Christianity on the Decline, Survey Finds

More people are rejecting all religion.

SUMMARY: Christianity isn't as dominant in our nation today as it was 20 years ago, a new survey has found. According to the American Religious Identification Survey from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., 75% of Americans now call themselves Christian, but the figure was 86% in 1990. A growing rejection of all religions appears to be the major factor in the decline rather than any significant increase in other faiths.

The survey did find that "born-again" or evangelical Christianity is growing while the membership of mainline denominations such as the Episcopal or Lutheran churches continues to fall. On the other hand, Mark Silk of Trinity College blamed evangelical Christianity for the increase in the numbers of those who reject of all religion because the "religious right" is tied too closely to the Republican party. He specifically mentioned conservative Christian movements such as the Moral Majority and Focus on the Family.

According to William Donahue of the Catholic League, people don't want to hear the words "thou shalt not" anymore. However, Silk said the controversy over sexual abuse on the part of Catholic priests has made the rejection of religion more acceptable.

The survey found 20% of Americans either claiming no religious identity or refusing to answer the question and 25% who did not expect to have a religious funeral. The Catholic percentage remained steady at about 25% while those of other Christians fell from 60% to 50% The number of Mormons increased along with the growing American population although the percentage stayed the same at 1.4%. The percentage of Muslims has increased but remains small at 0.6%. The number of "ethnic Jews" remained the same while those identifying themselves as "religious Jews" continues to decline.

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council saw a less dramatic drop among those people who have affiliated with a religion than was the case in the 1990s, so he is hopeful people will start returning to their faith. He also said he thought the weakening economy might start driving people back to church.

To read the entire article, click on this CNN NEWS link.

COMMENT: I would blame the "political correctness" movement as being the most important factor in Christianity's weakening numbers. This is only an observation and I have no figures to back up such an opinion. Yet, consider the following:

It is nothing new for people to be told that all religious denominations are equally valid and that no one faith has a monopoly on "God" or "gods." What does appear to be new is the vehemence with which the politically correct movement is attacking those who still hold to a specific set of doctrines. Jesus was mistaken or an impostor, they contend, when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ( John 14:6, NIV )

If all religions are equally valid, why not adopt a more leisurely faith, especially one without all the "thou shalt nots"? Yet, there are perceptive people who are looking for answers to life. They aren't any more confident in "anything goes" religions than they would be in a doctor who would tell them that all drugs are equally good for whatever is ailing them. This may be why "born again" and other conservative denominations including Muslims and Mormons, who have definite articles of faith, are not experiencing a decline.

The proponents of the theory of evolution aren't helping the situation either. Even though evolutionists have themselves been criticized by some free thinkers for their own "thou shalt nots" such as "thou shalt not doubt Darwin" or "thou shalt not question natural selection" or "thou shalt not put us to the test," the science establishment has such a stranglehold on American thought in general that people, I believe, feel intimidated. And despite what political correctness may say, evolution, whether theistic or not, is NOT compatible with traditional Christianity.

It is up to us as Bible-based Christians and creationists to continue our work in showing people that the Holy Bible can be trusted in all things including its account of creation, the Fall of man, and the coming of a Savior whom we know is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. May the Holy Spirit bless our efforts!

*************************************************

Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].

*************************************************

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do most mainstream scientists believe time had a beginning and will have an end?

Most scientists believe time was created along with the rest of the universe in the Big Bang "13.7 billion" years ago. Three Spanish scientists are also suggesting that the acceleration of the expanding cosmos is just an illusion caused by the slowing of time, which will eventually end.

Source: Discover magazine (March, 2009)



*************************************************

B047 - EVOLUTION: THE GRAND EXPERIMENT
by Carl Werner

With charts, photos, and quotations galore, this book logically dissects and invalidates the theory of evolution. Since there are no references to religion or creationism, it might be the perfect book to use in secular settings. Highly recommended. 2007. 262 pages.

Join LSI (anybody can) and rent this book for $3.