It’s no coincidence that as Christianity has declined in America, our nation has declined at the same time. Of course, some people would tell you that Christianity hasn’t declined in America, but there’s not even a question that it has: Just from 2007-2019
Great article! This is what most active Christian's churches struggle with. One (of many) reasons the church has declined is radical feminists stranglehold on our culture, thru media, politics and education. First they went after all "male only" spaces. There are very few left. Look at the Boy Scouts. At the same time "female only" spaces have sprung up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. It's all about power (empowerment) & control.
Then they went after the nuclear family. Families raised by mothers only have risen dramatically. While feminist push the message to young women that marriage is slavery. They are told that children are a barrier to self-fulfillment & career advancement. Ask many young women today who choose to be "stay at home" moms. I'm told they are viewed by some as losers and are ostracized. There is a strong correlation between young adults success (particularly young men) and having a mother & father in the home. With the caveat being that the parent's relationship is healthy. Most important is having a male influence in a child's life. Feminist downplay this or outright reject it.
Young people are told that hook-ups are just for fun and should be pursued without restraint. If it feels good, do it! The trend today with teenagers is that it's cool to be gay. It's obvious why this would happen, when our society is flooded with messages that gay is cool. A young person who is truly gay does not have it easy. It's a life with its own challenges & obstacles. Young people who are developing their sexual identity can have close feelings with a friend of the same sex. It doesn't mean they are gay. Why is this important! Because it can create confusion and shame for a young person. Being part of a church group can give young adults a moral compass. As you pointed out, a philosophy of "anything goes" does not lead to happiness. It's important to note that my comments are not meant to demean gay people.
Being part of a Christian fellowship can help parents get thru the normal, difficult challenges that can make it tempting to quit and get a divorce. Having this fellowship of friends with a commonality can be great support.
Most important, having a personal relationship with Christ can give you a lasting peace in the face of difficult times. Radical feminist preach only hate, resentment and victimhood. I believe the purpose of their Marxist philosophy is to destroy western Christian culture. Christianity is the last wall standing between us and the radical feminist success.
Beautifully written article John, thank you. As a senior age Christian, baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, I can tell you my spouse and I left the ELCA decades ago when we saw it infected with leftist ideology just like the Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and many other mainstream Christian churches. The Missouri Synod Lutheran is still more conservative but we see leftist ideology creeping in from the sidelines. I do think the failure of churches to stand against the tyranny of government during Covid may have also affected attendance/numbers too. Sadly our "conservative" Lutheran church was one who rolled over and did not take a stand. Also churches refusing to discuss the cultural degradation of society and to speak against it does not help. Thank you for a great article to share with others.
Exactly my experience, Jennifer. I was being scolded by our pastor every week, never built up. The message was how we had to change our evil ways, but the evil was defined in SJW terms, not biblical truth. The church became man pleasers, and never politically incorrect. Covid was the excuse I used to make the break from life-long ELCA membership. Now I have to learn to get my lazy butt out of bed on a cold Sun AM's and drive a good long ways to go to a bible believing church!
We left the ELCA over a decade ago when the minister put up a lifesize cardboard cutout of the actors from the movie Broke Back Mountain outside his church office. He then announced his desire to "marry" same sex pairings. The ELCA has gone even further left since then. We know of others who, like you, drive miles to attend a church that feeds and nurtures their soul while standing strong for truth.
I have been a long time Christian with my parents (pastor and wife) and I attending. When they passed, the church changed hands so I tried converting to another faith where, unfortunately converts really were not welcome. Why stay around people who do not love you? I am still trying to find a community of people with whom I feel Christ and community. Still this article is truly heartbreaking.
Those who hope for or expect the death of the Christian faith or the Catholic Church are in for a rude awakening when the conditions are re-created so that this dynamite can erupt once again. This has already happened many times before, and the watered-down, lukewarm, stale versions of Christianity has turned people off, as familiarity breeds contempt. The merger of worldly desires with the goals of Christianity has repulsed people. But the more that we retreat from the ideas that Jesus brought to us, we will begin to realize what we had, and what we lost, and why it won so many hearts and minds in the first place. The Way, as it was originally called, long before it was called Christianity, was a life of total surrender to Christ; to Jesus himself, the risen and glorified God-man. The Way, long before the Mandalorian borrowed that noun, meant abandoning all possessions and goals and desires to be reborn in life through Christ.
As we separate into our homes, hovering over our devices, in isolation, the communities of real people that form around Christ and his Church will once again remind us how his victory was achieved without sending down fire from heaven. That’s the freedom that Christ gives. That’s the relationships that he creates. That’s the whole secret. And that’s the recipe that has been put into storage and is waiting to be re-introduced, and will be in spectacular fashion once the “Big Empty” of this world’s pleasures becomes felt again. As it was in the first century, so shall it be again. We are lost in the morass of modern desires because of a simple fact:We want the wrong things.
"...regular discussions about right and wrong..." Perhaps the most perceptive comment in the entire essay. We no longer discuss actions, events or activities in terms of right and wrong because we do not have a shared "...healthy, moral structure..." that allows for commonly understood definitions of what is right and what is wrong. Doesn't necessarily need to be within the framework of Christianity (although that was the framework on which our nation was based) but needs to be generally agreed and enforced by the bulk of society. Identifying and upholding that healthy, moral structure is the primary role of society's leaders and those in that position (politicians, generals/admirals, business executives, entertainers, athletes, professors/teachers and so on) have generally abdicated that responsibility in favor of personal gain or personal opinion. Not so sure how to fix that.
I wish I could afford a yearly subscription, but I’m retired and on a budget. Anything we can trade?
I’m a retired Chef & Caterer: lots of nice serving pieces. Also, I’m a writer: have a great ‘coffee table’ set on Ebay. Google “Q Carbonero”
I admire most of your writing. Usually very perceptive, thorough and well-documented. Then, like many others before you, you seem to lose your objectivity and perspective when it comes to Judeo-Christianity [J/C]. The article re/ “Why is Christianity Declining in America?” is a case in point.
You say that the decline of America, and the West as a whole, is the result of the rejection of Christianity (I assume you also mean Judaism). I would argue that the decline of religion is not the reason for, but, rather, part of the overall change in the myth of nation that began probably with the Industrial Revolution, definitely by WW-I. [Myth of nation being the set of cultural beliefs that embody a country’s national experience: its concept of purpose, future and existence].
I would appreciate an in-depth article on this, which would include addressing religion in general, and [J/C] in particular --as a myth. Does not have to be derogatory. Those religions have done a lot of good; and its followers are generally very good people [because, or in spite of the creed]. But they have also carried out a lot of evil “in the Name of God”.
When it’s all said and done, they are MYTHS, no different than Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Celtic, Mesopotamian, African, Hindu, Slavic, Chinese, Japanese, Polynesian, Native American, Mesoamerican, South American, Abrahamic. Many more. Most are extremely similar in stories, lessons and warnings. [ref: https://mythbank.com/world-myth/] In addition, we have all these lesser myths: Magic Potions, Aliens from Outer Space, Global Warming/CO2, Sasquatch/Yeti, Illuminati, Astrology, Numerology. Palmistry, Flat Earth …ad infinitum.
I would love to read an article from you concerning the need to quit Believing IN things [and people] who’s messages are unsubstantiated. I have written to you before about this, but doubt you gave it a second thought, since I am one of the “unpaid peasants”. 😊
Respectfully, the difficulty for me in writing an article saying that I believe Christianity is a myth is that I obviously don't believe it's a myth. I'm a Christian. I kind of thought that shined through in some of the articles I've written. I definitely do consider articles people suggest, whether they're paid or not, but that's probably not one I could write.
Wow, this was a 7/11 Big Gulp for me. How much crap does America chug down before She, we turn back to God. My own kid thinks abortion is ok. And I thought I raised her right. I really do not know how this all ends in America but I do know that God willl turn His eyes from America if people do not change.
How do you know that God hasn't turned his eyes from us? One of the biggest flaws of institutional Christianity was its rejection of law. Even Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Therre is hope for your son or daughter. I was raised in a Christian home yet was all for abortion as a younger person in my 20's. For me, giving birth to my first child was when that changed.
Hmm. My daughter feels like you did before your son. So, thanks for the hope. Funny, my big sisters name is Jennifer. This is a God wink. Lovely night to you.
No, I disagree, as I think PHONY Christianity is decreasing, the frauds being exposed and those so enthralled leaving, disillusioned. Real Christians are expanding slowly, the phonies giving up the facades.
I agree, at least in part. Declining church attendance doesn't necessarily mean Christianity is declining. It just shows us that going to church is no longer a default "good person" habit in America. The people who are in church might be far more fervent believers than the lukewarm bodies that previously lined the pews. But is the American church stronger overall than it was thirty years ago? I don't know what standard we can use to measure that.
Great article! This is what most active Christian's churches struggle with. One (of many) reasons the church has declined is radical feminists stranglehold on our culture, thru media, politics and education. First they went after all "male only" spaces. There are very few left. Look at the Boy Scouts. At the same time "female only" spaces have sprung up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. It's all about power (empowerment) & control.
Then they went after the nuclear family. Families raised by mothers only have risen dramatically. While feminist push the message to young women that marriage is slavery. They are told that children are a barrier to self-fulfillment & career advancement. Ask many young women today who choose to be "stay at home" moms. I'm told they are viewed by some as losers and are ostracized. There is a strong correlation between young adults success (particularly young men) and having a mother & father in the home. With the caveat being that the parent's relationship is healthy. Most important is having a male influence in a child's life. Feminist downplay this or outright reject it.
Young people are told that hook-ups are just for fun and should be pursued without restraint. If it feels good, do it! The trend today with teenagers is that it's cool to be gay. It's obvious why this would happen, when our society is flooded with messages that gay is cool. A young person who is truly gay does not have it easy. It's a life with its own challenges & obstacles. Young people who are developing their sexual identity can have close feelings with a friend of the same sex. It doesn't mean they are gay. Why is this important! Because it can create confusion and shame for a young person. Being part of a church group can give young adults a moral compass. As you pointed out, a philosophy of "anything goes" does not lead to happiness. It's important to note that my comments are not meant to demean gay people.
Being part of a Christian fellowship can help parents get thru the normal, difficult challenges that can make it tempting to quit and get a divorce. Having this fellowship of friends with a commonality can be great support.
Most important, having a personal relationship with Christ can give you a lasting peace in the face of difficult times. Radical feminist preach only hate, resentment and victimhood. I believe the purpose of their Marxist philosophy is to destroy western Christian culture. Christianity is the last wall standing between us and the radical feminist success.
Beautifully written article John, thank you. As a senior age Christian, baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, I can tell you my spouse and I left the ELCA decades ago when we saw it infected with leftist ideology just like the Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and many other mainstream Christian churches. The Missouri Synod Lutheran is still more conservative but we see leftist ideology creeping in from the sidelines. I do think the failure of churches to stand against the tyranny of government during Covid may have also affected attendance/numbers too. Sadly our "conservative" Lutheran church was one who rolled over and did not take a stand. Also churches refusing to discuss the cultural degradation of society and to speak against it does not help. Thank you for a great article to share with others.
Exactly my experience, Jennifer. I was being scolded by our pastor every week, never built up. The message was how we had to change our evil ways, but the evil was defined in SJW terms, not biblical truth. The church became man pleasers, and never politically incorrect. Covid was the excuse I used to make the break from life-long ELCA membership. Now I have to learn to get my lazy butt out of bed on a cold Sun AM's and drive a good long ways to go to a bible believing church!
We left the ELCA over a decade ago when the minister put up a lifesize cardboard cutout of the actors from the movie Broke Back Mountain outside his church office. He then announced his desire to "marry" same sex pairings. The ELCA has gone even further left since then. We know of others who, like you, drive miles to attend a church that feeds and nurtures their soul while standing strong for truth.
I have been a long time Christian with my parents (pastor and wife) and I attending. When they passed, the church changed hands so I tried converting to another faith where, unfortunately converts really were not welcome. Why stay around people who do not love you? I am still trying to find a community of people with whom I feel Christ and community. Still this article is truly heartbreaking.
Those who hope for or expect the death of the Christian faith or the Catholic Church are in for a rude awakening when the conditions are re-created so that this dynamite can erupt once again. This has already happened many times before, and the watered-down, lukewarm, stale versions of Christianity has turned people off, as familiarity breeds contempt. The merger of worldly desires with the goals of Christianity has repulsed people. But the more that we retreat from the ideas that Jesus brought to us, we will begin to realize what we had, and what we lost, and why it won so many hearts and minds in the first place. The Way, as it was originally called, long before it was called Christianity, was a life of total surrender to Christ; to Jesus himself, the risen and glorified God-man. The Way, long before the Mandalorian borrowed that noun, meant abandoning all possessions and goals and desires to be reborn in life through Christ.
As we separate into our homes, hovering over our devices, in isolation, the communities of real people that form around Christ and his Church will once again remind us how his victory was achieved without sending down fire from heaven. That’s the freedom that Christ gives. That’s the relationships that he creates. That’s the whole secret. And that’s the recipe that has been put into storage and is waiting to be re-introduced, and will be in spectacular fashion once the “Big Empty” of this world’s pleasures becomes felt again. As it was in the first century, so shall it be again. We are lost in the morass of modern desires because of a simple fact:We want the wrong things.
"...regular discussions about right and wrong..." Perhaps the most perceptive comment in the entire essay. We no longer discuss actions, events or activities in terms of right and wrong because we do not have a shared "...healthy, moral structure..." that allows for commonly understood definitions of what is right and what is wrong. Doesn't necessarily need to be within the framework of Christianity (although that was the framework on which our nation was based) but needs to be generally agreed and enforced by the bulk of society. Identifying and upholding that healthy, moral structure is the primary role of society's leaders and those in that position (politicians, generals/admirals, business executives, entertainers, athletes, professors/teachers and so on) have generally abdicated that responsibility in favor of personal gain or personal opinion. Not so sure how to fix that.
I wish I could afford a yearly subscription, but I’m retired and on a budget. Anything we can trade?
I’m a retired Chef & Caterer: lots of nice serving pieces. Also, I’m a writer: have a great ‘coffee table’ set on Ebay. Google “Q Carbonero”
I admire most of your writing. Usually very perceptive, thorough and well-documented. Then, like many others before you, you seem to lose your objectivity and perspective when it comes to Judeo-Christianity [J/C]. The article re/ “Why is Christianity Declining in America?” is a case in point.
You say that the decline of America, and the West as a whole, is the result of the rejection of Christianity (I assume you also mean Judaism). I would argue that the decline of religion is not the reason for, but, rather, part of the overall change in the myth of nation that began probably with the Industrial Revolution, definitely by WW-I. [Myth of nation being the set of cultural beliefs that embody a country’s national experience: its concept of purpose, future and existence].
I would appreciate an in-depth article on this, which would include addressing religion in general, and [J/C] in particular --as a myth. Does not have to be derogatory. Those religions have done a lot of good; and its followers are generally very good people [because, or in spite of the creed]. But they have also carried out a lot of evil “in the Name of God”.
When it’s all said and done, they are MYTHS, no different than Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Celtic, Mesopotamian, African, Hindu, Slavic, Chinese, Japanese, Polynesian, Native American, Mesoamerican, South American, Abrahamic. Many more. Most are extremely similar in stories, lessons and warnings. [ref: https://mythbank.com/world-myth/] In addition, we have all these lesser myths: Magic Potions, Aliens from Outer Space, Global Warming/CO2, Sasquatch/Yeti, Illuminati, Astrology, Numerology. Palmistry, Flat Earth …ad infinitum.
I would love to read an article from you concerning the need to quit Believing IN things [and people] who’s messages are unsubstantiated. I have written to you before about this, but doubt you gave it a second thought, since I am one of the “unpaid peasants”. 😊
Q
Respectfully, the difficulty for me in writing an article saying that I believe Christianity is a myth is that I obviously don't believe it's a myth. I'm a Christian. I kind of thought that shined through in some of the articles I've written. I definitely do consider articles people suggest, whether they're paid or not, but that's probably not one I could write.
Much needed article. I am going to circulate it throughout my parish and family.
Good for you, Jennifer! I know what you mean. When you hold that baby, everything changes.
Wow, this was a 7/11 Big Gulp for me. How much crap does America chug down before She, we turn back to God. My own kid thinks abortion is ok. And I thought I raised her right. I really do not know how this all ends in America but I do know that God willl turn His eyes from America if people do not change.
How do you know that God hasn't turned his eyes from us? One of the biggest flaws of institutional Christianity was its rejection of law. Even Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
I have wondered the same thing. Has God turned his eyes from us? It sure feels that way. So how to bring people back to God's law? I am stumped.
It won't happen in a church that has said the law no longer applies.
Dear RK. I am not sure I understand your point. Could you explain it again to me?
Jesus was a law-abiding jew in the tradition of Moses. Christianity didn't become a thing until Paul rejected Mosaic law.
So why, Sir, does this explain the decline of religion?
Therre is hope for your son or daughter. I was raised in a Christian home yet was all for abortion as a younger person in my 20's. For me, giving birth to my first child was when that changed.
Hmm. My daughter feels like you did before your son. So, thanks for the hope. Funny, my big sisters name is Jennifer. This is a God wink. Lovely night to you.
No, I disagree, as I think PHONY Christianity is decreasing, the frauds being exposed and those so enthralled leaving, disillusioned. Real Christians are expanding slowly, the phonies giving up the facades.
I agree, at least in part. Declining church attendance doesn't necessarily mean Christianity is declining. It just shows us that going to church is no longer a default "good person" habit in America. The people who are in church might be far more fervent believers than the lukewarm bodies that previously lined the pews. But is the American church stronger overall than it was thirty years ago? I don't know what standard we can use to measure that.
Well, then you are admitting the authors are speculating, and the statistics do not really mean anything. LOL