For Instance, the section "Religion and Spirituality" on this site has more back stabbing, hating, prejudice and provocative content on it than any other section...
As another example, the only state in the US that has successfully outlawed gay marriage is the state with the highest divorce rate per capita.
As a final example, it seems like every town that has more than a few churches in it, will lose alot of business from other sources and become kind of depressed financially... which came first - the poverty or the excessive religion??? Is it a vicious cycle?
I am really not trying to offend religious people (I'm Buddhist myself and I respect others beliefs) - it's just the way it seems to me.
What's your opinion?
2006-08-18 04:46:16 · 12 answers · asked by rabble rouser 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry - correcting myself here:
Alabama, with a population of 4.3 million, has more than one million Southern Baptists and a majority of evangelical Protestants. The state ranks fourth nationally in divorce rates, behind Nevada, Tennessee and Arkansas, according to U.S. government statistics.
http://www.sullivan-county.com/bush/divorce.htm
Take a look at the findings from the George Barna Research Group. George Barna, a born-again Christian whose company is in Ventura, Calif., found that Massachusetts (which has legalized gay marriage) does indeed have the lowest divorce rate among all 50 states. More disturbing was the finding that born-again Christians have among the highest divorce rates.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/10/31/walking_the_walk_on_family_values/
2006-08-18 05:06:07 · update #1
Venus M - I live in Florida - I speak from experience...
2006-08-18 05:08:58 · update #2
The reasons from what I can tell that there is so much moral decay in religious societies is because of the free thought usually accessed as Americans towards religion, meaning that as Americans we feel the need to be free and untied to any rules and standard beliefs as any other country would.
In another country, their law and government may not be as mobile nor free as the US, so therefore, they do not experience the freedom of varying their thoughts or questioning their thoughts upon religion not because they don't want to, but because they do not question anything else of higher power.
What the principle of America was built upon was freedom of religion (in some aspects, i.e. Puritans/Quakers in colonial times), and therefore, different thoughts and theories would arise. Concluding from that, clashes amongst different ideas would occur, resolving in questioning, backstabbing, and discrimination religiously.
The question of "moral decay" is very much an issue, but most do not face this problem. Why? Because they believe that what they think is right. They believe that their religion is the best thing out there, so anyone who questions it is wrong. That's what leads to discriminating and all the corruption between religions. And even so, if a person were to find a flaw in one's religion, then the person who held said religion would change their beliefs to that subject if they thought it was wrong too (i.e. abortion, gay marriage). This is where internal corruption in a religion takes place, when one of many people find a flaw, then some but not all also believe so.
I really hope i answered your question correctly
:)
2006-08-18 05:01:25 · answer #1 · answered by peexinxmyxpants 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally disagree. First of all, if you have ever been any farther south of Virginia, you would see a church on every corner, and yet there are many thriving cities. Raleigh NC, Charlotte NC, Roanoke VA, Atlanta GA, Jasksonville FL to name a few. Also, the people in this section are not all christians, nor are the neccesarily the best examples of christians either. I also live in the only state that recognizes gay marriage and there is a thriving catholic and protestant communities here. I am afraid that you are over generalizing and misinformed.
2006-08-18 05:02:02 · answer #2 · answered by Venus M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What's this "only" state in the country to outlwas gay marriage part about. Was there a major vote last night, and I missed it. Most states choose to make same sex marriage illegal. So unless I missed something last night, that part of your question is just not factual.
Other than that the reason people have stronger emotions on this page is because we're dealing with issues that people feel is the biggest part of who they are. Partly though I'm glad to see people telling people they're wrong. Tolerance is respect for other people, not other people's ideas.
2006-08-18 04:57:43 · answer #3 · answered by westfallwatergardens 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
So happy you're lower back! I see no reason somebody might checklist one in each and every of those question. possibly somebody replaced into jealous of each and every of the out-pouring of love and concern that the community confirmed on your behalf. i think of that's exceedingly small minded. The "checklist monkeys" do no longer look to make any experience most of the time.
2016-09-29 10:04:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jayboo,
While the number of people who define themselves as being "religious" is increasing, the number of them who have God's Spirit living within them, is not. No Spirit, no changed life. Jesus made it clear, that unless you experience this spiritual rebirth, you shall not enter the Kingdom of God. Thus, the empty facade of modern religion. If you find one Disciple of Jesus, in a thousand Christians, you are doing well.
2006-08-18 05:01:39 · answer #5 · answered by Will O' the Wisp 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. All these types are busy finger pointing and not taking care of their own business. My born again Christian neighbor won't let her kids watch a pg 13 movie, yet lets them dress like hos. Life is strange.
2006-08-18 04:53:22 · answer #6 · answered by Ricky 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No hate from me, just indifference at a boring question...
If you respect other peoples beliefs then why exactly are you whining that we don't get along?
This is a very democratic and philosophically rewarding experience going on through all of the religious debate: people are believing in what they are saying more and more...that is a good thing..
However, benign do-goodery like yours has no place here. ..please go to the pets section.
2006-08-18 04:54:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As for moral decline, I would suggest reading some of the postings on this site. The devil is doing his best to get God and the church out of our lives, and he is using these misguided people on here to do it. I pay them no mind for it is satan doing his work through them.
2006-08-18 05:10:08 · answer #8 · answered by stullerrl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The doctrine may be perfect, but the people certainly aren't. That may be an oversimplification, but I suspect that's what it pretty much comes down to.
2006-08-18 04:54:25 · answer #9 · answered by daisyk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is my opinion:
Isaiah 29:24: "They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine."
2006-08-18 04:52:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋