jclalor 12 #1 March 13, 2009 It appears the US is slowly pulling away from the beleifs of the middle ages. I dont think it will happen in my life time, but maybe with in a 100 years the Judeo Christian god will follow the same path as the thousands of other gods that came before. This link now works. http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/030909-w-christians Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #2 March 13, 2009 Would be interested in reading that if there was something there."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamdancer 0 #3 March 13, 2009 use this link: http://usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-09-american-religion-ARIS_N.htm QuoteAmong the key findings in the 2008 survey: • So many Americans claim no religion at all (15%, up from 8% in 1990), that this category now outranks every other major U.S. religious group except Catholics and Baptists. In a nation that has long been mostly Christian, "the challenge to Christianity … does not come from other religions but from a rejection of all forms of organized religion," the report concludes. • Catholic strongholds in New England and the Midwest have faded as immigrants, retirees and young job-seekers have moved to the Sun Belt. While bishops from the Midwest to Massachusetts close down or consolidate historic parishes, those in the South are scrambling to serve increasing numbers of worshipers. • Baptists, 15.8% of those surveyed, are down from 19.3% in 1990. Mainline Protestant denominations, once socially dominant, have seen sharp declines: The percentage of Methodists, for example, dropped from 8% to 5%. • The percentage of those who choose a generic label, calling themselves simply Christian, Protestant, non-denominational, evangelical or "born again," was 14.2%, about the same as in 1990. • Jewish numbers showed a steady decline, from 1.8% in 1990 to 1.2% today. The percentage of Muslims, while still slim, has doubled, from 0.3% to 0.6%. Analysts within both groups suggest those numbers understate the groups' populations. Ihsan Bagby, associate professor of Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky-Lexington, says that most national telephone surveys such as ARIS undercount Muslims, and that he is conducting a study of mosques' membership sponsored by the Hartford (Conn.) Institute for Religious Research. Meanwhile, some Jewish surveys that report larger numbers of Jews also include "cultural" Jews — those who connect to Judiasm through its traditions, but not necessarily through actively practicing the religion. Meanwhile, nearly 2.8 million people now identify with dozens of new religious movements, calling themselves Wiccan, pagan or "Spiritualist," which the survey does not define. Wicca, a contemporary form of paganism that includes goddess worship and reverence for nature, has even made its way to Arlington National Cemetery, where the Pentagon now allows Wiccans' five-pointed-star symbol to be used on veterans' gravestones. stay away from moving propellers - they bite blue skies from thai sky adventures good solid response-provoking keyboarding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #4 March 13, 2009 percentage of Americans identifying as Christians has dropped to 76 percent of the population, down from 86 percent in 1990. Oooh...only 3 out of 4 instead of 3.5 out of 4 in the last 20 years.I don't think Christianity is going away anytime soon.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #5 March 13, 2009 Saying that you're a Christian and fully living Christian values are 2 separate things (often by a fucking big margin too) (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,461 #6 March 13, 2009 Quotepercentage of Americans identifying as Christians has dropped to 76 percent of the population, down from 86 percent in 1990.I wonder how many of them have been turned off by some of the more fundamentalist Christians who say that only born-agains (or KJV, or whatever) are "real" Christians. I have a friend whose minister wouldn't marry her and her Methodist husband because he wasn't a "Christian." Religion seems to be trying to drive wedges between its people just as political dogma does; something to differentiate, and make the differences (whether perceived or real) "significant" enough to warrant people's focusing on. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #7 March 13, 2009 QuoteSaying that you're a Christian and fully living Christian values are 2 separate things (often by a fucking big margin too) Quote“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mahatma Gandhi"That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #8 March 13, 2009 Quote Religion seems to be trying to drive wedges between its people just as political dogma does; you mean like the fanatics of religion or politics are creeps that act and think they are better than everyone else? and will go to great lengths to belittle or even harm anyone that doesn't think or talk exactly as they do? while the normals of religion or politics are pretty much just regular people? no, I don't see that - not at all ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #9 March 13, 2009 right. Notice the results do not indicate a total lack of belief in a god or higher power. just lack of "religion". I wonder if the poll even asked who considered themselves a "follower of Jesus", which is what MANY non-denominational churches and their members are calling themselves these days. Why? for exactly the reasons Wendy enumerated. To me the poll doesn't necessarily indicate a large rise in atheism, rather a small rise in atheism and a larger rise in those who may believe, but don't identify with a particular church.Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,461 #10 March 13, 2009 Hey -- it's important to be able to tell us from them. Otherwise how do we know to whom we're superior? Me, I'm superior to people who don't write pedantically Wendy W. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #11 March 13, 2009 Quote Hey -- it's important to be able to tell us from them. Otherwise how do we know to whom we're superior? Me, I'm superior to people who don't write pedantically Wendy W. hold on while I look up the word pedantic...... (I like Andi's comment - it makes me comfortable because I don't mind religious people of that bent - they aren't pushy) Edit: pedantic 1. ostentatious in one's learning. 2. overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, esp. in teaching. so speaking or writing as if one was standing at a podium, (or pulpit) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,461 #12 March 13, 2009 Too many people want what are really their preferences to be anointed as "right." Which implies, of course, that others are "wrong." Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #13 March 13, 2009 Quote Too many people want what are really their preferences to be anointed as "right." Which implies, of course, that others are "wrong." therefore, 1 - atheists will read these polls as a move to atheism 2 - religious people who don't attend church will perceive this as a move away from organized religion and to personal/private spirituality 3 - Agnostics, Buddists, etc will like #2 because it starts to take the conflict out of the system while letting people believe or dis-believe as they will 4 - the rest of us won't care much, other than as an interesting discussion tangent ( thus also validating our personal position that we are 'right' and that's good because others continue to be wrong, just not so dramatically) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,461 #14 March 13, 2009 You forgot the hard-core proselytizers who will see this as an opportunity. See? You're wrong again Wendy W. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #15 March 13, 2009 Quote See? You're wrong again . admit it, that felt REALLY good to write that (you're answer is, obviously, "NOPE, wrong again", but try and challenge me better) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,461 #16 March 13, 2009 Oh no, it felt GREAT to write that See? You were right this time. But only because I said so Wendy W. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #17 March 13, 2009 Quote Quote Saying that you're a Christian and fully living Christian values are 2 separate things (often by a fucking big margin too) Quote “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mahatma Gandhi Indeed (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #18 March 13, 2009 QuoteQuotepercentage of Americans identifying as Christians has dropped to 76 percent of the population, down from 86 percent in 1990.I wonder how many of them have been turned off by some of the more fundamentalist Christians who say that only born-agains (or KJV, or whatever) are "real" Christians. I have a friend whose minister wouldn't marry her and her Methodist husband because he wasn't a "Christian." Religion seems to be trying to drive wedges between its people just as political dogma does; something to differentiate, and make the differences (whether perceived or real) "significant" enough to warrant people's focusing on. Wendy W. Nothing new there. Catholics and mainstream Protestants have been doing that since Martin Luther. Now It's Mainstream Protestants and Evangelicals. Are you the Judean People's Front FUCK OFF! We're the People's Front of Judea. I thought we were the People's Popular Front of Judea. No, that's him over there. SPLITTER! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #19 March 13, 2009 I don't believe religious belief is dropping at all http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/could-obama-be-just-too-awesome/ I would take a poll, but will leave that up to others more qualified. 1 vote per call, 50 cents charge to vote - share the fun with your friends - operators standing by - void where prohibited 1 - "Funny! Harmless prose" 2 - "Funny!!" (Cruel joke at dems expense added) 3 - "Sounds exactly right. Why are you smiling? He is all that. Stop smiling, I'm dead serious." 4 - "How DARE you mock Him?" 5 - "Clever, made me chuckle" 6 - "Why does author hate black people?" 7 - "This is serious, the freak is destroying the nation and joking won't fix it" and finally the old standby 8 - "Whatever he does, at least he's not the last guy" I'd vote 5 ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #20 March 13, 2009 Quotereligious belief dropping in USA No it's not, but you will get your wish that the world will be void of christian influence some day.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #21 March 13, 2009 Probably it just reflects the fact that athiests/agnostics are not denying it as much any more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #22 March 13, 2009 Quote Quote religious belief dropping in USA No it's not. How can you be so sure that you state this as a fact? Why do people of 'faith' automatically believe that there's is the one true one and all others, going back thousands of years and spanning the globe are all wrong ? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BaronVonBoll 0 #23 March 13, 2009 People of faith in a religion and people of faith in God are Two completly differnt things, and seperate Ideals. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #24 March 13, 2009 QuotePeople of faith in a religion and people of faith in God are Two completly differnt things, and seperate Ideals. sure, but if you step back about 20 paces and squint your eyes, then it's harder to discern a difference ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #25 March 13, 2009 QuoteHow can you be so sure that you state this as a fact? I think it is immpossible to actually have an accurate reliable study on the subject... I'm going on what I see and hear....sorry that bugs you mate. QuoteWhy do people of 'faith' automatically believe that there's is the one true one and all others, going back thousands of years and spanning the globe are all wrong ? I believe all religions can lead to Trinity ...that's how it seems to be working for me anyhow....Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
