Are we witnessing the death throes of Christianity?

Question

It seems as if as scientific knowlege about our planet and universe grows, the more zealous and desperate Christianity becomes. At this point in history the most vocal seem to be grasping for footholds in culture that don't exist (Christian nation argument, Stiring up falacious debate over evolution). We even witness some Christians blaming other Christians of not being true Christians.

Could this be the beginings of the violent spazm preceeding the death rattle of a once "great" religion?

Owen G... Thanks for that shining example of good Christian behavior.

Answer 1

Atheist here.
I think that all religions will continue to go on. Man has a need to believe that they are not alone in this wide universe. As long as the imagining part of our brains works, there will be the belief in something. It is through this that they can continue to have faith in things unseen. I myself don't have this need and still I am a good person, who loves others. Who does good for others without the need to have a religion to guide me on.
As an atheist, I have no need to worry about such things. I have no need to criticize others beliefs. I have no need to feel guilty or judgmental. I take each person for a human being. Good or bad. I will die someday and return to the earth. Period.
So if religions were to die tomorrow, I think it would be better for the world only because religion is the cause of alot of death and distruction. Has been through history of man.

Answer 2

No, I think we're more defensive of our views because our societies are becoming more diversified or "heterogeneous". To me at least, this makes sense because fear is a natural response when confronted with uncomfortable or unknown situations. This suggests how little we know or understand of our universe, regardless of our beliefs. It's something that is out of comfort zone and I understand what they feel, but I don't necessarily believe its the end of Christianity or any belief for that matter. To say that science is going to throw everything out the door is rather humorous to me. It again shows what little most of us understand when it comes to the meaning behind science.

Science can't prove anything, but it can suggest reasons for an event. It's based on observations that are reproducible in a controlled environment. This implies that the observations are only consistent to the variables that are accounted for. Consider that an electron has a specific mass and that electricity is the movement of electrons. I cannot prove this, rather I can use experiments to that suggest this through consistent observations with controlled variables. This is why it is called a theory. And if its wrong, we go through the steps of the scientific method and change the theory.

Answer 3

I find the new discoveries science brings only strengthens the argument that a powerful and infinitely intelligent being must have controlled it all. Look at all the minute details that had to happen in just the right sequence in order for all this to come about. Pure random chance? I don't believe so. And look at the science we have. It can't duplicate most, if much, of what is occurring naturally all around us. We can create artificial life, but it is sterile, and unable to evolve to change with the environment. The hand that set all this in motion was not only strong, but wise beyond the imagination. So, despite rumors to the contrary, science hasn't disproved any religion, at least not yet. But they're welcome to keep trying. I like seeing the wonders they bring to view. Makes my faith stronger. Choices, that's how science should be seen as, not a spear in the heart of religion. And choices give each person the capacity to select what they wish to believe, or not. Sooner or later we all find out how well we each chose.

Answer 4

Not all of us are that desperate. Some of us actually agree with evolution and the Big Bang Theories, just like you. I think those about whom you speak are very new Christian groups. Those of us who have been around for centuries have weathered worse things than this and we will go on and thrive as we have been.

Answer 5

While I certainly hope so, I don't believe it to be the case. While we are all asleep at the switch, fundie Christian wing nuts are quietly setting themselves up to implement a political coup, using the political apparatus that was designed to keep us free. Christian 'Dominionists' (Reconstructionalists, Theonomists) have largely usurped the local level political apparatus of the Republican Party, and are engaged in a sub rosa process to politically motivate moderate Christians under the false cover of religious issues such as morality and family values. The goal is nothing less than the takeover of all elective offices in the USA.

Their doctrine comes from the Bible, starting with the term 'dominion' at Genesis 1:28... “And God said unto them, [Adam and Eve] Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have DOMINION… over every living thing.” They interpret DOMINION as: “... a supremacy in determining and directing the actions of others or in governing politically, socially, or personally.”

They want to remake the USA as a theocracy... and they are succeeding.

Its most common form, Dominionism, represents one of the most extreme forms of Fundamentalist Christianity thought. Its followers, called Dominionists, are attempting to convert the laws of United States so that they match those of the Hebrew Scriptures. They intend to achieve this by using the freedom of religion in the US to train a generation of children via home-schooling and in private Christian religious schools. Later, their graduates will be charged with the responsibility of creating a new Bible-based political, religious and social order. One of the first tasks of this order will be to eliminate religious choice and freedom. Their eventual goal is to achieve the "Kingdom of God" in which much of the world is converted to Christianity. They feel that the power of God's word will bring about this conversion. No armed force or insurrection will be needed; in fact, they believe that there will be little opposition to their plan. People will willingly accept it. All that needs to be done is to properly explain it to them.

All religious organizations, congregations etc. other than strictly Fundamentalist Christianity would be suppressed. Nonconforming Evangelical, main line and liberal Christian religious institutions would no longer be allowed to hold services, organize, proselytize, etc. Society would revert to the laws and punishments of the Hebrew Scriptures. Any person who advocated or practiced other religious beliefs outside of their home would be tried for idolatry and executed. Blasphemy, adultery and homosexual behavior would be criminalized; those found guilty would also be executed. There are two conservative Christian pastors in Texas who have advocated the execution of all Wiccans. Ralph Reed, the executive director of the conservative public policy group the Christian Coalition has criticized Reconstructionism as "an authoritarian ideology that threatens the most basic civil liberties of a free and democratic society."

By failing to openly confront this insidious agenda, we have sown the seeds of our own destruction, while these religious wing-nuts are paving the way to Armageddon with gleeful anticipation.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reconstr.htm
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/HistoryOfReconstructionMovement.html
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/Clarkson_RiseOfDomionism.html

Answer 6

I think what the world is witnessing is the shaky, uneasy steps of a faith maturing. Its like a catepillar turning into a butterfly, even though it has beautiful wings and a different look, it is still that same catepillar. When applying that concept to free-willin' humans, it's like the transition from a teenage state of mind into a more adult state of mind or being the catepillar just going into the cocoon and heatedly debating what its going to be when it come out. There will come a point when we'll settle down and see that for all our internal fussin' and fightin', we'll come out the beautiful butterfly because it was never really up to us anyway. We never had ownership of the process, God did.

Answer 7

Yes, very soon now there will be no religion of any kind.
Not Muslim, Not Christian, Buddha or what ever.
The only way the UN can stop war is to stop religion.
when they come to that realization, they will turn on religion.
she will like the great harlot Babylon the great will be turned on by the governments of this world. She is the symbol of all false religions. The bible says they will turn on her and make her devasted and naked. in other words exposed. Aren't we doing that right here? Look at these questions. don't they expose religion as mostly self serving to the governments of this world.
When they are not anymore the government will turn on them.
Very soon now. There are no Atheists in fox holes.

Answer 8

Probably not. As long as people hear the gospel and believe it there will continue to be Christians. It is when Christians stop sharing their faith that it would become extinct. That isn't likely to happen, though. It is part of our mission to tell others about Christ. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations." We are simply following our leaders instructions with the realization that just because we are doing what we believe we are supposed to do, doesn't mean that everyone will believe or even approve of our actions.

Answer 9

Not at all. In fact I see otherwise. as science ages, it continues to prove Christianity. Except the areas that are touted as "science" when it is truly "pseudo-science".

For example:
The "Evolution Theory" is presented to us (and our children) as "Fact"; when it in truth, The Evolution "Theory" is really still a "Theory" and quite often based upon "Fiction". The Evolution theory is taught as a "Principle" even though it is still not yet proven. Pseudo-science in many ways.

Quite often argue their beliefs in Evolution like it is a religion. Quite frankly it is not surprising because when put the theory to strait science, it really has no true solid ground to stand on.

I can hear the hecklers in the house already as I type. If you do look at the research objectively though, you will see what I mean.

This site is only a beginning of a wealth of good resources.
http://www.evolution.no-ip.net

Answer 10

Not by the numbers. Christianity around the world is adding people faster than ever in history. And contrary to the widespread bigotry in American popular culture,Christians are not hostile to science. If anything increasing scientific knowledge tends to put the Bible in an ever better light. i.e. the Bible's conception of time, Jesus realizing that one side of the world was dark when the other was light, and on and on and on