The Reason Christianity is Dying in the West

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Evangelism does have identifying hallmarks and recognizable doctrinal schools of thought, even when crossing denominational lines.

I can tell you as a 40-something year old who was raised in the South in evangelical churches, and whose family and extended relatives are still heavily involved in those circles…there’s been a noticeable decline. Even in the last five years.
 
Do you read what I post? I already answered that question. I’ll not repeat myself.
 
QContinuum said:
Evangelism does have identifying hallmarks and recognizable doctrinal schools of thought, even when crossing denominational lines.
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I’m not sure what exactly you’re referring to here.
But the idea that if the population grows x%, then Christian affiliation should grow exactly by x% is not realistic. Most of the population growth in the US is from immigration.
QContinuum said:
there’s been a noticeable decline.
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It’s anecdotal. Losses here, gains there.

I’ll make myself clear for everyone, I haven’t denied a decline is possible. I’m not blind to the challenges Christianity is facing. I’m simply providing context.
 
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ATraveller said:
Most of the population growth in the US is from immigration.
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Considering that immigration has slowed down in the last four to five years (Obama was much quieter about his deportations, but they were increased under his watch), Evangelical churches should not see their overall proportion drop.
 
I am not following what you post, and frankly, since you’ve decided to get rude about it, I’m no longer interested in discussing this with you. You quite simply make no sense to me. Good evening.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
I am not following what you post, and frankly, since you’ve decided to get rude about it,
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Sorry for the short tone. It is obvious you are not following what I wrote. I already clarified my position twice. I don’t think it’s strange to be annoyed at being asked to explain yet again. Especially since you can find the answer by scrolling up.

Good night to you as well.
 
I would not presume to know the reasons this fellow asserts Christianity is dying. Modernity and the fast paced lifestyle of western civilization doesn’t help matters. I would prefer to live a structured and methodical, contemplative life as provided by the traditional Church. But of course that is not for everyone. It would be nice for youth to be exposed to traditional value systems, but the fast paced technological world has consumed the attention span of Millennials and today’s youth. Unfortunate. The best we can do is keep the classical structures and traditions going, and welcome those who are attracted to this orientation.
 
ATraveller said:
Relevant for a more localised context but on a ‘macro’ level it becomes much weaker.
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My particular observations span church communities in three different states since 1999. Hardly comprehensive, but certainly broad enough to give a good indication of how things are going.

And the evangelicals are suffering the same declines. It’s a frequent topic in their churches and conventions and a source of angst, just like Catholics. They are losing huge numbers of their youth to secularism.

I actually think the CC is on a bit firmer ground than the evangelicals are, despite the former’s considerable losses over the same time period.
 
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QContinuum said:
And the evangelicals are suffering the same declines.
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Again, the stats have not shown this. At least not yet.
QContinuum said:
It’s a frequent topic in their churches and conventions and a source of angst, just like Catholics.
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Of course. Even growing conventions or congregations are concerned. They aren’t blind or idle as some would wrongly assume.
QContinuum said:
They are losing huge numbers of their youth to secularism.
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Not a surprise for some churches. It also raises an important question on how that is measured at the local level.
QContinuum said:
I actually think the CC is on a bit firmer ground than the evangelicals are, despite the former’s considerable losses over the same time period.
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I agree.
 
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steve-b said:
Wealth is not evil. It’s love of wealth that is evil.
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This falls flat when you look at how much time and energy is spent upon gaining wealth.

For the overwhelming majority of us, to have wealth is to love it.

Like the man who wanted to build more and bigger barns to store his excess grain.

“You fool. What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?”

Jesus warned that it is extremely difficult for the wealthy to enter into the kingdom of God.

Why?

Because where your treasure is, there will your heart also be. - Jesus of Nazareth
 
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A lot of the youth leave Evangelical churches because they seek faith grounded more in tradition.

I know I couldn’t stand another praise worship rock band concert by the time I left in my early 20’s.
 
QContinuum said:
A lot of the youth leave Evangelical churches because they seek faith grounded more in tradition.
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I’m not denying that. Some Evangelical churches are practically Bible-free figuratively. Many move to Reformed or New Calvinist churches, which technically are Evangelical.
QContinuum said:
I know I couldn’t stand another praise worship rock band concert by the time I left in my early 20’s.
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That’s me except the leaving part.
 
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Well…I didn’t leave Christianity. I went Anglican/ Episcopalian.

The funny thing is I half expected my teen son to be attracted to the antics of some Evangelical churches after all the staid Episcopal services.

Not so - he finds their preaching lasts far longer than his (miniscule) attention span will allow, lol.
 
QContinuum said:
The funny thing is I half expected my teen son to be attracted to the antics of some Evangelical churches after all the staid Episcopal services.
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I’m tired of older people assuming all millennials are easily amused. We’re not all like that.
 
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No offense intended. My expectation wasn’t predicated upon shallow motives in my son but the allowance for typical teenage rebellion.

I wish younger people did not always assume the worst of we older ones.
 
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