And the signs are many. My views notwithstanding, that religion, all religion, is based on fear, superstition and ancient fables, let us look at some objective indicators of Christianity's rapid demise. (And it cannot come too soon!):
- Pedophilia rampant in the priesthood
- No women allowed to be priests in this modern world (Women are in the majority, you know)
- Money-grubbing televangelists selling weird prayer cloths, prayers for your health and booklets of misinformation
- Comedic televangelists such as Jack Van Impe and Ernest Angley
- Elaborate churches that center on appearances and material things
- From recent local news, a local minister using a helocopter to get to church
- A demise of rational thought in science courses, i.e., teaching the falsehood of "Intelligent Design"
- Religious based scams, i.e., weight loss powders to sell to television viewers
- Highly political sermons having nothing to do with spirituality
- Lack of coordination among Christian churches - Each has its own "way to heaven" it seems
- Sermons on television that are aimed at the lowest level of intelligence in their viewing regions
- Elitism and materialism being sold to viewers on programs promising wealth in return for tithes
These are just a few of the things that come immediately to mind, all of which are eroding the value of religion, Christianity in particular. Herds of people are switching religions from Christianity to Buddhism, Wicca, and lesser known but popularized religious cults.
Actually, I love watching televangelists for their entertainment value. And there is nothing like going to a live, fire and brimstone revival for a fascinating look at the masses of people being duped. Such shows used to be performed inside tents; some still are, but now the modern revivalist has a large church auditorium or scope-like theater in which to perform comfortably.
And a big secret that is really an obvious truth is that one can be a spiritually enlightened person without being a church-goer, without even being Christian, without belonging to any religion at all. Just find something in your neighborhood or city that can profit from your help, then give that help selflessly.
There are a number of good churches, churches not in the lime-light of disgraceful behavior, but they are getting harder and harder to find. Look for the church that has a large number of local congregants, and a large number of volunteers within its ranks. Look for the church that works locally, not sending missionaries around the world, but helping its own neighborhood. Look for a ramshackl building that is rich in spiritual energy and does not waste resources on appearances. Sure, have a decent building if you want, but don't waste resources on gaudiness, as one non-Protestant Christian faith is prone to do. Stained glass windows are pretty, but they do not feed the poor, house the homeless or teach the children, as churches and the truly spiritual are supposed to do.
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Incomplete title for this opinion.
Archie says that "Christianity is in deep trouble." This very short-sighted. The title is missing a significant word: Christianity in America is in deep trouble.”
Christianity is in trouble in most countries that no longer suffer hardship. It is easy to forget God in such times.
There are more than 1.6 billion Christians in the world. America’s Christians represent a mere very small percentage of this, perhaps 5 percent.
Archie forgets to look at the big picture.
Also, Archie seems to gloat at the troubles of Christians as if he were to hope they disappeared altogether. Archie has to decide if he’d rather live in a land of Christian than the lands of Islam. Islam is not in trouble. In my opinion, in a major confrontation, it is the Christians who have the power to oppose and stop Islam. Islam is outnumbered by Christians. It is the Christian lands that have all the firepower.
Praise the Lord for Christianity.
I did read the whole thing
I did read the whole thing and commented on what I thought was silly. You'd do better if you did not automatically assume that anyone who doesn't see things your way, or finds your mode of discourse at times arrogant and obnoxious, is ignorant or illiterate (<-- zing away if it makes you feel better) My point is that there were no good old days for religion, so religion can't fail in the way you describe. The ills you list are the status quo, not augers of doom for religion in general or Christianity specifically. The nostalgia comment had to do with your use of a straw man--religion used to be better/different-- to prop up your attack. I've got various outlets for my opinions. These blogs are one. I obviously only react to what you bloggers write. If you don't want to engage the public, don't shout provocative things in the public square . . . or turn off your comments.
Noon
Your comment reads as if you did not read my words, or, if you did, you focused on one or two things and missed the point I so clearly made. Others got it. There is no nostalgia written or implied in my blog; that came solely from your mind.
My blog was about the habits of supposed Christians who are killing the religion. Some of those things were going on in ancient times as well. I appreciate your comments, but, please, read what I write before you comment, eh?
BTW, Noon, you should start to write your own blog; I would definitely read it and comment on it regularly.
Welcome to Earth
with the possible exception of the helicopter (insert painted wagon and team of oxen) and the intervention of television(insert old school theater tricks) everything you name has been part and parcel of religion since forever. They're weren't any good old days for religion . . . you're channeling nostalgia for relatively recent times in America where so-called polite people didn't talk about this sect or that. Christianity isn't going anywhere. The sky isn't falling. Atheists aren't going to finally get their due. Try to be rational. Welcome to planet Earth.
Christianity
All I have to say to Archie is, "Amen, brother!"
Answer these questions
If you are a believer in Christ, I ask you to read my fellow blogger, Timothy Utton, a self-proclaimed Christian and a Pastor:
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/old-testament-god-different-new-testament-god
Then I ask any to answer the questions I posed after his blog:
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/old-testament-god-different-new-testament-god#comment-640057
Oyvey . . .
The church has changed in 2,000 years, the Bible was written by men (perhaps a woman or two managed to sneak some words in), and organization has killed Christ's teachings. Paul and his ilk did a great deal of damage as well.
Perhaps I would have more respect for the church if it had kept to its Gnostic roots.
I like this post Archie
I just wrote my own on being a member of the spiritual left. I liked your points. The only one I would mention is: Lack of coordination among Christian churches - Each has its own "way to heaven" it seems. My church, Unity, revels in those different ways, celebrates the ways we can all make the community better no matter what "God" is yours. Maybe if there was less focus on "how to get there" and more about helping others we could focus on our commonalities instead the differences that seem so large. I quoted in my post, "the world is my country and my religion to do good." And you are right - stained glass windows don't feed the stomachs or souls of the community.
2,000 Years And Counting
No, Arch, this is one time you're wrong. Christianity is here for the duration. Since you watch church on TV, let me recommend Channel 14 at 8:00 A.M. on Sunday. Courtney McBath is one of a kind. With an engineering degree from MIT, he's no doubt smart enough, but he's also original, funny, and a cheerleader for the human race. Every now and then I watch his hour-long performance and then I go to my church, Christ and St. Luke's where I enjoy the music, the liturgy, and the brief homily. Christ and St. Luke's does soup kitchen...thanks again for the microwaves...does N.E.S.T., tutors kids in Park Place, provides a medical clinic at a village in Guatemala, supports a young woman who's serving as teacher in Central Africa, and at home in Norfolk, quietly provides financial help for various neighbors living on the economic edge. I hope that some Sunday you visit our service, not to sneer, but to enj