Man as the center of the universe. Western culture is permeated by a form of subjectivism that professes the absolute subjectivity of the individual and denies the existence of objective truths or values. This exaltation of the individual means that the Church is no longer accepted as a doctrinal and moral authority.
A variation on this is the baby boom hippie influenced generation who rebelled against all authority, inc. the church. This influence was many decades in developing, but culminated with the Vietnam War era and the Nixon debacle.
Many baby boomers simply did not participate with their families in an organized faith growth experience - esp. that of the church.
There are signs that Gen Xers are searching to fill that spiritual void. At my church, the vast majority of visitors and new members for the past several years have been those joining through "Profession of Faith", meaning they have never been a member of another church family. These are mostly couples in their 20's and 30's with small children who want their children to have what they missed in their youth - religious training and the nurturing of a church family.
This is an encouraging sign.
Good articulation of the problem.
bttt
bookmark
How about the "Waiting for Godot syndrome?" Two thousand years and counting.
*************
Good article, with the above exception.
Haven't read this, sneaking onto FR, I know I'll like it. Probably you too!
The organized church has let Christianity down by rotting at the top. Some surveys have shown that less than 20% of seminary graduates believe the basic tenets of Christianity at all.
We can hardly expect the organized church to be vital centers of the faith when they are managed by non-Christians in the first place.
Secular society is just a euphamism for pagan society.
ANother BTTT and read later selfping.