[NYer]

Here's a topic, all Forum members can discuss.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[Prolifeconservative]

****He said, “Millions of young adults are more interested in truth, authenticity, experiences, relationships and spirituality than they are in laws, traditions, events, disciplines, institutions and religion.****

In other words, they want a spiritual experience without the hastle...they want God without cumbersome commandments...they want to ascend to a higher calling but hold on to their fallen proclivities....In short, they want a JESUS without a CROSS!

[asformeandformyhouse]

Until such a connection is made, focusing on features, programs and benefits other than such a life-shaping encounter is more likely to lose ground than to gain it.

Which is exactly why we are in this situation now.

[madprof98]

“Church events cannot effectively compete with what the world has to offer. . . . "

And yet they keep trying, especially in the realm of morals: We used to teach that X was wrong, but now we know God loves everyone, including [or, more often, especially] those who do X. No wonder the populace is saying, Well, if God loves us for doing whatever we want, what we really want to do with our Sundays is go to brunch, shop, and watch TV.

[franky]

****"Lastly, Barna noted that the unchurched are very independent as the data indicated they are less likely to marry, less likely to have children (even when married) and less loyal to organizations and products."****

""very independent" spells selfishness. This paragraph speaks to me as today's people have the "I" problem. Selfishness is typical today and I am sure 75% of the divorces are due to it.

American Legion Posts, VFWs, K of Cs, ELKs and most of the fraternal organizations are not getting young people to join. There are more people at the local health spa (their own bodies) than helping the fraternal orders' and Church's' feed the poor.

Times of reckoning are just down the road

[thegreatbeast]

I say it's nonsense. The lion's share of the drop-off had been achieved by 1991. If it halved again since then,the churches would be nothing but vast caverns echoing silence.

[man of Yosemite]

So these people go after the world and find leanness in their souls. Nothing new here that hasn't been understood for thousands of years. The article points out the shallow, selfish life that emerges from a lack of relationship to God. Fortunately, the answer is the same one it has always been, faith in God.