Religion in America is Fading

Apologetics Press ^ | Dave Miller

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

While it is extremely difficult to measure the extent to which religion impacts Americans, one polling organization has attempted to do so using four criteria. The poll was designed to acquire a sense of how the 50 states compare with each other on the matter of which has the most religious population. The four criteria used were the importance of religion in people’s lives, frequency of attendance at worship services, frequency of prayer, and absolute certainty of belief in God (“How Religious...?,” 2009). As one might expect, more Americans in the “Bible Belt” states indicate that religion is very important in their lives.

Mississippi has the highest percentage of its population so indicating (82%), followed by Alabama and Arkansas at 74%, Louisiana at 73%, Tennessee at 72%, South Carolina at 70%, Oklahoma and North Carolina at 69%, Georgia at 68%, Kentucky and Texas at 67%. The states with the lowest percentage of its citizens indicating that religion is important in their lives are New Hampshire and Vermont with 36%. Sadly, the national average is 56%. Think of it. Only 56% of Americans say that religion is important to their everyday living. Specifically, only 39% of Americans say they attend worship at least once a week, only 58% say they pray at least once a day, and only 71% say they believe in God with absolute certainty.

So what? What does it matter if the Christian religion has less and less impact on Americans? Quite simply, the nation will unravel and culminate its illustrious existence in disaster. So said the Founders of the Republic (cf. Miller, 2008), and so says the Bible (e.g., 2 Chronicles 7:14-22).

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

The signs are there. The warnings have been repeatedly given. The United States must return to the religious foundations on which it was founded.

[Terry Mross]

Take out the Muslims and the illegal Hispanic population and the number would be lower. One thing about them. They DO believe.

[Salvavida]

Christ is still on the throne, there is still a remnant, and the United States isn’t eternal. Let people believe what they want to believe.

[SoConPubbie]

And yet, these are the type of times when God’s Grace shines brightest!

When men are fast asleep in their sins and unbelief seems to reign supreme, God loves to intervene and save sinners.

He is a wonderful, loving God!

[Savage Beast]

A Godless nation will fall.

[Savage Beast]

Stay strong. When Western Civilization collapses into a Dark Age, your strength will be needed.

[TigerClaws]

Exactly.

A Godless Europe is on a path to collective suicide.

But big changes are coming soon. Need a national Revival or Great Awakening. It has happened before.

[HarleyLady27]

We are barely at the starting of fighting for Our Country, we have to have faith in Our President, in God that has His Arms around Our President, and faith in ourselves to believe we are going to win this battle...

Prayers Morning, Noon and night and all day and all night in between is how I live my life...

God does not make mistakes...have faith...

[Angels27]

“Religion” isnt necessary good. Bare in mind the Pharassees were religious, meaning they kept or enforced the law of God, and thought that was enough. Religion is churches establishing thier own rules and bylaws people must follow.

I am not religious. However I have personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I have unwavering faith that Jesus suffered the punishment I deserved for me and it is only through him that I am made righteous in Gods eyes.

No religion can save me. Only my trust and faith in Jesus Christ as my personal savior...so count me as one of the “Not Religious” people.

[Chaguito]

Could be that young Christians corrupted by the university are committing demographic suicide. Don’t believe the truth of God is worth passing along to another generation. Look for the US to fall way below replacement rate of births very soon.

[Heartlander]

A wise man once observed that while belief in God after the Holocaust may be difficult, belief in man after the Holocaust is impossible. The choices before us are clear: we will either seek a transcendent moral law to which we will all submit, or we will seek our own personal and societal indulgence. If we turn to God in our quest to create a moral and just world, we have a fighting chance; if not, we are doomed to spiral into the man-made hell of the human jungle.
–Rabbi Moshe Averick

[TBP]

It’s not just the Christian religion, though, that is seeing this trend.

[Sans-Culotte]

Good quote.

[onedoug]

“If everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world it would be.” —Bishop Fulton J Sheen

[HLPhat]

The United States must return to the religious foundations on which it was founded. 

 

"Infidels of every denomination"

--Thomas Jefferson

https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&q=infidels+of+every+denomination

 

What does this mean?

 

"...who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world, and through all time;

 

...

 

 that it is time enough for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order; and finally, that truth is great and will prevail if left to herself, that she is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them. "

 

"I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY TO EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN"

--The Virginia Act For Establishing Religious Freedom
--Thomas Jefferson, 1786

https://www.google.com/webhp?#q=truth%20is%20great%20and%20will%20prevail%20if%20left%20to%20herself

 

[onedoug]

...South Carolina at 70%....

[robroys woman]

I used to always find it contradictory that the bible seemed to suggest that there would be a falling away in the end, but also a revival. I get it now.

What we have is a cleansing of the Church. Those that never really believed in the first place will fall away, and those that believe will become purified, and many others will come to Christ.

And just as the invention of the printing press purified the Catholic church, the internet and search engines are doing it to all of Christianity. I’m involved in all sorts of discussions regarding the content of the bible and its history. I’ve shed beliefs that I never studied but believed because “someone older” told me. And they only believed it because when they were younger, someone “older” told them.

It’s quite exciting. And my understanding is ramping up considerably. I think it’s happening to a lot of people. Iron sharpens iron, and daily bible study in the form of discussion with other believers via forums (like this one) and social media like FaceBook is very rewarding.

[Shark24]

If you have a few minutes you might enjoy this video from a teen Confirmation retreat this last May. Some of the leadership team were interviewed on why they serve and the second half shows praise and worship. The video was done by a talented 16 year old girl. Mrs. Shark24 is interviewed at about the 5:50 mark. Working with teens and young adults that are on fire yet still growing in their Faith gives me great hope and also keeps me young. God bless and just want to say I always enjoy your posts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJSSkE44eSI&t=38s

[litehaus]

“A Godless nation will fall.”

I WISH you were wrong, but most know where the country is headed...NOT good......The faithful will not feel HIS wrath I trust.....

[HarleyLady27]

Thank you for that...and thank you for appreciating what I see happening...

Our young people are aware of what is happening, I volunteer at our Church a lot, and also some other places and I can see how smart our young people are becoming...

There will always be the ‘thugs and others’ just part of life, but we have hope that things are turning around in Our Great Country...with religion and other things...

Thank you...