God is dead. - Nietzsche Is god dead? INTELLIGENT RESPONSES ONLY?

Question

Please no hysterical garbage. Informed debate - is organized religion dead?
Unscientific Evidence:
What was once universally believed is now relegated to a small minority in Western culture. Plenty of people believe in a God, but a small minority go to church. Many people that believe in God are not even sure. They live their lives without regard to dogma or biblical teachings.

I would argue that the majority of people live their lives as existentialists - even if they are spiritual.

The only places left in the Western World with majority highly religious people seem to be the American South and Midwest.

You do not understand the ******* question. It is not literal - like we took God out back and shot him. It is a metaphor for the decline in belief, and of dogmatic organized religion.

Answer 1

Nietzsche was pretty much saying that the concept and need for God is dead In other words man kind no longer needs religion to explain the universe and that instead science and reason will be what leads man to success from on

I agree with Nietzsche once man started to learn the laws of nature the need for religion was erased.

Answer 2

Central and South America are highly religious here in the Western world. God is not dead, perhaps you mean the dogmas seem to be waning away. It's not really that much, people are people and will always be the same. There are so many different beliefs and religions that exist and some come in and go out all the time. Now atheists have their own beliefs, there are spiritualist and a wide variety of paganism's and all sorts of religious dogma or cult who attend some sort of ritualistic meditations in all sorts of temples, churches, mosques. It's overwhelming.

I'm afraid your research has to expand to include the rest of the world to make an assumption that God is dead.
It is a very smart question however.

Answer 3

I would argue against the presupposition you made about Christianity being "relegated to a small minority in Western culture". Christianity thrives and is strongest in areas of persecution. Are you aware of the underground church movements in China, Viet Nam and Korea? You will find some of the most spirit filled, vibrant believers there. Actually, affluence tends to damage the Church. We get fat, rich and lazy and think we don't need God. Look at Europe, once the bastion of Reformed thought and faith, now is basically atheist and Muslim. I think a problem I have seen in Protestant America is they we have forgotten what we are protesting against. In too many churches, the health and wealth, purpose driven, seeker sensitive, best life now stuff is overrunning sound Biblical teaching. That is why, as has been stated before, much of Christendom in America is miles wide, but about and inch thick. They don't know the Bible, what is taught in the Scriptures concerning salvation, justification, redemption or sanctification. They hear feel good sermons, and engage in surface level Bible studies. Unfortunately, it seems the culture has influenced the Western church, more than the church influencing culture, to our detriment. The Church is still strong, and will remain so since Jesus is the head, and He will continue to draw His own to Himself, but it is a time of sifting, sifting out the heretics and false believers. I believe the best thing that could happen to the church in America is persecution, it will separate the men from the boys, the true believers from those playing games.

Answer 4

I think mainstream organized religion is dying, though not dead. There are studies on church membership that show a decline in moderate to liberal denominations in the US. Christianity as a whole has been on the decline in Europe for decades. However, the Church is thriving in Africa and there are more Chinese Christians than there are American Christians. Furthermore, the more conservative, reformed, and/or evangelical church denominations are growing.

Answer 5

The intelligent response is that God is not dead. He intervenes in my life. I have a personal relationship with Him.

I am not religious. Religion is man made. Jesus is God's answer for love to mankind. Jesus is not a religion. He is my Lord and My Savior. I believe that the Bible is the written Word of God. I am God's child and a member of Jesus' church.

Answer 6

Organized Religion is not dead, and never will be. Mother Nature herself imprints in every mind the idea of God (That's another quote, I forgot by who).

Also, you are keeping the idea of people believing in God to only Christianity, a very bad idea considering Jews and Muslim's also worship the same deity, pretty much

Answer 7

I agree that the numbers of people going to church are declining, i think it is because people just can't relate anymore to the strict rules and the teachings. Many of them leave because their lifestyles makes them feel like they are not welcomed.
I think that people in the churches take part of the scriptures and turn it into whatever they want, we forget that Jesus' whole teachings were about love.

Answer 8

you may not agree with me but i believe that the lack of belief is happening for a reason, the bible says that when the end of time draws near many people will have began to shun god and his teachings, they will either accept false doctrines or believe in nothing at all. it says that at this time everyone on earth will have heard of god, which, because of missionaries, even in the remote areas of the world, people have had a chance to hear and choose if they accept or not, but most will laugh and mock and not believe, and their hearts will be hardened and even if faced with evidence of god they will still in their pride not accept him, leaving only one other fate for their souls, god gives all the hance to hear, so no one is left with excuse on judgement day, no one can say, i never heard of you. but like you said, everybody has heard and most reject. just as the bible predicted. satan has really had his way with this world, i pray that most change and see the truth before it's too late for them.

Answer 9

Also many 3rd world countries. As their education increases, religion declines. Seems we need to improve the educational system in the American South and Midwest.

Answer 10

You forgot South and Central America. They're deeply Catholic.

As for God, well, if he exists he must be in shock over what his followers say about him.