Pew report shows American Christian numbers in decline

[A New Dawn]

Not only have Christians tried to impose their beliefs on me, in law, at work, and in my private life.

They are trying to remove my sick daughter's MEDICINE and return her to a state where she cannot function at all, because of their unscientific, antiquated ideas about what hormone treatment does and is good for.

They have inserted their proselytizing into "mandatory" staff meetings at a secular company, proclaimed "prayer meetings" and then literally slammed the door in the face of any but Their Own Kind.

They have colluded and LIED in order to remove me and others Not Of Their Kind from their jobs, when I was 8 months pregnant no less.

How Very Christian Of Them to try to push my family into homelessness and poverty.

Well honey you asked for it, you got it, Toyota.

THIS is why the best thing I can say about Baptists in the South is to remain silent.

Too bad you don't live on the same planet the rest of us live on.

And maybe it is in the scope of discussion, because it explains a LOT about why so many people are leaving and the rate of that is on the rise.

Too many people do not have the honor of knowing the decent Christians still out there. All they see is this ungodly behaviour and the hate speech, and they go No Thanks!

What have the "far-leaning left" imposed on me? Nothing.

Actually, though, it is still just a few that do that. Most of the country's Christians are moderate. And the far-leaning left have imposed their lack of belief on me. And now they are trying to force churches to do things they said they would not when the issue of homosexual marriage began. They most certainly have done more to force me to not be able to practice my beliefs than Christianity has done to force the population, in general, into adhering to theirs.

Perhaps the reason we see things so differently is because of where we live. I live in the ultra-liberal NE USA where sick things are shoved down my throat and I am forced to accept as "normal". I'm sorry that you have been treated that way by people who call themselves "Christian". Do you care that liberals have forced their agendas on others?

But as far as one of your comments from another post, it is the Muslims who are forcing their beliefs on others. They have done more in Europe because they have been there in greater numbers, but it is catching up here. When people are killed by Muslims and threatened because of drawing stupid cartoons, when Muslims try to set up their own sharia courts to deal with problems when they disagree with American laws, then, yes, Muslims are forcing their beliefs on us.

 

[LoAmmi]

And now they are trying to force churches to do things they said they would not when the issue of homosexual marriage began.
.

Where has a church been forced to do anything with regard to marriage period?

 

[A New Dawn]

Where has a church been forced to do anything with regard to marriage period?

There have been several court cases where churches were taken to court for not performing a homosexual marriage. I'll have to look it up, but the first time was about a year ago.

 

[LoAmmi]

There have been several court cases where churches were taken to court for not performing a homosexual marriage. I'll have to look it up, but the first time was about a year ago.

What was the outcome of those cases? Want to look them up you can, but I would venture to guess the churches won roughly 100% of the time. So, no church has ever been forced to perform a marriage.

 

[smaneck]

They won't. The only reason someone will believe is because they've been born again. They are given a new heart.


Those that walk away were never saved.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19

What to do when someone pulls a verse out of their scripture and says it applies to you, when it does not at all fit who you are? Are you left with any other choice but to say that religion has no terms for your existence?

 

[smaneck]

Well thats a convenient way to cover all the holes in a heretical OSAS theology.

And completely deny the reality of other people's existence in the process.

 

[smaneck]

The only homosexuals I know who have tried to change a church were members of the church in question, and they fought for the changes they wished through the church itself. They most certainly did not appeal to secular authorities outside of the church. How exactly have they stopped you from practicing your own beliefs?

As for Muslims resorting to violence when their religious sensibilities are offended, perhaps you don't remember all the violence when the movie The Last Temptation came out. As for setting up shariah courts to resolve their own disputes how does that in any way, for their beliefs on you? Even in Islamic countries shariah courts ordinarily only apply to Muslims. In the West, such courts (if there are any) would likely deal only with issues of family law. Do you think Jews are forcing their religion on you because they go to a rabbinical court for a divorce get?

It truly amazes me, how in a country where Christians are the overwhelming majority they still manage to see themselves as victims.

Actually, though, it is still just a few that do that. Most of the country's Christians are moderate. And the far-leaning left have imposed their lack of belief on me. And now they are trying to force churches to do things they said they would not when the issue of homosexual marriage began. They most certainly have done more to force me to not be able to practice my beliefs than Christianity has done to force the population, in general, into adhering to theirs.

Perhaps the reason we see things so differently is because of where we live. I live in the ultra-liberal NE USA where sick things are shoved down my throat and I am forced to accept as "normal". I'm sorry that you have been treated that way by people who call themselves "Christian". Do you care that liberals have forced their agendas on others?

But as far as one of your comments from another post, it is the Muslims who are forcing their beliefs on others. They have done more in Europe because they have been there in greater numbers, but it is catching up here. When people are killed by Muslims and threatened because of drawing stupid cartoons, when Muslims try to set up their own sharia courts to deal with problems when they disagree with American laws, then, yes, Muslims are forcing their beliefs on us.

P

 

[KnowHisJoy77]

"Fakers who don't go to church are just giving up the pretense."



http://www.usatoday.com/story/opini...cans-christians-evangelicals-column/27198423/

 

[KnowHisJoy77]

In my area I see no decline but growth.

 

[Blue Wren]

I don't think the poll results are much of a surprise

 

[Hammster]

What to do when someone pulls a verse out of their scripture and says it applies to you, when it does not at all fit who you are? Are you left with any other choice but to say that religion has no terms for your existence?

Christianity does have terms for your existence.

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,
15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14-15

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:5-7

 

[Niblo]

The only homosexuals I know who have tried to change a church were members of the church in question, and they fought for the changes they wished through the church itself. They most certainly did not appeal to secular authorities outside of the church. How exactly have they stopped you from practicing your own beliefs?

As for Muslims resorting to violence when their religious sensibilities are offended, perhaps you don't remember all the violence when the movie The Last Temptation came out. As for setting up shariah courts to resolve their own disputes how does that in any way, for their beliefs on you? Even in Islamic countries shariah courts ordinarily only apply to Muslims. In the West, such courts (if there are any) would likely deal only with issues of family law. Do you think Jews are forcing their religion on you because they go to a rabbinical court for a divorce get?

It truly amazes me, how in a country where Christians are the overwhelming majority they still manage to see themselves as victims.



P

Hello Susan,

Sharia courts (more accurately known as Sharia councils) have been operating in the UK for around thirty years. There are reported to be around eighty-five such councils, but the true figure could be higher. They operate under the Arbitration Act. This allows consenting adults (and only Muslim adults) to resolve civil or commercial disputes; provided this does not conflict with UK law. In most cases the arbitrator’s decision is binding.

As far as I’m aware, Sharia councils in other European countries operate in much the same way. Without doubt they are all subject to the laws of the country in which they are based; and this is how it should be.

Have a good day.

 

[A New Dawn]

The only homosexuals I know who have tried to change a church were members of the church in question, and they fought for the changes they wished through the church itself. They most certainly did not appeal to secular authorities outside of the church. How exactly have they stopped you from practicing your own beliefs?

As for Muslims resorting to violence when their religious sensibilities are offended, perhaps you don't remember all the violence when the movie The Last Temptation came out. As for setting up shariah courts to resolve their own disputes how does that in any way, for their beliefs on you? Even in Islamic countries shariah courts ordinarily only apply to Muslims. In the West, such courts (if there are any) would likely deal only with issues of family law. Do you think Jews are forcing their religion on you because they go to a rabbinical court for a divorce get?

It truly amazes me, how in a country where Christians are the overwhelming majority they still manage to see themselves as victims.



P

You've not been watching the news, then, lately? And you buy into the concept that all one has to do is be offended and they can lash out? Why should Christians be any different from anyone else then? If people can lash out at us for being offended, we should be able to lash out at them. Is that what you are saying? Tit for tat? Let's be real. Grown people should know how to deal with being offended. I look at the world today and shake my head and wonder how things got so far out in left field, and then go on with my life. I don't take people to court just because what they do offends me.

 

[bhsmte]

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.

I see it as a defense mechanism for some Christians.

If someone has a certain faith belief, it can be difficult for them to accept that someone who used to believe in what they believe, could figure out later, they were wrong about it and they left the belief.

Bottom line, it is quite healthy, to adjust one's beliefs, as we acquire knowledge we did not possess before. With some though, faith beliefs are off limits to these changes.

 

[Theway]

Ironically though, most nondenominational churches I've encountered are very similar in theology.

Yes... However it's like I said. The things they do believe and preach are so ambiguous and watered down by so many platitudesas to render the message useless. But hey they've got some good loud music.

 

[Theway]

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[Theway]

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[Theway]

""."..............

 

[Theway]

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[drstevej]

Yes... However it's like I said. The things they do believe and preach are so ambiguous and watered down by so many platitudesas to render the message useless. But hey they've got some good loud music.

The Mormon message is consistently heretical. That's an improvement?

 

[smaneck]

Hello Susan,

Sharia courts (more accurately known as Sharia councils) have been operating in the UK for around thirty years. There are reported to be around eighty-five such councils, but the true figure could be higher. They operate under the Arbitration Act. This allows consenting adults (and only Muslim adults) to resolve civil or commercial disputes; provided this does not conflict with UK law. In most cases the arbitrator’s decision is binding.

As far as I’m aware, Sharia councils in other European countries operate in much the same way. Without doubt they are all subject to the laws of the country in which they are based; and this is how it should be.

Have a good day.

That would certainly make sense. And there is no question of their being able to administer hudud punishments.

 

[smaneck]

You've not been watching the news, then, lately? And you buy into the concept that all one has to do is be offended and they can lash out? Why should Christians be any different from anyone else then? If people can lash out at us for being offended, we should be able to lash out at them. Is that what you are saying? Tit for tat? Let's be real. Grown people should know how to deal with being offended. I look at the world today and shake my head and wonder how things got so far out in left field, and then go on with my life. I don't take people to court just because what they do offends me.

Sorry, the above has absolutely nothing to do with what I said.

 

[smaneck]

Christianity does have terms for your existence.

As I said, no terms for my existence. You don't even have to know who I am and you can make false judgments about me based on some verse you found somewhere.

 

[Niblo]

That would certainly make sense. And there is no question of their being able to administer hudud punishments.

No!