85% of Americans are Christian?

Question

Supposedly 85% of Americans are Christian and their bible teaches not to kill, turn the other cheek and generally to live a peaceful life etc. etc etc.. Why is that Americans don't live up to the Christian expectation set out in their bible. Let's face it, with a defence budget of three quarters of a trillion dollars, guns rampant throughout society and one of the highest murder rates of any so called civilised nation. Americans hardly act like the Christians they are supposed to be. Any thoughts on why that is?

source
http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/United_States/rbodies.html

Answer 1

Isn't it great to be part of a religion where you can do anything you want, and all is forgiven come sunday?

Answer 2

I'm not sure if it's 85% but it's high enough to make David Bowie write "I'm afraid of Americans."

If there is a spiritual truth out there, it would be that most of the time if someone is accusing someone of something it's probable that it's something they are guilty of themselves.

The three quarters of a trillion dollar defence (offense?) budget is a reoccuring annual problem. I'm tired of the Republicans calling Democrats "Tax and spend" when we go the furtherest in debt in all of American History each time we elect another Republican president. The only Democratic president we've had in ages was Bill Clinton and he had a budget surplus that the Republican congress couldn't spend fast enough. Not that the parties are really different anyway (see immigration).

In short if Jesus were alive to see this it would scare the Holy Ghost out of him. Good thing he's dead.

Answer 3

You have to realize telling someone you are Christian when they are asking is one thing, but actually live it is another. More than 50% of those 85% who say they are Christian probably don't live like it. It's easier to want to be something and believe in something then to actually do it and live it. There are some out there that try to and do and they are generally humiliated or considered "holy rollers or some other label our society puts on them" and no one wants to be "uncool" yet you don't want to offend the man upstairs, so you say your Christian to cover your "rear" and then not live it so you can "fit in". Hopefully people -that want good and just things- can just live and have their beliefs without the fear of being look down upon or ridiculed for their faith, maybe then maybe it would be "cool" to be Christian and have a love for Christ. It could change how Americans treat one another being truly 85% Christian. ~that's just my two cents anyway. thanks!

Answer 4

Actually the Bible does encourage people to kill, and gives many examples of when it is okay to do so... it also encourages war against non-believers... just as the Koran does. I could copy and paste from the Bible (and Koran) to prove my point, but it would be too long a paste.

85% is too high a number to be accurate - too many people fall under the catagory of agnostic or atheist, add the other religions and % of Christians will be significantly less than 85%.

Answer 5

Christianity (like most major religions) has had a history of waging war. The Crusades were named for the Cross. Many churches in Europe turned a blind eye to Nazi atrocities. The Inquisition used torture to expel demons. It's not that Americans are not Christion in their actions. It's that Christianity needs to examine it's world role and change.

Answer 6

It seems you are quick to judge. It is obviously you have not read the bible, so it is difficult for me to answer this question.

Christianity is following the teaching of Christ. There is no political agenda (Jesus was not a political leader), and if we talk about restriction see 1 Cor 10:23-24.

The bible is a collection of books for the believer, not a conversation manual. There are two parts: The Old and New Covenants. The Old Covenants is between God and Israel and Israel's descendants. You can see that covenant kept by today's Jews.

The New Covenant is addressed to everyone else. You will find Jesus' life, death, and resurrection there. You will see that Jesus did nothing about earthly matters, he talk about a kingdom not of this world.

Answer: The percentage of Christians compare to the rest of the population means nothing. Claiming anything about the bible means you understand what you are talking about. So far, I see nothing to indicate that you have understood anything.

Answer 7

Wow - it truly is a very, truly dumb fact. You do recognize that u . s . a . isn't a similar ingredient using fact the entire international i'm hoping. In 2000 33% of the international's inhabitants replaced into Christian which ability a whopping sixty seven% of the entire international's inhabitants thinks that 75 - 85% of yankee's are incorrect. i come across it hilarious you think of sixty seven% of the international is misguided and you're top. conceited lots?

Answer 8

1/3 people in the world are christian...The Hebrew word is 'ratsach'. Although this can mean 'kill', it's one of the words less frequently used to mean 'kill' in the Bible. It can, however, be translated as 'murder'. Most modern translations of the Bible express the commandment as "Thou shalt not murder".

P.S. i'm agnostic ex-christian

Answer 9

There might be 85% of americans are christians but htey are not taught sound doctorine. Most churches put to many limitaions, becoming hypocrites, causing most peolpe to say they are christians but do not attend church and learn the bible.

Answer 10

The Bible does not teach anyone not to kill.
It teaches not to Murder. There is a great difference.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 11

First of all maybe 85% of the people claim to be Christian but that does not mean they are. Most Self-proclaimed Christians are not really Christians. They may be good people and dont want to claim another religious sect to be associated with but they are not practicing Christians. Our government controlls our budget and weather we go to war or not. Please dont ever judge the people of a country by the leaders of a country. I would think there would be no hungry people in this country if we were truly governed by Christians.