re: Poll: Protestants decline, more have no religion in a sharply shifting religious landscape

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I believe this is a direct result of rock and roll church

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I differ, I attribute it to people placing more importance on seeing “the preacher”. This then leads you to a fundamental difference within Protestantism (nondenoms and most baptists vs mainline denominations) and definitely between Protestantism and Catholicism. What is the purpose of church attendance and why are you there? The difference in Catholicism and mainline Protestantism with respect to Sacraments is easy to observe, but the difference between denominations and “preacher” driven churches is becoming more evident.

Presbyterians and Methodists are likely going to church to practice the tenets of their denomination. People are going to Osteen’s place and Dino’s new place to hear them. They are seeking community but that is subordinate to hearing what one person has to say. The rock bands just added an extra layer of entertainment to get or keep them there.

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TigerFanInSouthland

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I won’t turn this into a thread devoted to the SBC’s statements on birth control, abortion, or divorce. I would challenge you though to look up recent wrangling within your church over whether contraception is acceptable, the early 1970’s positions abortion (which recently have been tried to be reversed), and lack of definition of acceptability/mechanism for divorce.

I just showed you the SBC’s stances on both of those topics.

I know that not every church has to adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message as it’s not considered a creed but majority of them do.

Explain your theory of subversion Teke.

People are finding that in urban areas they don't have to conform to mythological paradigms. People will still hire them. Half the ones still in, do so for social reasons.

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As time passes, religion becomes increasingly less necessary. It has gone from mankind's sole explanation for everything they saw and experienced in the world around them to largely being an accessory that is grandfathered in.

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the old "god of the gaps" silliness.

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Now many people still find meaning and purpose in religion, but it is no longer necessary to explain the world around them

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ah, so science can explain everything in the world, right?

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People are trending towards wanting entertainment vs seeking accountability and consistency.

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again, these two things are not mutually exclusive. a church can be contemporary in worship style (kinesthetic/blended vs aesthetic) and still be doctrinally sound

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The non-denominational approach to church planting without centralized authority to bring continuity will continue to spell trouble for church affiliation numbers.

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non denoms are not the only churches that are planting new churches. the sbc is doing this like gangbusters. also, non denom church plants don't necessarily lack centralized authority. not sure where you're getting that from

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The SBC is remarkably shallow in its theology and philosophical musings

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wow. have you read the bf&m 2000? do you know anything that's going on at sbc seminaries? the short answer is no. would you like for me to help you get up to speed or would you rather stay ignorant?

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The Catholic Church, for all its faults, has more depth within their belief system. They also have developed relevant philosophical and scientific ideas that extend far beyond religion.

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like what?

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I say this as someone who thinks both groups believe a fairy tale

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THERE'S the problem

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It is not debateable which group has contributed more to society however

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stupid. the catholic church has been around FAR longer. plus, how would you quantify this anyway?

my word this thread shows how ignorant people are about religion. it's one stupid statement after another.

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And what is the basis for your right and wrong?

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Something he read in a book. You know, like the Bible.

Or just what society tells him is right and wrong. You know, like peer pressure.

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Bench McElroy Poll: Protestants decline, more have no religion in a sharply shifting religious landscape

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Who could argue against your OP? May be anecdotal evidence but as the number of people who claim the Christian faith has waned societally degradation has accelerated, go figure.

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The fact is we no longer need religion to explain most of what humans experience in life

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explain "most."

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Where once religion was used as a barometer of objective truth it is now merely a matter of subjective meaning.

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...to stupid people. intelligent, reasonable, unbiased people know differently

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To say it another way, god(s) have become increasingly more impotent as time has gone on

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so you know nothing about God. that's all you had to say

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Now he helps people get off heroin, find close parking spaces and cure depression

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there is a sense in which this is true. somehow, i doubt you're reasonable enough to understand it.

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He has receded to a point where none of his supposed activities can be objectively measured or experienced.

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stupid assertion as usual