people will join.
“In a large number of modern secular democracies,” he explained, “there’s been a trend that folk are identifying themselves as non-affiliated with religion; in the Netherlands the number was 40%, and the highest we saw was in the Czech Republic, where the number was 60%.”
America isn’t immune, either, as Foxnews.com notes:
The study also found that “Americans without affiliation comprise the only religious group growing in all 50 states.”
“In 2008 those claiming no religion rose to 15 percent nationwide, with a maximum in Vermont at 34 percent,” the study says.
Still, Wiener admitted the study isn’t perfect, and the the team is working to update the model to more accurately reflect current-world conditions.
“Obviously we don’t really believe this is the network structure of a modern society, where each person is influenced equally by all the other people in society,” he told the BBC. But, he added, “It’s interesting that a fairly simple model captures the data, and if those simple ideas are correct, it suggests where this might be going.”
“Obviously much more complicated things are going on with any one individual, but maybe a lot of that averages out.”
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Comments (321)
en2deep
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:13pm@MRBUTCHER How did that whole process work out for the people in the former & future soviet union. Stalin tried this, did they discover liberty as a result?
Report Post »handsoffmystuff
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:09pm“One of the study’s authors, Richard Wiener” Obviously, with such a name, this man is going to be mad at both his parents and God.
Report Post »gator-gal
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:09pmI’m staying with prayer..no one can take our religion away ..except satan.
Report Post »And for all you oreilly fans..oh billie boy mocked rev Graham the other night on the factor.
Made me so mad…I really wanted to tell oreilly that rev Graham is spot on and only the blind at heart will not heed the warnings…how foolish of oreilly.
oreilly is just another forked tongue reporter,.
Eblaze44
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 5:49pmYou are right, no one, not even Satan can take your religion away – go ask Job. But, it is so easy to just give it away. and then what to you mean by no religion. or do you mean no “Christian”, Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism. just what do you mean by NO religion. Most of Europe has NO religion, and since Canada, at the least, and Australia by fiat more Brit than most anything else. but do you men the “aborigines” will not have religion?
Report Post »Yaakov
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 8:32pm@Gator-Gal you are correct in still praying, but to whom do you pray and why? Neither religion or any other being can damage your soul –ONLY You can do that. Only the GOD of Abraham can restore it. Religion is truly created by mankind, the G-D of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob wants us to know him, and follow his laws(Written Torah –the first five books of the Tanach(Hebrew Bible), aka Old Testament are the source for most of the worlds believers –with their own modifications to the text hence “Religion”).
Report Post »Dan
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:07pm“All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:32pmBut they’re doing something, as seen in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland. It was about time, too.
Report Post »Dan
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 5:57pmI’m going to remind you of something you may not have been taught or learned in school:
*God is mentioned four times in the Declaration of Independence.
*The posture of The Declaration of Independence is an appeal to heaven.
*God is mentioned as the maker of the laws.
*God is mentioned as the supreme judge of the world.
*God is mentioned as divine providence.
*God is mentioned as the creator.
Oh and there is that pesky thing called the Pledge of Allegiance:
I Pledge Allegiance — I Promise to be faithful and true (Promise my loyalty)
to the flag — to the emblem that stands for and represents
of the United States — all 50 states, each of them individual, and individually represented on the flag
of America — yet formed into one Nation.
and to the Republic — And I also pledge my loyalty to “THE PEOPLE” that forms the Government that is itself a Republic, a form of government where the PEOPLE are sovereign,
for which it stands, — this (the people) Government also being represented by the Flag to which I promise loyalty.
one Nation under GOD, — These 50 individual states are united as a single Republic under the Divine providence of God, “our most powerful resource” (Also said by President Eisenhower)
Indivisible, — and can not be separated.
with Liberty — The people of this Nation has the God given right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit happiness”,
and Justice — And each person entitled to be treated justly, fairly, and according to proper law and principle, (moral law – many laws established in this nation can be traced to the 10 Commandments)
for All. — And these principles afforded to EVERY AMERICAN, regardless of race, religion, color, creed, or any other criteria. Just as the flag represents 50 individual states that can not be divided or separated, this Nation represents millions of people who can not be separated or divided.
Do you now understand that America was, has been and will always be shown Grace and Mercy from God as long as “ We The People” continue to worship HIM! We are the leader of the free world because we honored HIM in our founding. Without HIS blessings, we perish, we cease to exist! It is only because of the believers that you are covered because when we pray for our nation, everything in our nation is covered including you.
May God bless you
Report Post »Dan
thegreatcarnac
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:06pmWestern civilizatiion is a civilization of stability and order when it is working correctly. This stability comes, in part, from Christianity and the belief in God and Christ. Christianity brings civility and fairness. It also brings the hand of God over a nation for a calming and protection. Look at us now. THe less we believe and the more we import 3rd worlders and their false beliefs…., the more strife and problems we have. ONe of the goals of the communist is to remove Christianity (and other religions ) from the nation., They are demons (for lack of a better word) and they will be stopped.
Report Post »Finnuyasha
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:22pmYou’re kidding, right? Your grasp of the history of western civilization is about as tight as your grasp on current events. Judaism was around for 500 years before Christianity, containing such moral guides as the 10 commandments, which were largely based on Hammurabi’s code (which was around long before that) While it’s true that religion played a role in the development of civilization, that religion wasn’t specifically Christianity. Furthermore, devotion to and adherence of ancient religions, which were once the seat of civilization, serves no purpose in our society today with our well-established laws and law enforcement. One way or another humanity will resolve these moral dilemmas of which you speak, especially in a government such as ours, imperfect though it may be.
Report Post »ZAH
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 11:51pm“Judaism was around for 500 years before Christianity,”
Ummm…that would be 1100-1200 years, at least.
“containing such moral guides as the 10 commandments, which were largely based on Hammurabi’s code (which was around long before that) ”
That is an assumption based on certain correspondances, not proven fact, and it seems to me incredibly unlikely that a nomadic and largely illiterate (especially of cuneiform) people would have been familiar with Hammurabi’s code (which actually itself has precedents) 500-800 years after it was promulgated.
You’re also ignoring the contribution of the Church to the preservation of ancient texts and the development of the university system, and many other things essential to the character and preeminence of western civilization as well.
Report Post »flamegonesilver
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:57pmI’m staying with Praying!
Report Post »‘Sign of The Times’
Calling evil, ‘good’ and good ‘evil’
As Jesus warned us many yrs. ago.
PRAISE GOD, HIS WILL SHALL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
No matter ‘man’ does…our LORD’s will shall be done!
Dan
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:08pmAmen
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:57pmWell, as God’s Word says: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” It has always been said that many will seek and few will find the way.
Report Post »HairRazor
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:01pmIn the END, every tounge will utter these words “Jesus Is Lord.” After the entire population of the world has been exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and given the choice to accept or reject, the window of opportunity will close. This will leave you in.. or out of His presence. Don’t be on the wrong side my friend.
Report Post »wraith67
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:56pmThe study is wrong. Most of the countries listed have low sub replacement birth rates by white Europeans, but they‘re being flooded by Muslims who aren’t losing their religion and have tons of kids. I imagine the birth rate thing will correct itself once sharia is in place.
Report Post »CrazyJ
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:56pmREM’s “losing my religion” meant “going crazy” not losing an actual religion.
Report Post »ultraman
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:55pmI bet that is not going to workout too well.
Report Post »Amica
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:04pmUltraman! I miss that show!
Report Post »Michael
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:54pmMan is making himself God. Just as Adam and Eve did.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:55pm“Man makes himself God” – Not the first time it’s been tried.
Report Post »HerMajestysThunder
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:53pmHis name is Richard Wiener? Really?
Report Post »TheHammer
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:51pm“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
Saint Augustine
Report Post »lowermytaxes
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:50pmStart Praying,or keep Praying
Report Post »Red1492
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:50pmYou don’t have to be religious to be a good person. The religious have not cornered the market on kindness, mercy, charity nor superior behavior.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:52pmWell good luck to you on that.
Report Post »Navyveteran
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:55pmVery true, but it is a known fact that ppl of faith give more to charity than ppl with no faith
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:07pm“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
And he little boy told you that he died, went to Heaven, sat on Jesus’s lap, and came back to life and told his parents about it, what they were doing while he was being operated on, and told his mother that he had met his sister that had died in her “tummy.” They had not told him about that. He was four years old and could not have understood, even if they had told him about it, which they had not.
A “good person” is a law-abiding citizen. I have little faith in those who are making the laws now, but that does not make me a Christian. My faith in God, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His love for the people in this world are just some of the reasons I am a Christian. Besides, my daddy never lied to me.
Report Post »ProgressiveLiberalMarine
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:28pm@Navy
Report Post »How many religious people do it because they want to, or because they think it is a sin if they dont?
Non-sequitur
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:39pm“Very true, but it is a known fact that ppl of faith give more to charity than ppl with no faith”
So called “known facts” are usually neither.
Luxembourg – $114.4/citizen
Norway – $95.7/citizen
Sweden – $65.9/citizen
Ireland – $55.9/citizen
Denmark – $54.1/citizen
The Netherlands – $38.6/citizen
Kuwait – $32.8/citizen
Saudi Arabia – $28.7/citizen
Finland – $27/citizen
Switzerland – $25.4/citizen
Seems like Atheists and Muslims are the people most likely to give money to charities (Source. GHA Report July 2010)
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:27pmNon-sequitur:
“Very true, but it is a known fact that ppl of faith give more to charity than ppl with no faith”
So called “known facts” are usually neither.
Luxembourg – $114.4/citizen
Norway – $95.7/citizen
Sweden – $65.9/citizen
Ireland – $55.9/citizen
Denmark – $54.1/citizen
The Netherlands – $38.6/citizen
Kuwait – $32.8/citizen
Saudi Arabia – $28.7/citizen
Finland – $27/citizen
Switzerland – $25.4/citizen
Seems like Atheists and Muslims are the people most likely to give money to charities (Source. GHA Report July 2010)
—————————————————————————————–
I think I must be missing something? What, exactly, is this list supposed to prove? Maybe all the money was given by the Christians in these countries?
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 1:39amObviously, not. Did anyone notice that these are all nice countries that are really good places to live – democratic government, high standard of living, good human rights record. None of them are dictatorships, or imperial powers, or third world dumps full of starving people, or chaotic states torn by frequent coups. All the good stuff that we have that the faith junkies like to give God credit God for, they have too. All the bad stuff that we fear could happen, that the sect addicts like to blame on turning away from God, none of that is happening to them.
Report Post »en2deep
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:44pmSoon no one will be religionless you will either serve Christ or anti-christ.
Report Post »and to the republic
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:09pmright to the point, I like it…
Report Post »ILoveGlenn
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:30pmYou nailed it!
Report Post »graywolf11
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:24pmTrue dat. Because the non believers will be looking for someone to dig them out of the mess. They have already denounced Christ. So anyone “one” they place their faith and livlihood in=antichrist.
Report Post »sonnetswan
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:42pmAs people leave the apostate church, there will be more and more non-affiliated Christians. Also, many people have taken up the Climate Change mantle, yet don’t see it as religion. (just my thoughts)
Report Post »TexasProgressive
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:45pmare you saying that you think people are using Climate Change as a religion?
Report Post »sonnetswan
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:03pmYes. They ignore the facts and devote their lives or parts of their lives to ‘save’ the earth. They join a cause greater than themselves and try to proselytize everyone around them. The movement is based in ‘belief’ not scientific evidence, yet they refuse to look at it objectively. It isn‘t even that they are trying to ’save’ the earth for mankind, they are saving the earth for Mother earth’s sake. Again, this is just my opinion.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:46pm@TexasProgressive
Report Post »Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:45pm
are you saying that you think people are using Climate Change as a religion?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Geez! Not only are you screwed uip in the head, you can’t READ!
ChristPatriot
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:49pmVery true sonnetswan.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:58pmYou’ve contradicted yourself.
First you said that climate change has been taken on as a mantle but that you don’t see it as a religion. Then you AGREED with Texas Progressive!
Climate change is not a religion. It is ONLY ONE of the goals of the Progressives to gain control over us. Climate change, the new term for “global warming,” had to be called such because global warming was proven to be a con game.
Climate change has nothing to do with man. The climate changes four times a year. The globe is not heating up, unless it’s from the “hot air” being blown up our butts by Washington’s Progressive administration.
The Progressives have already stated (I watched John Kerry say it) that global warming will necessarily have to presented in a more palatible way, so that the American people will accept it, so that we can meet our goals. The goal is to strip the American people of their assets, to nudge us and nudge us and nudge us until they have control over our lives, our lightbulbs, our guns, our toilets, our water, our food, our gasoline, and EVERYTHING. These regulations are designed to put our money into other people’s pockets and enrich themselves–GE, for example. Monsanto, another.
The cost of energy will skyrocket. Obama is all for that. EVERYTHING is going to skyrocket, including food. Obama’s all for that.
But TexasProgressive can’t figure any of this out. And, he can’t read, either!
Report Post »HairRazor
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 5:46pmYes. Climate change/global warming is a page from the “Mother Earth” religion. If the hoax continues, you will be taxed, restricted, floged with a copy of the constitution (after they use it to wipe with) and generally screwed.
Report Post »sonnetswan
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 10:13pm@showtime, I am saying that, IN MY OPINION, global warming/anthrogrogenic climate change believers behave like religious devotees. I’m not asking you to agree. I don’t care if you do or not. I suppose I’m stopping you and your bravado from taking aim at someone else.
Report Post »ZAH
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 11:25pmDidn’t a Climate Change meeting of some sort a few months ago include a prayer to, or invocation of, the Mayan jaguar-goddess, Ixchell?
Report Post »and to the republic
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:42pmlots of difference between RELIGION and a relationship with GOD. 2 different things in my book….
Report Post »grandma7
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:09pmPantheism
Report Post »grandma7
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:14pmThis was supposed to be in Sonnet’s post.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:21pm@ Republic Absolutely…………God wants a relationship with ” you”…..not your religion
Report Post »ccr
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:41pm………another sign of the time? We’ve just learned so much…….we know it all, have it all figured out. My, my…….
Report Post »en2deep
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:41pmI think that when people start witnessing the peril about to be unleashed in this world they will be looking for a god if not the real God, to find comfort.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:01pmRight, cause that Book of fairy tales that Beck read to you at night tells you the end times is near.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:05pmencinom – You should be thankful people believe in God, or you would be history and that’s a fact.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:13pmEncinom -
Watch it and weep!
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
encinom
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 5:00pmShowtime,
Alex Jones’ work of fiction is proof that the last brain cell in your head died off years ago.
Report Post »markamerica
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:39pmDon’t worry. It’s not going to matter soon. Obama is using Libya as the precedent that he will point to when he attacks Israel on behalf of the so-called “Palestineans.”
Bank on it. Religion won’t matter much of anywhere after that.
Mark
Report Post »TexasProgressive
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:44pmwow, that is a good one.
Report Post »markamerica
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:52pm@TEXASPROGRESSIVE:
What’s GOOD about it?
Report Post »encinom
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:59pmReally, of course you have actual evidence of this.
Just more rantings from deranged Beckerheads. Without proof or evidence that create the wildest conspiracy theories.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:06pm@encinom
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:59pm
Really, of course you have actual evidence of this.
Just more rantings from deranged Beckerheads. Without proof or evidence that create the wildest conspiracy theories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sh–head, I’ve been “hiding and waiting” for you to say that!
This explains what has happened and what is going on — in Spades!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
Everyone needs to watch it.
Report Post »TexasProgressive
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:14pmThe “good” I was referring to was the level of crazy his statement possessed.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:20pm@TexasProgressive
Report Post »Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:14pm
The “good” I was referring to was the level of crazy his statement possessed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yeah, you in particular WOULD understand “crazy.”
encinom
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:24pm@Showtime
An Alex Jones Mock-u-mentry is you evidence, that is only proof that you are a hopeless paranoid, tin foil hat wearer.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:39pmLose it if you feel safe in doing so, but that’s not for me.
In God We Trust.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
“Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong -
They are weak, but He is strong.”
I can’t tell you how many times I have sung that AS AN ADULT!
Report Post »pickupyurcross
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:41pmverse 17 “For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world though Him might be saved.” I think that is so important, and so many people don’t remember that this statement follows John 3:16.
Report Post »Echad
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:54pmThe only truly free person is one who engages in the study of the word of G-d. The only real freedom is to live as G-d created man to live. Otherwise, one is subject to his own passions, the mores of society, or the despotism of dominant or fashionable cultures.
Report Post »katamb55
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:52pmThe scriptures state that it is always the minority of people who are believers in Christ. The problem is when the majority start wanting evil, and calling good evil and evil good. That‘s what we’re seeing now. The U.S. is on a very slippery slope in not recognizing the God of this land, even Jesus the Christ.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:39pmIt uses a mathematical model to “account for the interplay between the number of religious respondents and the social motives behind being one,”
Report Post »Just like global warming????
myrkat
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:08pmTranslated to “Common Sense” this (and many other “studies”) can be read thusly:
“New way found to sponge public research money from the Nanny State”
Sadly, much like the global warming / cooling / climate change / whatever it is today, this is just throwing some meat to their masters in the hopes that the crumbs from the table are large and succulent.
I no longer trust surveys, studies, nor much in the scientific community anymore. I approach any kind of statistics or mathematical models as “they are wrong until proven right” – poor me.
-myrkat
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:38pm“The Russian dissident Igor Shafarevich concluded that there are four basic principles manifested in the activities of communist states and ideologies: the abolition of private property, the abolition of the family, the abolition of religion and equality or the abolition of hierarchy in society.”
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:46pmAnd Obama’s working on all four.
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:12pmAnd the fourth will never be achieved since Humanity needs a leader of some type and when you take away religion then you have no leader and then they fight for the top. You see it in the book of Acts when the followers in Jerusalem banded together for their faith but ended up fracturing because of their selfishness. And until the human soul is freed from sin it will always return to what it knows. Even the knowledge of forgiveness can lead Mankind to Sin because without leadership of a benevolent kind faith has a hard time.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:21pm@1TrueOne55
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:12pm
“And the fourth will never be achieved since….”
Never say “never!”
Report Post »en2deep
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:55pmIt’s called the democrat party
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:15pmMy Gosh ya’ll….If the agenda is “one world gover……it will also be “one world religion” How do you like those apples? It makes me ill to think about it.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:37pmThe war on religion has been going on worldwide by progressives and socialists for nearly 100 years and more; so we are seeing the end game of the movement. A revival is going on in America, I just hope and pray it is a true one, and we still have enought time, God willing and permitting.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:42pmAgreed Snow. I believe this is the biggest cause of the decline in our society. Religion has always been a backbone in America that provides a structure of at least trying to live under a moral code. When you remove that, there is no reason to even try to adhere to the moral code. Here is a video that explains this better than I can. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwehWN4dXKg
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:45pmReligious dissent is much older than the progressives, Snow. Socrates ring a bell?
Karl Marx, unfortunatly, said it best: “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is, therefore, in embryo, the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo.”
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:46pmThe article is not correct, religion is alive and well in Holland, Australia and with the Swiss…it is called Islam. So they really need to watch their backs on this one
and to the republic
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:47pmI think the recession is part of the reason for the revival…..
Report Post »BTW, I would like to be the 1st to say I’m sorry to the study author, Dick Wiener, on behalf of his parents for giving him that name. Seriously mom, dad, is that the best you could come up with?
watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:52pm2 Peter 3:3
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
Romans 1
Report Post »28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
gramma b
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 1:55pm“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” — George Washington
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:00pmAnyone watch The Book Of Eli? The war is explained in this movie b/c of religion where all books were burned esp religious books.
Look at the conflicts around the world, when you pull back the sugar coating religion is at the core….. just saying
Report Post »Amica
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:00pmThe problem as I see it, is that more and more churches are caving to the worldly idea of political correctness. I go to church to be spiritually fed, if the message gets diluted down to simply be nice to everyone, well, I do that already. So, why get up and go somewhere, I can ponder being nice to people at home in my pjs or jeans.
So, I don’t believe the more and more people are turning a way from God, I think they’re turning away from lukewarm, pointless religion. Or, as the intellectual put it “social groups.”
As people honestly seek the truth, they will find it.
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:04pmAwesome! Now there’s even more reasons to move to Australia, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand. (These nations kick ass.)
If only the bible thumpers here would give it a rest.
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:06pmWhen you consider Austria (my Mothers birth country) was the birth place of the National Socialist Party that eventually took over Germany and created the second Greatest War to end all wars, this is not unusall. Even though Austria is a Roman Catholic country by its faith it is not surprising that religion is waning, they should try protestant rules and maybe they could rekindle their faith.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:09pm@ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Bye-bye. Have a safe trip. Write if you find work.
Report Post »Finnuyasha
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:11pmWhy does one need an omniscient god looking down to ensure their good behavior? What about law abiding citizens who don’t want to be arrested and jailed?
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:16pmMr. Butcher Karl was an idiot. Religion isn’t the sigh of the opressed people only those with no religious faith can view religion as opression. And what exactly causes those with no religion feel opression from religion. Consquences for their actions ring a bell. More over there is no larger opresssor in the world than Government(KARL WAS REALLY BIG ON GOVERNMENT) and what is the largeest thing standing in the way of government opression,religion people with faith do what they believe is right based on their religion and not BIG BROTHER,MOTHER RUSSIA,UNCLE SAM WHATEVER.
Report Post »Karl named enemy of his agenda nothing more nothing less. As much as Obama views the Constitution as a document of negative amendments. Karl and Obama have the same goal a populist and economy totally under government control with no voice of objection……IS THERE ANYTHING MORE OPRESSIVE
JRook
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:29pmAs the group here likes to represent the founding fathers, I will yield to a real quote from Thomas Jefferson. While it is reasonable to consider a superior force or energy in the universe, God if you will, to promote the typical arrogant western or American view that Christianity is a superior religion or faith is ignorant at best.
The whole history of these books [the Gospels] is so defective and doubtful that it seems vain to attempt minute enquiry into it: and such tricks have been played with their text, and with the texts of other books relating to them, that we have a right, from that cause, to entertain much doubt what parts of them are genuine. In the New Testament there is internal evidence that parts of it have proceeded from an extraordinary man; and that other parts are of the fabric of very inferior minds. It is as easy to separate those parts, as to pick out diamonds from dunghills.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:44pm@1TrueOne55
Report Post »If you‘re going to play that card then don’t forget Canada is mentioned on this list too. You know, Canada, one of the countries that was in both World Wars from the get go and didn’t need to pussyfoot around until the back half before joining in.
lel2007
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:44pm…. It is the remnant that will be saved.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:45pm@Amica
Report Post »I think you are absolutely right! The only part of any faith movement that is growing right now seems to be “Messanic Believers”. These are people who have gone back to the front of the book and are looking at the Hebraic roots of faith……by really reading the whole Bible and trying to understand what and why it says what it says. Most of these groups are small house type meetings and if polled, they would say they have no “church” affiliation. They are not, at all, leaving faith–they are just leaving religious systems that are not working!!
I taught Sunday School lesson last Sunday, the title was “Live up to the Gospel”….told them “That sounds good, what does it mean, and how do you do it?” The prepared lesson was all smoke and mirrors……..told you nothing. Had to go pull scriptures and do a complete different lesson to give them any concrete answers. That is what our seeker friendly, all inclusive religious systems in many places have come to. Too many people are starving for answers and getting none.
ginsberg
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 2:55pmGood god, there is backlash against religion in some places yes, because religion had had its bootheel on the throat of billions over the centuries. it is only natural for people to seek answers as to the meaning of life. Now that more have the freedom to make a choice, more decide religion is not the answer. It will be centuries though before some religions go extinct…catholics going extinct in ireland? Not for some time. Im tired of christians in the u.s. acting all persecuted. Get over it you people have had every chance and held ultimate power…not great results…think bumbling bush, religion cannot replace brainpower.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:09pm@ JROOK………….Is Jefferson an infallible man and if what he stated was true every die hard atheist and critical literary scholar would have so trumpeted that truth as to all but vanquish the Bible into exile and ridicule. However, it stand alone as the most substantiated and supported text of the ancient world bar none. To do away with the Bible as errant would mean that by any consistent standard all other ancient works would likewise have to by consistent necessity fall into disrepute. Still waiting for that bombshell. It would have dropped by now if someone possessed that smoking gun.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:21pmGINSBERG is right about the results !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait the USA has been and amazingly still is the greatest economic and military power in human history, not too mention the most charitable by rebuilding nations it decimated in world wars and providing foreign aid for countries that often work against us. It also has done more to set more people free from oppressive governments and regimes as well by giving the blood of her young service men/women on foreign soil. It feeds not only itself but a great deal of the rest of the world and has raised the standard of living domestically and abroad in a number of areas. It has championed the idea of liberty and freedom worldwide even for faiths that are not consistent with the basis of hers. Yep GINSBERG was right the results speak for themselves where this Christian nation is concerned. And of course we haven’t done everything right as a nation, show me one that has please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:27pmI don’t understand why people believe that without religion, there can’t be any good. Am I really a bad person because I don’t believe in your religion or in this God you love to worship? Does that make me automatically into a serial killer with no morals?
Morality isn’t religious, it’s human nature. You don’t need God to know what is right and wrong. I don’t need to be feared into being a good person. I don’t need anyone to threaten me with hell or bribe me with heaven to live the best life I can, to provide for my family and to treat my fellowing humans with dignity.
I honestly question the motivation of religious folks that DO need to be threatened and bribed to be a good person. Do you believe you are incapable of being good without some God looking over your shoulder?
Report Post »Uncle Crusty
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:53pmGod Bless us all, and build up your base with true religion, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Report Post »nosycophant
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 3:58pmEverything is more fun when it is illegal this will mean more praying and devout people.
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:01pmHey, 82DAIRBORNE. That’s very cool of you. Thanks.
Report Post »schmite123oh
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:08pmthis article is lacking some better info for its study, glad it made a note to mention that because in the whole world it is estimated that there are about 150 million atheist’s. dont ask for proof you can google this info with pretty steady results. so that leaves the remaining amount beleivers in something, hope they find Jesus.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:10pmSounds like wishful thinking by the BBC to me. What are they thinking, Europe is being over run by Islamic religious fanatics. It is true however that much of Europe is in a post Christian phase. A very sad situation indeed. Jesus is the answer for the world today.
Report Post »hologram5
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:18pm@ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Report Post »Don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you…
Buh Bye…
avenger
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:25pmwhich religion ?
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:32pmSo you are saying Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian? Funny, because if you track Jefferson’s history you will see him regularly attending church services, tithing, and promoting Christianity. In fact, he even started his own Bible society.
But you may be right, later in his life he did denounce the deity of Christ. Even though he insisted his children become Christians. But what is your point? You want to assert that the 200+ odd founding fathers, a good number of them preachers, were not Christian because Jefferson’s belief is questionable? What is your point? Is it supposed to “shake” my faith? Because I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, something you would not understand. I really do not care what ANYONE else thinks or believes, I know I am right.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:42pmFinnuyasha:
Why does one need an omniscient god looking down to ensure their good behavior? What about law abiding citizens who don’t want to be arrested and jailed?
————————————————————-
American Soldier:
I don’t understand why people believe that without religion, there can’t be any good. Am I really a bad person because I don’t believe in your religion or in this God you love to worship? Does that make me automatically into a serial killer with no morals?
Morality isn’t religious, it’s human nature. You don’t need God to know what is right and wrong. I don’t need to be feared into being a good person. I don’t need anyone to threaten me with hell or bribe me with heaven to live the best life I can, to provide for my family and to treat my fellowing humans with dignity.
I honestly question the motivation of religious folks that DO need to be threatened and bribed to be a good person. Do you believe you are incapable of being good without some God looking over your shoulder?
———————————————————————————————
You two really should get a clue! That is not at all what Christ taught and has nothing to do with Christianity. We are not saved by our works (following rules, being moral, obeying laws…) We are saved by faith alone. It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that sanctifies the Christian and motivates him to be what you would consider to be a good Christian. But that does not mean that non-believers cannot be moral, honest, noble, charitable, or have any of the other good traits.
But American Soldier, you are wrong in that you DO need God to know what is right or wrong. If there is no God then WHO is to say something is wrong? You do not realize it, but you do rely on a higher authority for this. This is also why the atheist is inconsistent. If there is no higher authority then what is the point in giving your life for another? You can squirm around the question of morality, but in the end it will always be inconsistent unless there is a God.
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:52pmI am with you SNOW, however, if there is a revival we need to pray it is a true revival. I remember after 9/11 our church was busting at the seams for about 3 months. I have watched other mini-events over the last 30+ years that seemed to be revivalesk but were a false indication of true dedication to our Savior, and folks fell away almost as rapidly.
I will pray, continue to pray, for a true revival always. I won’t hold my breath because I see a bigger surge within the secular realm….at least until the fox hole is needed.
Report Post »ginsberg
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 4:58pmWatchtheotherhand…we still have not been around as long as the greeks or romans, so dont get cocky. As far as christianity being the reason for all our success, I dont believe that is true. Science and military might put us where we are, as well as a healthy dose of self interest and greed (which is not always bad). Also per capita we are not the most generous country in the world. Remember the story in the bible in which jesus blessed the poor woman who gave all over the rich person who gave more but little compared to what he had?
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 5:15pm@ ECHAD…….right on man of course true morality is based on the belief of an authority outside of ourselves. Otherwise you have what many hold to today which is moral relativism, which is no morality at all. And of course men can be moral at times, which was AMERICAN SOLDIERS argument, it is just as Paul said in Romans……
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
It is inescapable that we have been created with a general sense of what is right and wrong in our hearts that reflects our Creators character of righteousness, ie we have been created in His image. However, the unbeliever rebels against that authority and refuses to submit to Him with reverence. Being moral does not negate the Biblical doctrine of human depravity in that it does not mean that men are as absolutely evil as they could be in degree but rather that all faculties of man, mind, heart, soul, emotions have been corrupted by sin and we are fallen completely in all our nature. It is a common misunderstanding for those wo like to espouse how good they are. However, the Lord says that are good deeds are like filthy rags in that our “good deeds” are tainted by mixed and corrupt motives. They are nothing in comparison to His holiness.
As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”[b]
13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”[c]
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d]
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e]
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[f]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g]
Romans 3
Report Post »jbl8199
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 5:56pmYou know the Devil‘s greatest trick was proving he didn’t exist. I’m not giving up my faith for anyone.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:02pmthis has nothing to do with the “war” on religion. this has to do with care less ness. There is NO perceived value to religion, other than as a place of social gathering. Just look at the modern turn of “christianity” in this country. what do they call it, oh yes, contemporary service. From my observation, about the only people on the planet, (of the “major” religions”), that actually worship God are the Muslims, what we call believers in Islam, where they call God Allah. Buddha is not, and never claimed by any hint that he was or wanted to be God. so Buddhists don’t really “worship” him as much as his ideas.
The good book, the one that is called the “Holy Bible” says to train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it. well, it appears that Christians don’t train their child in anything, not even how to behave or show respect for others, much less those in authority or their elders. The whole American way of life is based on being entertained through every medium. As a people, Americans (United States Americans) gave up worship long ago. now it’s NASCAR, NFL, Baseball, basketball, xbox, play station, just about anything but believing or even having an idea of what or who God is and his relationship to us as one of His Children.
We read about Daniel, going three times a day to pray. we find it hard to pray once, maybe, if we think about it, maybe.
Report Post »home_of_the_brave
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:05pmIt’s no coincidence that those countries mentioned are also the ones experiencing domestic unrest and turmoil. If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
Matthew 24: 3-13
“Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:05pm@ GINSBURG……I would submit to you that the reason we became a strong and wealthy nation was because of the foundation we began with and the foundation was laid by a very strong component of people of faith that was in the majority during the formation of our country and the freedoms you enjoy. They were called inalienable rights because they were deemed to be granted by God not a king or government. Individual governance was their cry and this was quite a radical idea up to that point that was instituted because of people of faith who were trying to break free from the clutches of a king that also gave them no representation but taxed them. And I would appreciate if you would reference a country that has given more as a percentage of their GDP than the US. Please provide your reference for that. You are talking about what the US gives through government aid I am referring to what this country gives through that but also what is given in the form of private donations through all types of organizations. Our rank is #1. Here is my resource to back my statement.
http://www.american.com/archive/2008/march-april-magazine-contents/a-nation-of-givers
Report Post »Large Eagle
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:23pmHow can they say that there isn’t any more religion in those countries – They are being over run with Muslins – The jihad Religion – Believe or die – Oh now I get it – That is why the religions are decreasing
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 6:51pmWho names their kid dick weiner?
Report Post »vck
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 7:54pmAMEN!! Preach on.
Report Post »Yaakov
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 8:12pmGreetings Snowleopard, Bad news for those that choose not to know, and good for those that seek to know the G-D of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob, we don’t have long to wait. All of this was written about 3,500+ years ago in the the Writing of Moses(called the Written Torah), Daniel. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, these and the other prophets in the Tanach, aka Old Testament. Faith is not needed, the desire to know is needed. Isaiah 43 is a bell ringer for this comment.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 8:13pmMrButcher;
Are you one of those trying to dismantle the United States?
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 8:31pmI have no religious affiliation with any groups but I am a devout Bible believer and I consider Jesus the only begotten son of The Almighty God. I think this may be the case of many others. It is my personal belief that God put an empty spot in his creation that can only be filled by Him. People will try to fill this spot with many things but they will never be satisfied until the true God is taken in. My personal opinion based on Gods revealed word the Bible. Thanks
Report Post »home_of_the_brave
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 8:51pmdick weiner ha ha, his mommy hated him.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 9:13pm@ YAAKOV…………..Hebrews 11:6
Report Post »And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 9:18pm@ PCBEDARNED……………….I agree with you and what people fill that part of us that was created to worship God is what is known as idols. This can be money, stuff, vanity, yourself, pleasure, knowledge, another person, an ideal, even religious activity/service. That is why God said you shall have no other gods before me meaning not just idols they way many people think of them, but anything that takes his place in our hearts. That is why Jesus said the following about money.
Matthew 6:24
Report Post »“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
trolltrainer
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 9:41pmYaakov says:
Isaiah 43 is a bell ringer for this comment.
————————————————————————-
Close! Isaiah 53 is more to the point!
Shalom
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 10:04pmAmen.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 10:12pm@ TROLL………..Amen brother amen.
Romans 2:29
Report Post »No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
zippo
Posted on March 23, 2011 at 11:11pm100% agree, well putt!!
Report Post »colonial10
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:09amIt all comes from the source, Satan. Father of all lies. Makes sense to me. My child refuses to go to church and acknowledge God. She get’s it from school and her other family.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:02amAs a New Zealander, I can tell you that there is a significant proportion of the country that has “no religion” as they say in polls. I’m not sure what the exact percentage is but it is somewhere between 35% and 40%.
We do not try to persuade anybody else to become atheist and the subject very seldom comes up here. People are entitled to believe whatever they want.
When I was travelling in the USA and meeting some very nice people, I was careful to mention that I was an atheist at the earliest reasonable opprtunity so as not to cause embaressment and awkwardness when I was invited to church. I don’t mind going to church (I was a choirboy once), but I think it s a bit fraudulent not to come clean to people who are trying to be friendly and welcoming.
It is a lovely old world filled with the most interesting people, and I don’t really care what religion they belong to. Except for muslims. If they do not condemn the atrocities commited in the name of islam, then they are the scum of the earth.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:07am@ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Report Post »If that’s the only reason for you to come to New Zealand, then it is a pretty stupid reason.
nzkiwi
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:11am@home_of_the_brave
Report Post »I don’t think New Zealand experiences any more turmoil than the USA.
MadinIllinois
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:26amNo one can silence “prayer” and the belief in God without an individual’s “willingness” to let it go! If you believe that this fight has been going on since before the birth of Christ – and – it is still continuing to this day, then you understand that there has “always” been a constant battle for your soul. My father always told me – “No one wants to go to hell by themselves” – so, the progressives, liberals and atheists obviously need you to believe that there is no God. I believe they’re wrong!!
Report Post »ltb
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:02pm“According to a new study by the American Physical Society (APS) using census data, religion in nine countries is slowly dying — and, as the BBC puts it, may even become ‘extinct.’ Those countries include Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland.”
—-
92% of people in Ireland identify themselves as Christians
81% of people in Finland identify themselves as Christians
79% of people in Switzerland identify themselves as Christians
77% of people in Canada identify themselves as Christians
70% of people in Austria identify themselves as Christians
64% of people in Australia identify themselves as Christians
55% of people in New Zealand identify themselves as Christians
Extinct? Yeah, right… wishful thinking on the part of the atheists at the BBC. Liars.
…..
“Then the LORD said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.’ The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham approached him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ The LORD said, ‘If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’ Then Abraham spoke up again: ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?’ ‘If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.’ Once again he spoke to him, ‘What if only forty are found there?’ He said, ‘For the sake of forty, I will not do it.’ Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?’ He answered, ‘I will not do it if I find thirty there.’ Abraham said, ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?’ He said, ‘For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.’ Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’ When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.” (Ge 18:20-33)
..
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Co 5:21)
..
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Th 4:16-17)
Report Post »jackrorabbit
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:12pmWe are in the last days folks. When half of those countries are english speaking, we know that the gospel has been preached around the world, and now it is being rejected by the countries that used to be the stars of spreading the gospel.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:13pm@TROLLTRAINER
EXACTLY! You hit my point right on the head, you are not saved by being moral but worshiping Jesus Christ and his father. As long as you have faith! As long as you ask for forgiveness! This sounds like a cop out. Jeffrey Dahmer is prancing around heaven right now because, even though he murdered so many people, he asked for forgiveness. Who are you to say he wasn’t sincere? What if he was? What if he fully embraced Jesus into his soul and gave his entire faith into him. What a friggin cop out!
I know what is wrong. Hurting someone else is wrong. I am an Agnostic, not an Atheist, but the point is we know what is right and wrong. Are you seriously implying that you would not sacrifice your life for your children, your wife, your brother or sister, your father or mother, without the belief in God? Or a belief in the reward of heaven?
I don’t believe in God. I don’t believe in Heaven. I will take a bullet in the heart to save my children’s life. Just because YOU need that motivation to sacrifice your life for another doesn’t mean I have to. Looking at it, who’s a better person in this situation? Someone willing to sacrifice their life for others knowing that nothing follows, no reward of eternal bliss or the one that‘ll do it because they think they’ll go to heaven and receive the bliss of God?
Show examples on how I am inconsistent with my beliefs in morality and doing what is right?
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:17pmThere is no war on religion. There is no end game of movement. You’re like a freaking fortune cookie. Nonsense and never comes true and works good with “in bed.”
Report Post »The war on religion has been going on in bed.
I just hope and pray it is in bed.
and we still have enought time in bed
VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:08pmSNOW
I for one am doing all I can to help the decline of religion. When I hear the trash that Beck spews (claiming the cloak of religion) then goes on to get VERY close to libeling those with whom he disagrees.
However, a Baptist minister once told me that he wished that more people were s ‘Christian’ as i am! LOL!
One day last week Glenn ended one of his radio segments by saying that ‘even when you disagree with – or dislike – someone, you MUST always show them love”. Then he came back after the break to call one of his ‘enemies, Fascist, Nazi and all the other nasty names he could think of. Now, which is it – love thy neighbor – or blast them to hell and back??
It has already been decided by those on this site that I am a ‘lost soul’, that I‘m an ’infidel, that l‘m not worthy to shine Glenn’s shoes’. That is OK! Glenn’s style of love and religion has no place in my world!
Buh-bye!
Report Post »VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:31pm@AMERICAN SOLDIER (SEPARATED)
I thank you for your service.
But I also say, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your sane voice of reason and inspiring posts. I am in your corner all the way. I am my brothers/sisters keeper – and have been since I (as a child) fought in the local ‘underground’ against Nazi (the real ones) occupiers back when I was a child. I learned early and hard that people who work together for the betterment of all are able to live their lives with complete satisfaction that they have done their best. No one could ask for more – and nobody could bribe me – or try to scare me – into believing anything else. After all, you don’t transplant an old tree and expect it to survive; and I’m rather an old tree!
Good luck, my friend!
Report Post »ProudPatriot1776
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:40pmSnow leopard, you comment on every story, literally every story and you have the same answers over and over again. ” it is the socialist and progressives, and the other colloquialisms fox news uses. Do you work, do you have a job. Or do you sit all day feeding from the nipple of right wing puppet masters like beck? Honest question.
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