Report: Soon Fewer Than Half of Americans Will Be Christian

Quinn R Amaro

The New Testament made it clear this would happen

Quinn R Amaro

The New Testament made it clear this would happen

Rev Mary

Evangelicals are not true Christians and have commandeered Christianity for their own agendas which are often bigoted, heartless and cruel. The true message of Jesus was simple: love on another and do good to them. Thats it. All else is an agenda that he did not support and likely added much later. There are good compassionate people that follow Christ's message around the world, one of kindness, compassion. For all of you who do not know that or prefer to bash everyone who follows his true path, here is an example: https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/07/us/georgia-urban-farming-hunger-food-deserts-cnnheroes/index.html

Christopher Tracey Robertson

I want to point something out for consideration:

I've noticed since 2017 a true and growing Hostility towards people in society who identify as a Christian in general. A Mainstream Hostility. Whether it's attached to a political issue or a random feeling in the force. I also found that the #MeToo movement became a thing in 2017. So, I did a surface dive to quell my curiosity. I found that with every Major iteration within the Feminist Movement, the Christianity took a hit. I'm not surprised by this. I'll be the first person here to acknowledge that Christianity in its intended practice does not favor the ideals the majority of women have in present day society. The bible says that women should be Submissive. That's an immediate offence to the majority of the Modern Day Females. I find that amusing since it's actually a suggestion. "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.", is one of the most notable scriptures. That may seem like a command. It's not a command. It's a guideline. A positive guideline will lead to a positive outcome. That is just a fact of life.

I'll briefly share more about this: Females in current society still have the expectation that a male should be the major, primary or sole provider of the financial side of the relationship despite their having their careers and the super majority of legislation in their favor as a cushion to land on. With that understanding, why should any woman even want to submit to a male. She has no actual need for his resources as a provider. She can provide for herself.

I simply say Fair Enough. I do not know any males that really want to use their resources on a female they do not know. That is a losing investment.

That said, if a female has no desire to be submissive in a relationship she should have no desire to extract financial, emotional or time resources from a male. Simply put: that is just an annoyance. One person cannot have two heads and successfully navigate life. One of those heads would need to go dormant or submit to the other in order for anything to truly get done. If the male chooses the submissive role...

Does 50/50 work in a marriage. I'm going to simply say No. One of the two people is submitting to the other.

"However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." Here's another scripture that comes often. I don't even need to speak to this scripture. This scripture alone will offend the super majority of females in current society.

...going one layer deeper...

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ..." This scripture could probably incite a riot when said in public. This is a root cause item. Females can go on an application or website to do or initiate all of the listed things globally with ease and no accountability. The super majority of females do this, support this and/or champion this.

Now I'm going to ask those reading this to remove Christianity from the discussion.

Everything listed becomes a list of best practices that bring forth better outcomes.

-foolish talk, crude joking -sexual immorality, all impurity, covetousness

Each of those things are at war with Modern Day Feminism. Why would Christianity be a popular choice in current society? I simply expect it to decline knowing this. Simply this truth alone should cause Christianity to vanish from mainstream society. It is pretty much acceptable to be Christian-Phobic in current society.

Me being a Christian, Scientist, Minister, Veteran (Decorated/Honorable/USAF)... I am neither surprised nor without the expectation for Christianity to decline. I'd be delusional to think otherwise.

“I know who I am! I’m a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude!” – Kirk Lazarus

“Believe me when I say we have a difficult time ahead of us. But if we are to be prepared for it, we must first shed our fear of it.” – Morpheus

Christopher Tracey Robertson

Food for thought:

The Bible and God does not Condemn any Sin. The Bible and God Condemn the Practice of Sin.

That said any person or organization can Choose to say what Practices they Will Not Accept.

Therefore I will not speak of Homosexuality, here is a more controversial example: I know women who currently neglect and abuse their Son(s). I do not allow them to be part of my life. I can work at a job with them. I can be at an event with them. I can do a myriad of things with them. What I do not do is discuss anything of a personal nature with them. Whether it is about my life or their life. I simply do not entertain any personal relationships with them. Here the rub: People actually see me as the Villain.

One should recognize that people are not supposed to have a Personal Standard (in present day society). Why? If I have standards that conflict with another person's belief system (a belief system that does not bring positive outcomes), that alone presents Judgement. My actions will show another person what they are willing to accept. Conversely, other people have caused me to see what I am willing to accept. Here is the difference: I value that Judgement and I examine myself to see if I need to adjust my Actions accordingly.

I also argue that there are indeed many teachings both Biblical and Secular that teach Jesus and How to Love. I do this because I have successfully taught people how to Love the way Jesus Loves without ever mentioning the Bible or Jesus. I simply apply the practical and provide the outcomes available. The person then is accountable for the choice on how to proceed.

There are many Corruptions and Abuses happening right now in the world. The question is will one allow those things to affect their personal lives. Beyond that: What is one going to do if/when those things encroach into their personal space?

“There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” – Morpheus

Susan Christine Giganti

When corruption and abuses come forward , when new pastors are asked to leave a church because they are asking for acceptance of LGBT, when an office demands that people fill out a form stating their income for a tithe, these worldly things drive people away. It doesn’t mean people are not reading a Bible, or trying to love their fellow humans. it means they are not going to a building because for them , fellowship comes with prejudice. In my opinion, there is not enough core teaching about Jesus and the message of how to love one another. The message is love, not judgement. Teaching a prosperity gospel, and having modern and traditional services aren’t enough if the message isn’t seen in how people treat each other.

Christopher Tracey Robertson

The United States becoming more Secular shouldn't surprise anyone. I've seen the decline since 2005. The trend received more steam once social media embedded itself into society. Moreover, among all the scandals and misrepresentation of the Bible and 'Christian' community, the choice of being a 'Christian' or even mentioning 'Christianity' in public or on social media, is almost a clear road to being ripped apart in life in general.

So, while this is problematic, it's not without a very difficult solution. When I say Difficult, I'm actually being optimistic. The solution I see would surely place any one or group of people at odds with the Super Majority on all Social media.

I'll give three points to help your understanding:

1. 100% unified belief in the Bible as the Standard
2. 100% unified belief in Baptism (Why and How and When Baptism should happen
3. 100% unified belief that God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit are Real

I'm positive that there is no Unity in not arguing with those three points without even my expounding wit the practical applications needed to achieve those three things.

So, I'll just say this: The biggest problem is personal accountability. This needs to happen with Most men and the Majority of women. Unfortunately, the Majority of men are held accountable for lies and false accusations along with the fact that society says 'Being a Man simply Makes You Accountable for Everything You Do. Whereas for women, society dictates that You are Not Accountable for Your Behavior and Choices.

The "Legal" and 'Social Standards' pretty much make Christianity Impossible in this current Generation based on Personal Accountability alone.

The whole of the Christian Organization(s) needs to be rebuilt on solid truth or morals. The only other thing is to choose to be the Shrewd Person who is the Odd Man Out.

These are just the thoughts of a guy choosing to share. Feel free to dismiss what I said completely.

“I stand here, before you now, truthfully unafraid. Why? Because I believe something you do not? No, I stand here without fear because I remember. I remember that I am here not because of the path that lies before me but because of the path that lies behind me.” – Morpheus

Cindy L Edgar

Sadly to tell all you Christians paganism and polytheism are the two oldest beliefs out there still to this day I practice paganism and I am very much believe in many gods and goddesses not the false god that was made up by the christianities but nobody ever wants to hear the true facts everybody still believes there's only one God sadly and everybody wonders why nobody wants to be a Christian anymore cuz they're learning the truth

Pastor George Day

Faith

Belief in the absence of proof, supported by evidence which is not universally recognized (Ibid)

Pastor George Day

The Universal Life Church Monastery invites each of its ministers to define religious terms as they see fit, but for the purposes of this guide we shall define the following.

“Religion,” as ULC Monastery defines it, is a method by which a sentient entity can bring out some profound beneficial change. The ULC Monastery prefers this definition to all others because it encompasses all world religions as well as most other less prominent faith systems. One interpretation of this definition is that all religions have a way of expressing that humankind at large has some flaw.

The flaw makes all who possess it unsatisfied The flaw is the only cause of dissatisfaction A specific faith system is a way to relieve the flaw (Please note that while many definitions of religion will cover major world religions, this particular definition also respectfully applies to non-spiritual faith systems such as atheism.)

(From ULC Monastery guidelines)

Karen M Butler

I don't know why this is so surprising to some. Religion has had changes throughout history. I personally do not have any faith in religion overall but that doesn't mean I don't believe in God. I just don't care for the way the religions push their views onto a person. I can think for myself and I have come to the conclusion that God weeps. Some 'Christian' behavior is appauling. What goes on in your face as well as behind closed doors is downright sinful. A person of faith is kind not aggressive. As I look around at our world as it is today, religion does nothing more than cause wars and conflict between denominations, abuse of power and children, and is full of money hungry narcissists. I don't think this is what a loving God would want for us. And I wish we could have access to the true Bible, before the inclusions, exclusions, and delusions. I want to read and study the original story before it went through changes from scribes, languages, seperation into sects and politics. I don't think religion will disappear because everyone needs to belong to a group or a tribe even if they're a loner. Lonely people are alone together. So, no I don't think it'll leave us or that we will leave it. Everyone needs something.

Clayton Lee Pratt

As an atheist I find this news a relief. I've spent a lot of my life dealing with people forcing their religion on me unsolicited. It's extremely rude, on my own doorstep, grocery shopping, walking down the street, they are literally everywhere waiting to invade peoples personal space. Yes, goodbye religion. I only got ordained to help friends marry without religious influence.

Dianne McGuire

If an engineer "invents" or "creates" something, it is because it is thought to have purpose and value. It is thought that it has a place, a use, and will be used according to it's purpose. The "invention" is that of the inventor not the purchaser. Take guns for example, but more on that later. God created you. You are the invention of God. Of billions if sperm and billions of eggs over millions of years, it is miraculous that you are even here to debate the so-called hypocrisy and decline of Christianity. He gave each of us special gifts to be used for good. The fact that these gifts are misused or not used at all is not the "fault" of God or Christianity, which is one of the same. When inbGenesis the mention of "GodS" is made, many Christian scholars believe that refers specifically to "God the Father", "God The Son" and "God the Holy Spirit ". To those who identify Christians as hypocrites, I refer you to John 8:7 where Jesus listens to the argument of the Old Testament sentence of stoning a woman "caught in adultry". Jesus listened yet offered a NEW Testament consideration suggesting to the "jury" of "letting the sinless cast the first stone". The "jury" put the stones down and presumedly dispersed after being humbled by Jesus. It is not noted anywhere that I am aware of that Jesus took a vote to see if any of those ready to stone the woman were heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or another kind of sexual. He simply said, "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone". The book of Jude speaks specifically to sins of the flesh AND, I think it important to consider that sin is sin is sin, is sin. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit did not list "sin" in any numerical order. He (they) said "Repent and sin no more". Notice he didn't say, "Do it again and you will be stoned to death". No, he knew we would sin again and therefore took on the burden of sin and was sacrificed as proof that sin would continue in a broken world and that God's creations would be misused and would forever need confession, forgiveness and redemption. The temptations would always be presented. Whether or not the temptation is stronger than the purpose meant by the creator is a personal struggle between God and his creation NOT the stone- ready hypocrites who have placed themselves above God and think they know better than the Creator as to whether his invention is a good one. That's the argument against guns!!!. Guns are today's stones! The stones did nothing wrong! The question is "For what purpose were YOU created"? Are YOU using YOUR gifts and talents according to the purpose intended by YOUR Creator? If not, and you are judging others according to your own rules, you are similar, in my opinion, to the mass murderers who pick up a gun, enter a school or church or any other building and begin executing people because of some warped belief of having been wronged or misunderstood. Ask yourself your purpose on this earth is and whether it is being defined by you or for the purpose od your creator. The invention is that of the creator. It's very similar, in my opinion, to this diatribe if executing or stoning Christians for being sinners. "Let he who has not sinned, cast the first stone". Its about a personal relationship with your God(s). Read the Bible as though it was written specifically TO you and not FOR everyone else. Think of the Bible as a personal book written and as a personal gift given specifically to you. Think of art given to you by a child who loves you and made something special JUST FIR YOU because of how much you are lived and appreciated. Many of us have been give gifts that we personally wondered what in the world would we do with it. We wondered why on God's green earth would someone make that and even pay money for it and give it as a gift! And we put it on a shelf, regift it or give it ironically to Good Will. God did more than that for you. He created you with purpose that others may not understand, may mock you behind your back because they don't understand your purpose or worse, try to misuse you according to their agenda but consider the Creator. Consider the purchaser. Consider what it cost. God created you. You have a purpose and it was paid for with the blood of a redeemer.

Janis Carol Sommers

To think that no religions, other than Christianity, created the United States and that losing a Christian majority stronghold on this country is something to be worried about is born of being kept ignorant of the history of the people who have been here for thousands of years and other ethnic groups who have been made to assimilate to a majority religious rule. We only know a fraction of what people believed who settled here. Wise up. I cannot understand why this is an article of interest to any of us. Are we not inclusive of all beliefs?

Douglas Robert Spindler

THIS IS WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE SEE AND HEAR ABOUT CHRISTIANS.

The Catholic Church’s decades-long sex abuse scandal caught up with a Nobel Peace Prize winner Thursday, with the Vatican confirming that it had sanctioned the East Timor independence hero, Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, following allegations that he sexually abused boys there during the 1990s.

The Vatican admission came a day after a Dutch magazine, De Groene Amsterdammer, exposed the claims against the revered Catholic bishop, citing two of Belo’s alleged victims and reporting there were others who hadn’t come forward in East Timor, where the church wields enormous influence.

WHY WOULD ANY YOUNG PERSON WANT TO BE PART OF A CHRISTIAN ORGINIAZATION WHERE THEY MIGHT GET RAPPED AND MOLESTED BY A PERSON CLAIMING TO BE A REPRESENTITIVE OF GOD? ANSWER – THEY DON’T

Burruss Scott Williams

In 50 years? not soon enough

Keith A Weaver

I'm a Evangelical Christian and have no problem with evolution or the big bang theory. And definitely not a member of the religious right.

Thomas A. Follis

I haven’t lost my faith and honestly don’t think I ever will. However, due to the situation this country is in and where we’re headed, I probably won’t be the good Christian one might think.

Diana Lee Tyree

This is the time of the great falling away! Except for the shortening of time would no flesh be saved. Men have become so embolden that some have been turned over to reprobate minds. It is better for them to not believe that there is a mighty YHVWH GOD because they don't want the consequences for sin. Which is HELL, Death and destruction. Broad is the way that leads to destruction, narrow is the way that leads to life eternal. We who believe are not surprised by this great falling away because it was prophesied over 2,000 years ago. We are free moral agents, free to choose what road we travel in life but we are not free of the consequences of the destination. I choose relationship over religion, O choose to connect my spirit with the Holy Spirit that leads and guides into all truths. I don't know about you but anyone who knew over 2,000 years ago what would happen now in these end times has certainty got my attention! Amen Thank God for the Holy Writ 🙏 🙌 ❤️

High Priestess Vega

It is about time. I am an ecletic HP. I believe all religions hold some truths. Like I tell most, I am cool with Jesus but not his followers (most of the time). Man-made religion has caused more heartache, grief, pain, suffering, and divide than it is worth. It is far past time for religion to die out.

Minister Jeannine of the Church of the Free Spirit

America is not losing "its" religion! Religion should have stayed separate from "state"! This religious ideology of "Christianity" has done this to itself by getting intimately involved in politics, believe they are the superior morality police and forcing their religion on everyone in the entire nation and beyond! Their hatred and intolerance and expectations that the world be all like them is the cause of their decline! "They" are not God! And should not have placed idols of their worship before God in order to fulfill their desire to control the world!

Dianne McGuire

I'm sorry yours and others experience with Christian's has been less than Christian. I am a Christian. By definition, I am a human in need of mercy, grace and forgiveness. By definition, I am a hypocrite. By definition I am a work in progress. By definition I mess up repeatedly because I am a human living in a broken world. I'm never going to be perfect. NEVER. I am human. My church is a hospital for sinners not a place to cast judgment on others. We are taught scripture and we study ways to live more like Christ. Christ was an example of helping others, in forgiveness of others, in helping to heal others. He SERVED others. He did not wait to be served. He washed the feet of others. He was humble. As a Christian, that's what we are commanded to do. We are to live our God with all our heart, all our mind and all our being AND we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is what we are charged with working to attain. We are sinners first otherwise we wouldn't need Christ. We pull together and respond to crises on micro, macro and meso levels. Together we contribute more money to charities than any other group. But first, we are sinners. We need salvation. We are hypocrites. We go to church then get drunk and watch porn. We are sinners in need of forgiveness and salvation. We cheat on our taxes, we gossip, we cuss and live in domestic violence. We need Christ. We need fellowship. We need a scriptural message that helps us find our way. Research shows that we adopt and identify with the people we associate with. I choose to be with the hypocrites who recognize their need for redemption than with people who don't. I am a sinner. I need mercy, grace, forgiveness and redemption. I look to Christ for those things. I look to fellowship to hold me accountable. I am a practicing Christian. I would be blessed to bring you to the building where we worship and learn together. We the people are the church. The building is a hospital for sinners and we sinners meet together. We are not perfect. We never will be.

Richard Hinson

There has always been religious extremism in America. From the traveling evangelical tents of the dust bowl era through to today. The sad fact is, that extremism has infected more and more churches because it works. Here in my home town, there's not a single church that isn't also operating as a corporation. Laundering donations for causes big and small. Somehow the church elders and pastors seem to live in a nicer and nicer area of town.
When you see sex scandals, drug scandals, and what amounts to out right conman level money grabs by preachers of the word on an annual basis. When famous billion dollar churches have pastors on TV wearing ten thousand dollar suits. What are people supposed to think? It's obviously all about money. Once you see it in that light, you look back at history, at popes, and reformers, and again, it's all about money and power. To a soul seeking God and finding only hypocrisy, is it any wonder they give up? The earliest follows of the Nazarene did so in small groups, talking about the meaning of his words, not as a church, but as humans gathered seeking to be closer to God. I for one hope that Christianity, as it exists today in America, dies, fully, and absolutely, within my lifetime. I think if there's any hope for the works of that simple carpenter to have real meaning again in this nation, then the corrupt churches and the vile conmen feeding off them need to all die out.

Loraine Mussatti

I belong to an ELCA Lutheran church. It is difficult for me to stay committed as I relate to a more progressive Christianity model. I see how the numbers keep dwindling. When I bring up some of the things that need to change, I get this look like “go away”. We need to eliminate the archaic creeds that really make no sense anymore. If the church could be willing to move into the present, we may be able to salvage it. Following the words of a Jesus is still exciting and are ageless, but reciting creeds that science has proved irrelevant need to be eliminated. I have hope💞

Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

When the Hebrew God told Moses (by originally giving him 936 commandments ( ten, of which, are the most important) he (the Hebrew God) told Moses not to have any other Gods before him.

And Gods is plural - because before the Hebrews figured out — that no one had any idea about what God was supposed to be— they (the rabbis collectively) decided to tell their sheeple (today’s churchgoers) that there was only one God — and that only after long years of intensive study — could anyone comprehend the Hebrew God.

So, if a sheep, asked his rabbi — who, what, where, why, or whatever— is the Hebrew God supposed to be — the rabbi told them it would take twenty years to learn what the rabbi did, so sheeple should believe everything the rabbi told them — if they didn’t have 20 years to unravel the Hebrew God mumbo-jumbo.

The Catholics kept worshiping dozens or so Gods — by simply calling their plethora of Gods saints — and that’s that.

When Nietzsche (Birthday, 10/15) concluded that “the Christian God was dead” he didn’t mean that there actually was a Christian God who died— what Nietzsche had figured out was now that Europeans had science — they no longer needed a God to explain man’s place in the universe.

Judy Henry

I’ve read all above comments and they are fascinating. I agree with many of them. IMHO I also believe the reason people are not-identifying with “Christianity” is because the term has been tarnished by the stereotype of hypocrisy. Much like other religions have their negative stereotypes, Christianity has now become synonymous with the current politics of evangelism, conspiracies and far right, extremism. Younger people aren’t having it. Despite the assault on education—which includes book banning, and restrictions on truth (replaced by “ alternative facts”)— young people still crave rational and reasonable philosophies to help them make sense of the world. They are smart enough to see gross hypocrisy. Per this specific discussion on Christianity, I believe that until the loudest Christian sects return to their roots of compassion, love, and service to those less fortunate and in need, and away from their reputation as partisan political machines, they will continue to dwindle into obscurity, and become relevant only to the vacillating whims of political cults.

Judy Henry

I’ve read all above comments and they are fascinating. I agree with many of them. IMHO I also believe the reason people are not-identifying with “Christianity” is because the term has been tarnished by the stereotype of hypocrisy. Much like other religions have their negative stereotypes, Christianity has now become synonymous with the current politics of evangelism, conspiracies and far right, extremism. Younger people aren’t having it. Despite the assault on education—which includes book banning, and restrictions on truth (replaced by “ alternative facts”)— young people still crave rational and reasonable philosophies to help them make sense of the world. They are smart enough to see gross hypocrisy. Per this specific discussion on Christianity, I believe that until the loudest Christian sects return to their roots of compassion, love, and service to those less fortunate and in need, and away from their reputation as partisan political machines, they will continue to dwindle into obscurity, and become relevant only to the vacillating whims of political cults.

Donald Michael Woodward

It is time for individuals to learn to know their God and not their religion. Religions require belief and faith, while learning to know their God requires an examination of how their God interacts with them in their daily life. No need to believe or have faith, simply examine how God provides opportunity to know what God is.

Greg Formoe

As they walked along, Jesus said to John, “John, do you love me?” And when John answered, “Yes, Master, with all my heart,” the Master said: “Then, John, give up your intolerance and learn to love men as I have loved you. Devote your life to proving that love is the greatest thing in the world. It is the love of God that impels men to seek salvation. Love is the ancestor of all spiritual goodness, the essence of the true and the beautiful.” This, is what churches would do well to focus on. Not politics.

Greg Formoe

I think a lot of it, is churches focusing on sin, instead of love. Who wants to come to a place that makes you feel unwelcome? Churches that are real, focus on helping the poor, not harassing people who are different. Politics, has absolutely NO PLACE in church. As they walked along, Jesus said to John, “John, do you love me?” And when John answered, “Yes, Master, with all my heart,” the Master said: “Then, John, give up your intolerance and learn to love men as I have loved you. Devote your life to proving that love is the greatest thing in the world. It is the love of God that impels men to seek salvation. Love is the ancestor of all spiritual goodness, the essence of the true and the beautiful.”

Jack A Mabry

How can I believe in a God that would continue to allow Putin to exist!

Candace Sue Singleton

I was baptized as Christian and tried to do my best by that faith, but life managed to make me too busy to work on it. I became divorced 1988 and was feeling lost so I started going to Church again. That's when the Church added the last straw. They told me that I needed to return to my husband and let God decided if I should be divorced or not. My ex-husband is an alcoholic and abusive, but I tried to work things out with him and all it did was cause me more misery and upset. So I parted way again with my ex-husband and with Christianity.

I have now found my peace and direction in Paganism.

My thoughts on being a Minister are these ... Who are we, as human individuals, to tell another person that their beliefs/religion is wrong? There are far TOO MANY organized religions out there for any ONE religion to claim theirs is the one and only. I want to serve any and all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. I believe that Divine Energy filled the Universe. It's there for everyone to reach for and that Divine Energy doesn't deny anyone.

Too often people have negative or incorrect thoughts/ideas in regard to other religions. It is my goal to create a group of individuals (from any and all religions) that can come together and "talk", teach one another about their beliefs without jamming it down our throats. We all have the right to peace of mind and spirit. Sometimes, that can happen by just talking to someone.

Christianity is declining because the majority of Christians are in the "slowly going nuts" category created by political lies. As these so-called Christians keep trying to make insane laws based on their beliefs, people will leave and search elsewhere if at all.

We need to speak in terms of spirituality and kindness toward our fellow human beings. Our society is becoming too "me, me, me". We need to open back up to our fellow man and not judge them or berate them.

Donald G Magel

Trump and his small c christian followers who selected him as their chosen one are leading the way to at least an Agnostic country. They are proving that while Christ was a real and humane man, they have no idea who he was or what he preached and modeled. I expect that the "c" right will be demanding beheadings and burnings at the stake for any disparagement of their trumpie.

Richard Lee Cornell

If you have read the Torah you can question most of it as has been done for centuries. If you read the Christian Bible which was written first by Jews then by Romans and do not question it the problem is in you and not the Bible.Those books were written when the distant a human could see what was in front of him and the smallest was what he saw looking down. In 1776 the founding fathers did a wise thing with religion no one religion can rule of the rest of us and it they try to do invoke the 2rd.

Elizabeth Ashley Woods

It is my hope that with the assistance of the psychedelic revolution humanity will shift into being more in-tune with the earth, shed judgement, embody “Christ consciousness”, and create a more beautiful and peaceful existence.

Jerry Chris Petty

I'm a Christian and you can be too, I believe that Christianity is not a religion it is only Christianity, and any person that professes Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, knows in their heart that Jesus was crucified for the world's sins and was risin, repents and is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost will be saved by the grace of God, Jesus is coming back and soon in my personal view and he's not coming to be nice on the return trip, the only judgment on anyone that really matters is the one coming from the Lord himself, anyone else who has past judgment on anyone means nothing and they will also be judged. Moral of the story folks is .... the end will come and all will be judged. I pray every soul be ready for it, Amen

AetherAgent

This isn’t a sign that people are losing their religion; it’s a sign that they’re finding it. Ancient wisdom didn’t view religion as a set of rules to follow without question or views to believe with blind faith. To be religious meant that you were a seeker of the fundamental Truth of our existence.

If your search led to a revelation that your long held, cherished beliefs were based in illusion or fiction, you wasted no time abandoning them. And that is exactly what is happening.

This is the true meaning of the Mayan prophecy that 2012 would bring great change to the world. It didn’t foretell the end of the world. It marked the end of a cycle and the beginning of an awakening. You are not viewing a collapse of religion. You are viewing the death of ignorance and the birth of an enlightened humanity.

Michael Burton

Christian evangelical movements have come and gone through out US history,from the "Great Awakening" of the 18th Century to the recent "patriotic evangelicalist' of today. Each has had political ramifications that evetually tempers the sharp edges of the movements. Meanwhile, human knowledge of the universe has deepened; we know more about our place and space than ever before and this has lessened our need for "god' answers to the unknown. Still the mystery of "why" remains unanswered and organized religion will try to answer that question, for better or worse.

Randy C Hamilton

I'm betting a LOT sooner than that!!! Thanks to education and the complete failure of ALL religions to prove any of their imaginary mystical magical claims. I only do secular weddings and we, as a group, who actually think for ourselves, are growing fast.

Rev. Dr. Father JJ

There is a custer's-last-stand/remember-the-alamo mentality ongoing in the US for fear chrstns are losing their majority; goppers are ready to decree the US is a chrstn nation (think how putin announcing ukrain is russian then makes ukrain russian; like that).

By declaring the US to be a chrstn nation the goppers will begin to act; first with prayers (only approved, chrstn white ones though) in all schools, offices, government buildings, public and sporting events and with SCOTUS decisions in favor of chrstns (mostly white chrstns of course), to having to be a chrstn for employment or public office (fully backed by the now-chrstn CSCOTCUS (or Chrstn Supreme Court Of The Chrstn United States)).

The chrstn panic nigh approaches as diminishing numbers of people claim to be chrstn. It can all be lost in one generation and so I foresee schools becoming fully chrstn-ized (supported by tax-payer monies) and making sure every child is thoroughly 'educated' in it (think how texas teaches about texas in every grade level and how they celebrate texas and how everyone practices being a good texan (in fact I bet texan chrstns are better at being texans than they are at being chrstns))

One would think that people who profess to follow the jesús would be better people overall but sadly being a follower of jesús seems to give them certitude that they are correct (and thus better) in their outlook and, as it gives them dominion over all living things it apparently includes dominion over those non-chrstn/non-white folk (mostly the ones that jesús loved (supposedly)). Why is it so many followers of jesús don't act in the way jesús is supposed to have acted. They instead act more like the people jesús spoke out against. I wonder if jesús gets irony?

JT of the plains

The major reasons I see that people are abandoning the "Christian" churches are because those facilities are now becoming politically driven cults, rather than legitimate Christian houses of worship.

Amber Fry

News flash. Christianity isn't the only religion out there. There are a great many others. Also not being religious doesn't automatically mean atheist. There is a wide range of agnostic and spiritual paths out there that people have been exploring. It doesn't mean they are walking away from everything... just the church specifically. Many hold onto a belief of something greater and decide the church is just not the way any more.

J. K. Ivey

I am an agnostic Christian who has spent the better part of 60 years in the faith. I believe in the religion “of” Christ. I do not believe in the religion “about” Christ. Man has now made God in his own image. Judgmental haters who are sexist, racist, misogynistic, and homophobic. Think the Catholic Church was wrong for condemning Galileo to house arrest in 1633 for saying the earth was round? Come down to Texas and see doctors accused of felonies for saving a woman’s life who has an ectopic pregnancy. Or a pregnancy that’s a result of rape. They have weaponized their religion, to justify attacks on anyone who is not just like them. Jesus said to love God, and to love your neighbor as yourself. “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:40). People are going to continue leaving the church unless it can get back on message. Love, humility, service.

Scott Edward McCoy

Does it matter?

Seriously, if it does matter to a person that there will be less Christians over a period of time (or any religion for that matter), that person needs to ask themselves "why?".

Why might a person be concerned with less religion in the country - an honest answer may be more shocking than the declining rate of believers.

Kathleen Harron Zea

It would be a good thing for secular life in general if we could stop the ridiculous litmus test of Christianity for politicians andmany others. Paying lip service to religious faith is an exhausting exercise. Religious freedom also means freedom from religion and it would be a good thing for atheists never to have to hear again that they can have no moral center without belief in a deity.

But I don't think it matters who is a "real" Christian. I don't think that calling the US a Christian nation is going anywhere. I don't think we will ever achieve true separation of church and state. I don't believe Christians have anything to worry about here. And the tithing and lip service will continue, in my opinion. Of course, this is just my opinion based on personal experience. I realize that I'm making blanket statements here that don't apply to everyone.

Maureen Tighe-Brown

Until reading this article, I had no idea that "universal" was only for christians. What a disappointment.

James Bullard

As a PK (preacher's kid) I long ago observed that a significant percentage of any congregation went to church for what I call 'afterlife insurance'. They aren't firm in their adherance to their denomination's beliefs but attending church gave them a sense of community and psychological comfort.

Karl Axel Lindström

this just seam healthy to me... i mean most of europe is kinda unintrested in religion at least no one is really pushing it anywhere near where the US does with religion..

and i mean half of the things people in the Us belive dosen't even come from scripture... its all so inter tangled with politics and group identity and just messy....

dialing it down can only improve things if you ask me.

by i am swedish so my bias is towards "lagomt" i.e enought...i.e dont over do it... just enought... we are not really that religious here in sweden.. like old people may go to the church to listen to the music on x-mas but never go near a church otherwise lol

Richard Darwin Richards

Is it just a coincidence that as the US turns to atheism we are also fast turning into a third world dump?

Ronaldo

This article claims that 90% of Americans were Christian before the early 1990s, but prior to that time, I had seen different results from the polls, and I'm uncertain of their accuracy. The other polls show that 70%, 75%, and occasionally more Americans claimed to be Christian, but during the times when three quarters of American citizens touted their belief in Christ, prayer was removed from schools and the Ten Commandments were removed from our courthouses and other public buildings. "In God We Trust" remained on the money, but there were attempts to remove it, as well. If so many Americans were actually Christian, how did these things happen? I've been Christian for several decades and was very active in the church most of that time. Today, I am unchurched, as I moved to a new city, and have yet to find a church that appeals to me. This does not mean I have given up Christianity, however. Many Christians could be in the same situation as I, still following Christ, but not belonging to any organized religion.

Richard DellaValle

The sooner Christianity is gone, the better. I became a minister of the Universal Life Church because I wanted to declare my separation from the Christian Church – of which I was a serious part for 24 years. Christianity is a pagan religion based on previous myths such as Osiris, Zeus, etc., The more I studied the Bible, the more I became convinced that the God of the Old Testament was a figment of evil imagination, a butcher, a sadist, and a misogynist. He even condoned slavery. The New Testament compounded things by claiming that Jesus was God. If I have no respect for butcheries of the OT god, how can I respect the NT god? I cannot accept that the true creator of the Universe would condemn anyone or anything He created. “Believe in me or perish in eternal torment” is an ugly message and must be obliterated. I live as a humanist, helping others as I would like them to help me. I cannot shake the “feeling” that there is a Creator but He/She/It is a silent God and loves, doesn’t hate his creation, and wants nothing but the best for us. If there is a heaven for us to share in an afterlife, I am positive that we will ALL participate, not just those who have faith in Jesus. If anyone wishes to discuss this further, I can be reached at richdellavalle6@gmail.com. May the Creator bless you all and show you a good path to follow.

Sylvia Sue King

I was raised in the Faith of God but as I entered adulthood, I questioned what I had been taught, we go about our daily lives sinning and then on Sunday we go to church and ask for our sins to be forgiven. Why do we do this why is it we can sin and then be forgiven? I am 66 years old, and my feelings have become stronger on why we read the bible but pretty much go against everything in it. Is the bible really the words of God and Jesus, it was written by men who wrote what they believed God said where is the proof that these are Gods words and thoughts its only paper, where are the tablets the commandments where wrote on, where is the proof of any of teachings of Christianity? Where is the proof that we go to Heaven or to Hell, it's hard to just go by faith when so many suffer, it hard to keep faith when innocents die without really living a life. I have been alive these 66 years and there is still no proof that any of this is real, and we are told you have to have faith.

Terry Essmaker

Too many fake preacher out there has corrupted people about God

Nicole Niebrzydowski

Christianity is “falling off” due to the immense hatred that’s often spewed; this unkind behavior adulterates the very idea of God being LOVE (as cited in 1st Jn. 4:8). If in fact, God “is love”, how can his people so eagerly hate others? Unfortunately said hatred is pushing people away from the very Loving God that they claim to worship. If we “Love one another” as Christ has loved us we’d grow rapidly. Christin churches are now filled with Judge, Jury & executioners; this must change. We don’t have to like everyone but by golly, we need to love them and be kind. Love one another as Christ has told us to do!!!

Govannon Thunorwulf

I found it interesting that there is no mention of the fact that many branches of Paganism are growing. In fact there is no mention of Paganism at all. Ignoring the this fact doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

NLilly

In a society wherein GOD ALMIGHTY is denounced and rebelled against, because of many choosing the path of unrighteousness and sinful pleasures, well yes, it is a very disturbing, disheartening, & frightening thing for America to lose her faith in GOD ALMIGHTY & His Son JESUS CHRIST.

To turn one's back on JESUS CHRIST is to turn and walk away from the Gift of GOD ALMIGHTY'S Salvation Plan of gaining Eternal Life through His Son JESUS. So if this is in fact the lifestyle many are embracing, to believe in nothing, whether Old or Young, is totally up to that individual.

But, as for me and my house, We shall continue serving the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, through His Obedient Son CHRIST JESUS! ♥ After All Of The OUTSTANDING GOOD & Mind Blowing Grace & Mercies I Have Witnessed & Received In The Holy Godhead through Life's Experiences, I Simply Will Not Walk Away! No Matter Who Does! AMEN JESUS! Why Give Up Eternal Life? I Won't! ♥ ♥ To GOD The Father, GOD The Son (JESUS CHRIST), & God The Holy Ghost & Holy Spirit, I Give All The Glory In My Life! 24/7! No Shame Here! AMEN HOLY GHOST! ♥ ♥ AMEN LORD JESUS! ♥ ♥ ♥

Rev. MichaelRS

Women have control over their bodies. They just not should not have arbitrary control over the other person's body growing inside of them.

What nonsense are you speaking when you say Christians are saying "women like to get raped". Nobody calling themselves a Christian says anything of the sort.

Yes, men and women, of ALL faiths, have done evil in the name of their faith.

It's not just Christians that have issues with homosexuality. Why aren't you ragging on how that issue is treated in Muslim communities. For the most part Christians will only tell you that you are going to hell for it. Muslims are likely to try to personally send you there on the double quick by throwing you off a roof.

Cheryl Anne Hamm

The only thing Christianity taught me in the first 2 decades of my life was self loathing, and no sense of self. I wanted to be totally worthy in Gods eyes but every Sunday sermon brought more guilt, more self hate until I couldn't take being such a sinner and condemned to hell. So I tried to do God a favor and tried to take my own life. I found more peace and inclusion in Wiccan, Paganism, and Buddhism. With Christianity losing steam I feel hope for the lost ones, the exiled, the emotionally tortured, that they can find their way without overwhelming voices of hypocrisy, violence, and judgment, and embrace solace in the spiritual God of all.

Douglas Robert Spindler

Oh it's happening faster than everyone thinks. Look at all the silly things "Christian" politicians are saying in the name of God? Women have no control over their bodies. Women like to get rapped. God needs your money. Priests, pastors and ministers rape young children and women. Homosexuality is a sin. A loving young married couple of two women should not be allowed in a Christian community.

When will this Christian haltered end? Answer is simple, when there aren't anymore Christians. These are just some of the many reasons why young people today think Christians are dope/stupid and don't want to be associated with the Christian religion.

Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

Whenever possible, I ask anyone who self-identifies as a Christian, what they consider necessary (mandatory) in order to be a Christian.

For example: Are all Christians required to love all of their neighbors — or just the members of their own Christian tribe; they can still hate and discriminate against those not in their particular tribe.

Another example. Are Christians actually supposed to love, worship and otherwise adore, the Jewish God who drowned everyone on Earth, and arranged to have his only son tortured to death — so that only Christians would eventually end up in the Christian Heaven— because only Christians who believe in the Holy Ghost (not the Holy Spirit) will be granted entry into eternal life in the Christian Heaven?

If the mythological Jesus was (still is) gay — does a Christian before entering the Christian Heaven— required to “love the gay” in order to placate Jesus and also the Holy Ghost (Who’s also gay, but gay in his heart only).

When these questions are answered — the actual number of “real Christians” is less than one percent — the rest of them (the phony Christians) just profess to be Christians— because in doing so, they can hate gays, females, minorities, those of different faiths, and liberals who use science to understand reality — rather than a reliance on medieval superstitious nonsense — exclusively.

And, I have two DD’s from the ULC, plus four other ULC doctorates in all the other subject areas, which enables me to be more Christian-like ( because I follow the Golden Rule) than any Christian I know.

Canadian Yankee

In the thirties and forties many German Jews stood up for their religion, acknowledging their faith publicly. Today in America it is easier to say "I am a Christian." than not to acknowledge being part of the group. However I wonder how deep the faith is for many ot them. Would they acknowledge their faith as the German Jews did or deny the belief faced with the same options.

I think that many fewer in our nation are truly commited to Christianity.

Matthew Mastrogiovanni

I doubt this, but hope that one day the patriarchy will fall.

Lionheart

I’m sure that even the half of those that say they are Christian, are only Christian in name only, from what I know about them. Few ever really read the Bible, and many have poor morals in treating their fellow human beings with respect, as often evidenced on here by many who profess to be Christian, then write abusively of others on here that don’t have the same belief system. All we can do is try and love them as best we can. 🤷🏼

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