Christianity Declining

[kalm]

Non affiliated (agnostics, atheists, etc) are a greater percentage of America than Catholics and non-evangelicals Protestants.

Just need to move past the fundies now.

http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/amer ... landscape/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Chizzang]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

[kalm]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

Yep. Spiritual (religious) freedom, is a grand thing.

[Ivytalk]

Not surprised by this poll. It just confirms a trend that's been going on for years.

[CAA Flagship]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are indeed tree-humping moonbats.

FIFY

[Chizzang]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are indeed tree-humping moonbats.

FIFY

Tree Humping Moon Bats...

Of all the duoche nozzles on this forum (and they are legion) you are among my favorites

[CID1990]

well Im on the atheist side of agnostic but I dont think Im a tree humping moonbat in the liberal sense

i did hump a tree once but it was de Debbil what made me do it

[kalm]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are indeed tree-humping moonbats.

FIFY

* Prius driving

[GannonFan]

well Im on the atheist side of agnostic

What does that mean? You're at odds with yourself? You don't believe you could or couldn't know of a God but that you also believe He doesn't exist? Do you ever catch your tail when you chase it?

[Wedgebuster]

A lot of folks act as if they follow a religion largely to avoid annoying confrontations over "belief" from other people, more so friends, and even more so family members. It's a real hassle having a swacked out Jesus freak in your face, argument is fruitless, and you do not want to win, you just want to get away.

[GannonFan]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

Where do you come up with that? In fact, the article referenced in this thread almost says the poll shows directly the opposite of what you are positing (I bolded the part in question):

■As the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated continue to grow, they also describe themselves in increasingly secular terms. In 2007, 25% of the “nones” called themselves atheists or agnostics; 39% identified their religion as “nothing in particular” and also said that religion is “not too” or “not at all” important in their lives; and 36% identified their religion as “nothing in particular” while nevertheless saying that religion is either “very important” or “somewhat important” in their lives. The new survey finds that the atheist and agnostic share of the “nones” has grown to 31%. Those identifying as “nothing in particular” and describing religion as unimportant in their lives continue to account for 39% of all “nones.” But the share identifying as “nothing in particular” while also affirming that religion is either “very” or “somewhat” important to them has fallen to 30% of all “nones.”

[Chizzang]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

Where do you come up with that? In fact, the article referenced in this thread almost says the poll shows directly the opposite of what you are positing (I bolded the part in question):

■As the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated continue to grow, they also describe themselves in increasingly secular terms. In 2007, 25% of the “nones” called themselves atheists or agnostics; 39% identified their religion as “nothing in particular” and also said that religion is “not too” or “not at all” important in their lives; and 36% identified their religion as “nothing in particular” while nevertheless saying that religion is either “very important” or “somewhat important” in their lives. The new survey finds that the atheist and agnostic share of the “nones” has grown to 31%. Those identifying as “nothing in particular” and describing religion as unimportant in their lives continue to account for 39% of all “nones.” But the share identifying as “nothing in particular” while also affirming that religion is either “very” or “somewhat” important to them has fallen to 30% of all “nones.”

Because they (those polled) know the definition of the word "Religion" and you don't...

[GannonFan]

Where do you come up with that? In fact, the article referenced in this thread almost says the poll shows directly the opposite of what you are positing (I bolded the part in question):

Because they (those polled) know the definition of the word "Religion" and you don't...

No, at this point in the article, they are referring to their "religion" as you are referring to spiritual belief. Remember, this paragraph is for the unaffiliated, i.e. those not identifying as connected to any established church or the beliefs of that church. This paragraph says that not only are they not connected to a church, they are also not really connected to whatever belief they may have, hence the idea that they see themselves as secular. Do you think the poll is wrong then?

[Chizzang]

Because they (those polled) know the definition of the word "Religion" and you don't...

No, at this point in the article, they are referring to their "religion" as you are referring to spiritual belief. Remember, this paragraph is for the unaffiliated, i.e. those not identifying as connected to any established church or the beliefs of that church. This paragraph says that not only are they not connected to a church, they are also not really connected to whatever belief they may have, hence the idea that they see themselves as secular. Do you think the poll is wrong then?

I think this is a simple misunderstanding of the application of the word
Yes indeed (and obviously) these unaffiliated think religion does not play a major roll in their lives

They don't go to church
They have no ancient text
No official doctrine
No recognized spiritual leaders
No belief so rigid that it extends beyond logic and evidence to the contrary

So, Yeah...

[GannonFan]

No, at this point in the article, they are referring to their "religion" as you are referring to spiritual belief. Remember, this paragraph is for the unaffiliated, i.e. those not identifying as connected to any established church or the beliefs of that church. This paragraph says that not only are they not connected to a church, they are also not really connected to whatever belief they may have, hence the idea that they see themselves as secular. Do you think the poll is wrong then?

I think this is a simple misunderstanding of the application of the word
Yes indeed (and obviously) these unaffiliated think religion does not play a major roll in their lives

They don't go to church
They have no ancient text
No official doctrine
No recognized spiritual leaders
No belief so rigid that it extends beyond logic and evidence to the contrary

So, Yeah...

Come on, that's just you being bitter and trying to change the subject to avoid correcting your earlier misinterpretation. Shame on you.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

A lot of folks act as if they follow a religion largely to avoid annoying confrontations over "belief" from other people, more so friends, and even more so family members. It's a real hassle having a swacked out Jesus freak in your face, argument is fruitless, and you do not want to win, you just want to get away.

Well, I'm not sure if I'm not the exact opposite of that. I love having a goddy try and tell me why I'm wrong so I can chip away at their bullshit. Let them get pissed and want to get away is always my thought.

[Chizzang]

I think this is a simple misunderstanding of the application of the word
Yes indeed (and obviously) these unaffiliated think religion does not play a major roll in their lives

They don't go to church
They have no ancient text
No official doctrine
No recognized spiritual leaders
No belief so rigid that it extends beyond logic and evidence to the contrary

So, Yeah...

Come on, that's just you being bitter and trying to change the subject to avoid correcting your earlier misinterpretation. Shame on you.

Wha..?



I'm pretty sure you're confused

[AZGrizFan]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

And also related to the fact that if an American deigns to identify oneself as "religious" or "christian" you're immediately mocked, attacked, and bullied...so who in their right mind would want to subject themselves to THAT treatment? Easier to just answer "agnostic" and move on. Unless you're mulsim....then you're coddled and cowtowed to because that's politically expedient.

[Chizzang]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

And also related to the fact that if an American deigns to identify oneself as "religious" or "christian" you're immediately mocked, attacked, and bullied...so who in their right mind would want to subject themselves to THAT treatment? Easier to just answer "agnostic" and move on. Unless you're mulsim....then you're coddled and cowtowed to because that's politically expedient.

You are such a drama queen....

[CID1990]

well Im on the atheist side of agnostic

What does that mean? You're at odds with yourself? You don't believe you could or couldn't know of a God but that you also believe He doesn't exist? Do you ever catch your tail when you chase it?

it means that Im fairly certain that there is no god in the christian/jewish/muslim sense

but I also know that I ultimately dont know

I didnt think I was being cryptic

[andy7171]

Can't wait for D1B to come out of his blackout and find this thread in three hours.

[SuperHornet]

To be accurate, Christianity is declining in Europe and MIGHT be declining in the US (at least in certain areas), but worldwide, it is booming, particularly in South America....

[dbackjon]

This is almost entirely related to "available information"
As people everywhere in America can more easily access a larger variety of data points than ever before

Whats really cool and will likely get lost in any debate regarding religion
Is that almost all of the people who claim "No specific faith" are still indeed spiritual
most of them would even agree with the question:

"Yes, I do want there to be a god"

And also related to the fact that if an American deigns to identify oneself as "religious" or "christian" you're immediately mocked, attacked, and bullied...so who in their right mind would want to subject themselves to THAT treatment? Easier to just answer "agnostic" and move on. Unless you're mulsim....then you're coddled and cowtowed to because that's politically expedient.

LOL - oh yes, you poor, persecuted Christians...

You are so full of shit Z on this one. The opposite is still true.

[dbackjon]

To be accurate, Christianity is declining in Europe and MIGHT be declining in the US (at least in certain areas), but worldwide, it is booming, particularly in South America....

BS - South America has always been heavily religious. Unless you are claiming that Catholics are not Christian.

[andy7171]

And also related to the fact that if an American deigns to identify oneself as "religious" or "christian" you're immediately mocked, attacked, and bullied...so who in their right mind would want to subject themselves to THAT treatment? Easier to just answer "agnostic" and move on. Unless you're mulsim....then you're coddled and cowtowed to because that's politically expedient.

LOL - oh yes, you poor, persecuted Christians...

You are so full of shit Z on this one. The opposite is still true.

Name another religion that isn't openly mocked.