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You do realize that Christian churches are at the forefront of providing for the needs of people in times of tragedy, right?
OK, so they do something externally visible to justify their existence. That doesn't mean that I am obliged to conform with the church's view of personal conduct, nor to regard their moral posture to be more true than that of secular society or other faiths.
You do realize that Islamic Mosques provide for the needs of people to at least a comparable extent, if not more so.
Location: Sitting on a bar stool. Guinness in hand.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hyker
Hello baystarter.
I disagree, especially if you look at those growing minority demographics...Latin Americans (historically Roman Catholic) and African Americans (historically various forms of Protestantism). Although America contains a variety sub-cultures, Christianity runs strongly though many of them.
Thanks.
While what you say is true. I would argue that the fading away of Christianity (if it happens) Will affect the country's culture less dramatically. Why? Well notice I used the word fading. I think (speaking for me only) that Christianity will (if at all) lose favor over a very long drawn out period. This in turn will less the impact overall of the "loss" of Christianity. On top of this I don't think people for the most part will let go of God very quickly...if at all. I think the continued belief in god will sustain a very similar culture(as it pertains to religion/god beliefs impact) to what the country is now. And again. I don't think that will change for a very long time.
As with minority Demographics. Well..the country has no choice but to deal with that. You really can't change the numbers all that much unless something catastrophic happens. I think (from my pov ) the growing minority groups may have different view of our country's "progression" over the years toward their groups and cultures. And I think they will have their own ideas/hopes of where the country could and should be culturally and politically. I lastly think this change will be much more dramatic and will happen rather quickly....because I think...as a voting block, and more importantly as consumers they as a group, will be highly sought after by those looking to harness their collective power.
Just to be open and up front. I am early middle age, white, male. And just go with the flow with the demographic change.
Last edited by baystater; 06-04-2014 at 09:34 AM..
Based on MY observations, I'd say the Red Cross is at the forefront.
Does the Red Cross provide local free food pantries like many churches do? It is ridiculous and insulting to claim that Christian churches offer no good to society.
Here's word for word what you said. You did included those words "in times of tragedy," didn't you?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffbase40
You do realize that Christian churches are at the forefront of providing for the needs of people in times of tragedy, right?
My reply was simply that I see the Red Cross at the forefront, obviously in response to your remark about times of tragedy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mensaguy
Based on MY observations, I'd say the Red Cross is at the forefront.
Now, what in the world does whether the Red Cross operates food pantries have to do with your statement that Christian churches are there "in times of tragedy?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffbase40
Does the Red Cross provide local free food pantries like many churches do? It is ridiculous and insulting to claim that Christian churches offer no good to society.
Nowhere in my statement did I even hint that Christian churches (or any other churches) offer no good to society.
Are you trying to inflame this conversation? Don't accuse me, or any other poster of being ridiculous and insulting. If such a thing occurs, take care of it privately.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baystater
Define what is American Culture is please.
I honestly don't think overall that America is one giant monocultural country. And if anything the demographic shift from a majority white to a majority minority country will have much, much larger impact. I don't think Christianity and it's possible decline will have remotely the same level of impact from my pov.
Good point.
I think it would have been more accurate to talk about the perceived American Culture. Which roughly equates to the old 1950's version of a mother, a father, 2.5 kids, a dog, a white picket fence, suburbs, exceptionalism, anything is possible perspective.
Any one of those could be argued against, but I think you know what I am getting at. It's like pornography, tough to define, but one knows it when one sees it.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtur88
The point this pastor is missing, through the blindness of his zeal, is that there is nothing in the Christian Faith that directs the faithful to a civil behavior which is any better than the morality that is observed by practitioners of any of the non-Christian faiths, nor those with no religious faith at all.
Walk down the street in any heathen country, and you will be treated with exactly the same upstanding moral propriety that you would find in any southern Denny's at Sunday brunch. Morality and common decency are universal, "nominally through culture", irrespective of our pastor's bible-thumping. The veneer of Christian Faith that overlays the morality of human culture is of no importance. If anything, it erodes morality by fostering discriminatory faith-labeled judgmentalism among the citizenry, a-la the OP's pastor..
By the way, is Ed Stetzer a Pastor? Where in the blog does it identify him as such?
Not only is he a pastor, he has a couple of Doctrate degrees.
Israeli scholar Reuven Paz estimates that 90% of Hamas activities revolve around "social, welfare, cultural, and educational activities". Social services include running relief programs and funding schools, orphanages, mosques, healthcare clinics, soup kitchens, and sports leagues.
And one wonders why Hamas is popular in the Palestinian territories. They provide the basics. And yes, they ARE terrorists also.
Churches may do some good, but they have also been the source of much evil.
A very interesting discussion of why there supposedly majority of Americans who call themselves "Christian" are only that way nominally or through culture. He suggested only 25% of Americans are religious Christians and are so by conviction, and that total will continue to decline.
Particularly he discusses that the impact on American culture will dissipate. Left unsaid was the influence on public policy.
I view this as a very positive development, as long as there is no corresponding rise in any other Abrahamic religion.
Did you even read the article??
Very first sentence; Despite what many think, the church in America is not dying (and no serious researcher thinks that).
Regarding the three groups of Christians he identifies as cultural, congregational and convictional, each represents approximately 25% of the U.S. population. He said the cultural and congregational, the "squishy middle," nominal Christians are collapsing while the convictional all-out Christians remain steady and growing.
What he said is that the cultural and congregational Christians which now account for 50% of Christians will become the minority as the convictional Christians become larger.
If you'd understood the gist of the article the nominal Christians will fall away, while the convictional Christians will become more robust, get stronger, and increase.
Finally, he said this in his linked sister article; the sky is not falling. The Church is not dying. It is just being more clearly defined. Christians are not leaving the faith in droves, even though some people are screaming that loudly.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pastor Al
Did you even read the article??
Very first sentence; Despite what many think, the church in America is not dying (and no serious researcher thinks that).
Regarding the three groups of Christians he identifies as cultural, congregational and convictional, each represents approximately 25% of the U.S. population. He said the cultural and congregational, the "squishy middle," nominal Christians are collapsing while the convictional all-out Christians remain steady and growing.
What he said is that the cultural and congregational Christians which now account for 50% of Christians will become the minority as the convictional Christians become larger.
If you'd understood the gist of the article the nominal Christians will fall away, while the convictional Christians will become more robust, get stronger, and increase.
Finally, he said this in his linked sister article; the sky is not falling. The Church is not dying. It is just being more clearly defined. Christians are not leaving the faith in droves, even though some people are screaming that loudly.
People like you.
Nowhere does he say that the convictional Christians will become larger. What he does say is that they will become stronger in their conviction.
Which is reflected in some of the other Abrahamic religions. We tend to call those fanatical.
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