we are witnessing in western Europe is the end of Christendom -- the cultural, if not constitutional, alliance between church and state. Is this particular demise something that should be mourned?
2006-12-13 01:09:30 · 18 answers · asked by gwbruce_2000 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps, however it didn't start this century. The spiritual decline of the UK started some 450 years ago with so-called 'enlightened men' and the beginning of the English reformation. At this time the social welfare net (monasteries, churches and missions) were looted and destroyed never to be replaced for the benefit of the ruling classes of Puritans and Anglicans. This has given rise to all the isms of Western society today, materialism, indifferentism, secular atheism and so on and so on.
2006-12-13 01:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The church is certainly losing power and influence in Europe and I don't think that is something that should be mourned, considering all the bad things in the history of the church.
I think Europe is slowly moving from Christianity towards atheism or deism, but I'm sure there will still be at least a few more generations of Christians in Europe.
2006-12-13 09:15:30 · answer #2 · answered by undir 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whilst certain groups (Evangelical usually) claim that "the UK is the most secular country on the planet". Church attendance has dropped to about 7% of the population and continues to fall.
This is simply the people moving on, Christianity has more than had its chance and is generally ignored. If the product isn't selling it isn't the non-buying customer who is to blame, rather there is a problem with what is on offer.
The American and African versions of Christianity are attempting to establish themselves but these are extremely distasteful.
The traditional CofE and to a lesser extent Catholicism are quaint but meaningless having about the same status as Morris Dancing.
The link between church and state however shouldremain to hold in check those groups such as Christian Voice and other Evangelical churches that are undeniably evil.
2006-12-13 09:39:13 · answer #3 · answered by Red P 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whilst less than 20% of Christians in the UK go to church, 75% of those people that answer surveys regularly say they are Christian.
The simple fact is that a handful of zealots and fanatics have taken over speaking for the church, twisting the religion into spouting hate, intolerance and damnation. This leaves Good Christians very unwilling to be identified with them!!!
All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Unless the Bishops, clergy and good Christians stand up soon the church in the UK is surely doomed!!!
2006-12-13 09:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
christianity is a minority in europe.
most atheists love to make out that it isn't and controls all so they can have something controversial to say.
islam is the fastest growing religion in europe, due to their refusal to use contraception (hence to spread islam faster) and their lack of trying to accept western values.
it is predicted in 20 years parts of europe will be under islamic rule.
blaming christians for things that happened 100's of years ago is stupid, if not you might as well just blame white people on the whole. White people today are still starting wars!
2006-12-13 10:09:07 · answer #5 · answered by Abdul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is quite sad to watch countries in Europe lose their Christian identitiy. It is not as advanced in England, but over on Holland they are now practicing infanticide, among other moral outrages that are so prevelant in that area of the world. To be sure, the rest of Europe is not far behind, and America is not far behind Europe.
2006-12-13 09:20:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The UK is now a secular state and personally I'm very happy with that. Given a choice between relying on reason or blind faith in theological doctrines I would always choose reason so I'm glad that religion is no longer a feature of life in the UK. We can advance spiritually in the future without the hindrance of organised religion.
2006-12-13 09:22:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since "Christendom" is a made-up term to describe countries where church and state are one, I'd have to say it's been dead a goodly while.
But, if you equate "Christendom" with its adherents, You'd be way off the mark. More than 1 billion Catholics, more than 350 million Protestants worldwide make it a thriving institution indeed.
2006-12-13 09:15:09 · answer #8 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
lets face it people is dying its been dying for a while why do you think the christians are soooo pissed off and trying to convert everyone im pagan and our initiates have been rising more and more every year since the new agers have come around. soooo in short christianity is dying soo it wil be like every other religion it will jsut be there andn another realigion will take its place at the top. dont feel bad though christians it happens to the best of us.
2006-12-13 09:15:10 · answer #9 · answered by lucifer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nah we still have misinformed christians who praise god in the street and basically think some higher help is going to help them.. sorry if your religious but its a silly idea. that some guy could live so long in that day and age then create miracles is just funny how can anyone do that. its as real as a superhero.. wow batman can fly therefore people can... religion causes too much hatred and issues in modern day society so im glad its not as big as it used to be. i dont mind people having religious beliefs but i dont want some old man standing on a pedestal shouting if you dont believe in god your going to hell bull. thats my thought.
2006-12-13 09:15:25 · answer #10 · answered by nommie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋