I think that's pretty much what I was trying to say too.I tend to think that rather than walking with God, Christ spent most of His ministry teaching those who would listen in how to walk "IN" God.
Upvote
0
I think that's pretty much what I was trying to say too.I tend to think that rather than walking with God, Christ spent most of His ministry teaching those who would listen in how to walk "IN" God.
I have no idea what you are talking about. I had hoped to have a conversation with you as a human being but I see now that is impossible for you.
I think if you move beyond a shallow parsing of the word, you might see that it doesn't work.If someone considers atheism to indicate nothing besides that, that would be the opposite of dogma. That statement limits it to its basic meaning and says that nothing else is inherently a part of atheism.
Well, I had a theory that the usability of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s was the key factor in the exodus of Christians into apostasy in the US. I suspected that there was an avalanche of people from all age groups losing faith in that time period as they were suddenly connected to skeptical information and groups. I expected this avalanche to be finished, so that now it would be only a trickle of young adults losing faith.
My theory doesn't seem to work. That is what I learned. (Of course this isn't a scientific survey.)
Yes, it is. That's because it's the greatest common denominator. Sure, most atheists might think X, but if that's not part of atheism itself, it shouldn't be part of the definition.Anyway, this is one of those things that is pointless to argue. I think the typical atheist definition of atheism is grossly oversimplified
I'm still not sure why you're choosing to use the word "dogma" here. Most people cling to the idea that atheism is "the lack of belief in gods" because that's what it is and that's what it means. Simple use of language is not dogma.but most of them cling to it like a religious person clings to dogma.
Very interesting...I don't think you're so off on this conclusion, but rather we might say the internet plays 'one part' in the ongoing growth of unbelief in the West. You might find the following M.I.T. related article interesting, Cloudy:
How the Internet Is Taking Away America’s Religion
I left a Calvinistic denomination for one that is considered mainline. For some folks of my former denomination I imagine it seems like a step toward apostasy, but I believe it was the right thing to do.
My theory is that it started with evolution being taught as science in schools. One of the things I hear the most is that younger people struggle with is Genesis and the creation account.Well, I had a theory that the usability of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s was the key factor in the exodus of Christians into apostasy in the US. I suspected that there was an avalanche of people from all age groups losing faith in that time period as they were suddenly connected to skeptical information and groups. I expected this avalanche to be finished, so that now it would be only a trickle of young adults losing faith.
My theory doesn't seem to work. That is what I learned. (Of course this isn't a scientific survey.)
Some of us who are not atheists are not counted at all? Why not?Very interesting...
25% decrease due to reduced religion in upbringing
25% decrease due to internet
50% decrease due to recent date of birth for unknown reasons
I wonder if the 50% unknown is simply that the 25% numbers didn't measure indirect effects? For example, I might spend many hours on the internet and become an atheist. Then I buy an Invisible Pink Unicorn t-shirt to wear to the next church picnic. People ask me about my shirt, and I begin telling them what I learned through the internet. So then some of my friends from the picnic become atheists as an indirect effect of my internet usage. They themselves didn't use the internet that much - they just went to a church picnic and saw my atheist t-shirt.
EDIT: New atheism is another factor. In the past, atheists were content to keep their disbelief private out of respect for the religious. 9/11 convinced some atheists to become more evangelistic.
Which is why we must remain strong in our relationship with God and not put anything others think or say to us in front of Him.Good for you for following what you believe to be a better path for you.
And of course, when you leave one group, who puts alot of importance on their beliefs, they will see anyone who 'deviates' from that belief as 'going astray'.
I think that has been one of my best decisions to date. To work out my feelings and actions with God and then not give a care what anyone else thinks.
Here is the link to the article referenced by @2PhiloVoidSome of us who are not atheists are not counted at all? Why not?
Also, can you explain a little further the 'recent date of birth' category?
Thanks. Now I understand..Here is the link to the article referenced by @2PhiloVoid
How the Internet Is Taking Away America’s Religion
The percentages measure the estimated role of various factors in the decline in Christianity in the US (25% due to less religion in homes, 25% due to internet use, 50% due to being born more recently for unexplained reasons)
Have you considered the verses you supplied may not be referring those who left, but to those who are still within?
Philippians 3:18-19 was where Paul was addressing the Judaizing teachers of that day, which were those who insisted that their co-religionists should follow the Law of Moses rather than the New Testament that had been brought about and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Yeah new one on me too, the term "co-religionists" came from Wikipedia, so I don't consider it a 'scholarly' source in the truest sense, but reference to whom Paul was addressing came from Bible commentary I found. I interpreted "co-religionists" to mean "fellow Christians."