What would it take to break the back of American Christianity?

Question

Christianity has been in retreat for centuries in Europe.

Even our closet allies have little of America's religious convictions, and they think of us as more than a little backward.

Christianity has dug its heel in deep in America, like it's preparing for a last stand.

What will it take to rid ourselves of the Fundamentalist version of Christianity that America has produced?

bats_fan, I don't hate Christianity. I can't think of a single issue I have with the more mainstream sects, or with the Amish.

The Dominionists and the Christian Nation types, and the End Timers, the ones who mix religion and politics are the ones I am talking about.

Answer 1

Perhaps Lord Xenu's return? lol

Answer 2

Basically, the fundamentalists will die out from sheer lack of numbers. It is simply too hard to sustain the cognitive dissonance which comes from attempting to maintain that the Bible is "literally" true in all its parts in the 21st Century.

But fundamentalism is certainly not all there is to Christianity. For the remainder to die out, it would be necessary for the factions to spend their time picking on each other instead of just being good examples of kindness and compassion, the way the Salvation Army and Mother Theresa have shown. If they can get over the idea that they can or even should want to convert everyone, and concentrate on being good neighbors, they will survive.

Answer 3

Fortunately it does seem that the 'people' are starting to see it for what it is. Even moderate believers have been surprised by the behavior of so many of their own leaders.

Now I see more and more free thinking, rational people coming to the front and pointing out the flaws and dangers of allowing people with beliefs in imaginary friends and flying angels etc, to be making political decisions which effect the entire world.

Alternatively, leave them to self destruct. The amount of crack and cheap male prostitutes has not diminished, religious leaders seem to be inextricably drawn to anal sex and hard drugs. Whodda thunk it?

Answer 4

Christianity according to you is in retreat in Europe, but personally I do not think that is true. The pendulum swings back and forth and has done so since the beginning of Christianity. Christianity is growing at a faster rate then it ever has in history. We prepare for nothing like you say we are. We do not have to fight to keep people as believers, they do that on their own. And they always will.

Btw, France elected a conservative, Catholic president. Now that is what I call Christianity in retreat. Don't you? And just like the USA, more and more Christians will be elected in other countries, why? Liberalism DOES NOT WORK.

Answer 5

A good question.

Considering the sheer ignorance and denial that must be embraced to believe in a deity in the modern and informed western world, then nothing short of the complete abolition of religious teachings in schools or any institutions, coupled with more education in the sciences would have a chance.

Unfortunately these groups have money and therefore political power, so it is a corrupt and powerful political force with an agenda.

The whole politically correct "tolerance" thing gives them far too much freedom to indoctrinate others, primarily children..!!

Answer 6

Man has been trying to end Christianity for hundreds of years and it will never happen. All that will happen is that those that try to destroy Christianity will draw a curse upon themselves.
My advice is to search out in the word of God to find Jesus, once you truely find Him, then even your physical life will not stop your devotion to Him. You have never known love until you have met Him.

Answer 7

Religion and Politics...

Interesting that you see a divide...

Governments arbitrate rights. What gives them the right? Why do they have MORE rights than we have? Religion was a point that the founders of this country (and all governments) have had to deal with. Marx got rid of it. Did that solve problems? No, it created more than it solved.

So, what you are saying is you want to stamp out someones ideas and effectivly CHECK their liberty.

What gives you the right? Don't you believe in freedom? Then why would you want to? I want more freedom, not less.

Respecting and Defending OTHERS freedom is the surest way to ASSURE YOUR FREEDOM.

Answer 8

Religion can be broken, but when you meet the one true God and he fills your spirit with his, we can see he isn't fake. God is as real as the people who conceived you and brought you into this world. Experiencing the depts of his love and realizing how relevant his truths are will never go away forever.
You need to meet the true God.

Answer 9

What's the saying? A branch that does not bend will break in the wind.

I think this is the key. As fundamentalism takes stronger stances and becomes less flexible to the changes in our society, it will be harder and harder for people to continue to support that doctrine. The more lines you draw, the more you exclude people from supporting you.

Answer 10

Interesting question...Fundy Christians have waged a war on the Catholic Church and are Hell bent on destroying it, sort of reminds me of the Islamic extremist war against Israel.

Answer 11

Why is it that you spend so much of your time berating Christianity if its dieing out? Is it because you know deep down how powerful the Truth is or are you controlled by hate.