Pew report shows American Christian numbers in decline

[Booko]

I can't say I'm too surprised, given "Nones" have been on the rise. It would be normal enough for those Nones to have been part of Christianity, given that's the largest religious group in the country.

Still, a bit of interesting research, as always:

US Christians numbers 'decline sharply', poll finds - BBC News

 

[Theway]

I can't say I'm too surprised, given "Nones" have been on the rise. It would be normal enough for those Nones to have been part of Christianity, given that's the largest religious group in the country.

Still, a bit of interesting research, as always:

US Christians numbers 'decline sharply', poll finds - BBC News

i think it's even worse than that as I see Nondenominationals as Christian Agnostics and Nondenominationals are the fastest growing religion outside of the nons.

 

[Hammster]

I can't say I'm too surprised, given "Nones" have been on the rise. It would be normal enough for those Nones to have been part of Christianity, given that's the largest religious group in the country.

Still, a bit of interesting research, as always:

US Christians numbers 'decline sharply', poll finds - BBC News

Since it is God who adds to the church, those who leave were never truly saved. There are lots of tares amongst the wheat.

 

[Sophrosyne]

i think it's even worse than that as I see Nondenominationals as Christian Agnostics and Nondenominationals are the fastest growing religion outside of the nons.

Umm.... are you trying to pen a new oxymoron in Christian Agnostic?

 

[Ironhold]

Since it is God who adds to the church, those who leave were never truly saved. There are lots of tares amongst the wheat.

It's statements like these which drive non-mainline Christians nuts.

You're essentially blaming the person for leaving by questioning their salvation.

It's a giant "No True Scotsman" fallacy.

 

[awitch]

It's a giant "No True Scotsman" fallacy.

And it only took the third post in the thread to get there.

 

[A New Dawn]

It's statements like these which drive non-mainline Christians nuts.

You're essentially blaming the person for leaving by questioning their salvation.

It's a giant "No True Scotsman" fallacy.

What it is is what the Bible says. But, just out of curiosity, doesn't the person leaving question their salvation? If they question it and decide it doesn't exist, then why should we not do the same.

That is not to say that they truly aren't saved, but since nothing can separate us from God, then if they are separated, either they were never God's, or they are struggling, in which case, they will return.

 

[Hammster]

It's statements like these which drive non-mainline Christians nuts.

You're essentially blaming the person for leaving by questioning their salvation.

It's a giant "No True Scotsman" fallacy.

Uh, no. I'm saying that it's God that builds His church. There are a lot of false Christians out there, and thus false churches.

I'm sorry if that affects your sanity.

 

[Red Fox]

And if I may ask, respectfully, how can you be sure that you're not a false christian?

 

[HammerOfThor]

those who leave were never truly saved.

I've always found this theological viewpoint very odd.

 

[HammerOfThor]

Umm.... are you trying to pen a new oxymoron in Christian Agnostic?

A christian agnostic would just be someone who is an uncertain christian, i think.

 

[MehGuy]

Yep, a Christian that does not subscribe to absolute certainty.

Honestly, probably describes a vast majority of Christians, whether they want to admit it or not.

 

[Hammster]

And if I may ask, respectfully, how can you be sure that you're not a false christian?

4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
Romans 4:4-8

 

[Hammster]

I've always found this theological viewpoint very odd.

M'kay.

 

[Red Fox]

4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
Romans 4:4-8

I'm confused, how is that an answer?

 

[Sophrosyne]

A christian agnostic would just be someone who is an uncertain christian, i think.

I think you really need to look up the definition of agnostic.

 

[HammerOfThor]

I think you really need to look up the definition of agnostic.

Agnosticism is the view that the truth values of certain claims – especially metaphysical and religious claims such as whether or not God, the divine or the supernatural exist – are unknown and perhaps unknowable.

 

[Hammster]

I'm confused, how is that an answer?

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28

In other words, I believe the promises of God and am thus saved.

 

[HammerOfThor]

In other words, I believe the promises of God and am thus saved.

So if someone believed those promises and then stopped believing those promises, they were saved and then they weren't, right?

 

[Red Fox]

I can't say I'm too surprised, given "Nones" have been on the rise. It would be normal enough for those Nones to have been part of Christianity, given that's the largest religious group in the country.

Still, a bit of interesting research, as always:

US Christians numbers 'decline sharply', poll finds - BBC News

That's an interesting article. Thank you for sharing it.