Where is Christianity heading?

Question

After months on this board, my prior assumption that most Christians were decent people was eroding. Then I had lunch today with a Christian friend. We had a very intellectual discussion - that had nothing to do with the usual subjects discussed here. It was quite refreshing.

I have decided there are three primary attrributes to Christianity today, to which all philosophies, scriptures, etc. can be divided (I dislike pigeon-holing, but please bear with me): (1) "love thy neighbor," which includes all genuine charitable works that do not correspond to recruitment - the best side of Christianity, (2) "smite thine enemies," which includes all the negatives, ranging from historical persecutions to today's anti-gay BS, and (3) "We're the only 'true' path," which may be well-intentioned, but frankly comes across as smug and arrogant. It seems to me that American Christianity used to be about #1, but today is more about #2 and #3. True? Or is it just that #2 and #3 are more vocal?

Answer 1

EXCELLENT question.

It does seem that in recent months a movement to return Christianity to something like your #1 has arisen, though of course it may be simply that the media have finally decided to pay some attention to the more decent Christians and stop giving the more juvenile ones all the attention.

A huge factor in Christianity's future is the influence of politics. In recent years it has come more and more to seem as though many Christian denominations had entered an "unholy alliance" with the far-right wing of American politics, and were allowing themselves to be manipulated towards those right-wing ends. I know that the media spoke about it as though it were the Republican Party coming to be dominated by extremist religion, but I think it may well have been the other way around.

You may have heard that the leader of the Christian Coalition resigned last week because that organization would not follow his lead towards including a more "love thy neighbor" aspect to its work. I think that the fact that he tried, and that this became public knowledge is a sign that Christianity may recover some of its ethical grounding in the years to come, and reject the anti-abortion creationist anti-gay agenda that has come to replace morality over the past 30 years.

Answer 2

I'll agree with you, and also say 2 and 3 are more vocal but that doesnt mean there arent a lot of 1s. Every group has those we wish werent the loudest ones. They're always the ones who start the negative sterotypes.

I think personally Im a combo of #1 and #3 I have no interest in protests or not letting people live their lives. I'd never kill or hurt anyone over mine nor his faith (or lack there of) I dont like to come accross as smug or arrogant though I do think Christianity is the "True Path" Im charitable, compassionate and intelligent. So I think I fall between those two.

Answer 3

I agree with you on this.. I do think that a "real" christian, and by that I mean someone who is filled with the holy spirit, has the love thy neighbor attribute. I say attribute and not attitude because attitudes can be changed but attributes are hard earned and less likely to be swayed. This attribute always knows that we are not to judge, but at the same time have to have the conviction in our hearts to take a hard line towards anything that contradicts the word of God. That sometimes is where some spirit filled christians come across as smug and arrogant..
As far as we are the "only true path" depends on whether the person hearing this is willing to accept the truth that lies in God's plan of salvation. I think you are right about that being more today, but maybe it is for the right reason.. Time is getting shorter and no one is promised tomorrow.. Also, they are a little more vocal because the 1st one has a certain element of humility..

Answer 4

I think Christianity and all the other religions are heading toward an eventual mass demise in human society and will become basically very small sects of religious diehards before they disappear altogether. The modern religions will be replaced with a more logical secular type of spirituality that has not yet been realized.

The driving force behind Christianity has historically always been about #2 and #3. You have to have already been assimilated and indoctrinated to instigate or practice # 1.

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Answer 5

Christians usually do all 3, but people see 2 and 3 more than 1

Answer 6

Well, it depends on what sect(s) you look at. Some are leaning to 1, many to 2, and only a few are actually 3 according to their doctrine (though not necessarily in deed)

Some Christian sects value certain things more than other sects do. For example, Catholicism has a greater emphasis on ministerial authority, Mormons have more emphasis on personal progression/group effort, and Universal Unitarians tend to promote harmony between people who believe different tenants of faith. (Disclaimer: These things are just generalizations, and other sects don't necessarily ignore these attributes)

In other words, Christianity as a whole is spreading out in all different directions.

Answer 7

Christianity is splitting. You have a conservative base which wants to argue morals, punishments, etc. and you have a liberal base which pursues "God is love". The former group is more vocal, but the last polls I saw was that it is not in the majority. This group gained it's vocalism thanks to groups like the Moral Majority, the Christian Coalition, and so forth, the latter did not have such a group. A new group of liberal Christians has sprung up, and it may change how much power the conservative Christians have, especially if they become a political block like the conservatives.

Answer 8

I believe that the vocal minority comes through the loudest and is falsely perceived as the majority opinion. The rise of fundamentalism during the past 20 years, which coincided with the rise in televangelism, did gain strength but never the majority. Most Christians that I know fall into the love thy neighbor category, but because of their humble hearts, they typically remain silent and patient in love.

Answer 9

yeah, i agree that #2 and #3 are just more vocal. i guess i'm more of a #1, at least i hope i am.
by sticking with more of a "love thy neighbor" mentality, people will see God's love showing through, without my being considered "preachy". but whenever a situation or opportunity presents itself, a Christian should be ready to answer any questions and be a positive witness, like your friend was.

Answer 10

As sad as it may sound....You're right. Arrogance and intolerance are the main features of the 21st Century Christians, unfortunately. The good news is that there are still a few good Christians too, not too many, yet, better than nothing;)...Peace.