Belief In God Plummets Among Youth (CHART)

[Tuffdisc]

You're blind if you think Christianity has any serious future in the West. The majority of people in the West hardly even know what Christ's teaching are anymore, nor do they study the bible.

Sorry, but saying you're Christian and going to church and MAYBE reading the bible once or twice a year is not good enough.


The writing is on the wall. History comes in waves and the Enlightenment with its materialistic (science & reason) have won out, along with cultural materialism. Comfort and safety are the new godhead.

While I admit that Church goers are dwindling and I never said in context to church goers, why would such words from Christ die? Love your enemies, forgive one another etc....:dunno: I shouldn't be judgemental on people going to church as non-Christian or Christian

 

[Minor Axis]

Probably they never believed in God or Christ in the first place. But I am not to judge other people, only myself

Sounds like rationalization or the group of actual Christians was a lot smaller than was thought. If you guess the numbers of people who really honor the teachings attributed to Jesus, my guess are the numbers are miniscule. I'm not saying that is a reason to abandon Christianity, but many/most(?) flavors of it have been corrupted by charasmatic leadership and the control issue.

 

[All Else Failed]

While I admit that Church goers are dwindling and I never said in context to church goers, why would such words from Christ die? Love your enemies, forgive one another etc....:dunno: I shouldn't be judgemental on people going to church as non-Christian or Christian

Maybe you should be a bit more judgmental, since tons of people who call themselves "Christians" are basically lying about it.


and why should I love my enemy

 

[Tuffdisc]

Maybe you should be a bit more judgmental, since tons of people who call themselves "Christians" are basically lying about it.


and why should I love my enemy

Sorry, but if I judge, I get judged. Y'know

 

[Tuffdisc]

Maybe you should be a bit more judgmental, since tons of people who call themselves "Christians" are basically lying about it.


and why should I love my enemy

Why should you love your enemy? Just look around you when enemies don't love one another

 

[Minor Axis]

Maybe you should be a bit more judgmental, since tons of people who call themselves "Christians" are basically lying about it.


and why should I love my enemy

Why should you love your enemy? Just look around you when enemies don't love one another

You guys are putting me in a bad situation, having to explain scripture to you, lol. It really does sound like an alien concept, but it was Jesus's. We can love our enemies if we hold the premise we are all human beings with a basic core of goodness, and then evaluate why they hate our guts and alter our behavior to evaluate and address these feelings. Look at the Middle East for a prime example. Western powers, especially the U.S. have been in there meddling for decades and all most exclusively dealing with dictators who hold their people down. No wonder they hate our guts. Of course in Jesus's eyes this does not allow those haters off the hook either. And yes this is a philosophical/moral discussion based on a religious premise.

 

[darkcgi]

honestly surveys are very very limited
for instance I didn't get asked and neither did anyone I know

 

[Leananshee]

Maybe you should be a bit more judgmental, since tons of people who call themselves "Christians" are basically lying about it.


and why should I love my enemy

The actual translation reads more like treating your enemy with "persistent good will". There's not a good English word for that. The reason for it is because holding ill will toward someone is an investment of your time that person doesn't deserve. You create a space in your psyche for someone undeserving of it. There's a passage that says if you forgive your enemy you heap hot ashes on his head. To me that means by refusing to let an enemy's transgressions hold a place in your heart he has no power over you.

That's why.

 

[Greatest I am]

It is plummeting because materialism, comfort and the general breakdown of western civilization taking hold. Religion is too demanding for the modern two legged cow.


Speaking as an atheist, religiosity needs to make a comeback.

I agree more with this bishop who wants a return to spirituality but without the divisiveness of religions.
We should be thinking for all of us and not us and them.

Regards
DL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AfFcAmx-Ro&feature=relmfu

 

[Tuffdisc]

honestly surveys are very very limited
for instance I didn't get asked and neither did anyone I know

Correct, they only target a small population. I think John went out and targeted atheists to be honest in order to make his point

 

[All Else Failed]

Sorry, but if I judge, I get judged. Y'know

you judge people all the time


don't try this stuff with me it is impossible for humans NOT to judge

The actual translation reads more like treating your enemy with "persistent good will". There's not a good English word for that. The reason for it is because holding ill will toward someone is an investment of your time that person doesn't deserve. You create a space in your psyche for someone undeserving of it. There's a passage that says if you forgive your enemy you heap hot ashes on his head. To me that means by refusing to let an enemy's transgressions hold a place in your heart he has no power over you.

That's why.

on the contrary, if a person deserves hatred they deserve it

that is probably a good or equal to investment of my time especially if they have done something grievous towards me


ill will and hatred can be powerful motivators


anyways, this flies in the face of hardwired human nature, so it is useless

 

[Tuffdisc]

you judge people all the time


don't try this stuff with me it is impossible for humans NOT to judge




on the contrary, if a person deserves hatred they deserve it

that is probably a good or equal to investment of my time especially if they have done something grievous towards me


ill will and hatred can be powerful motivators


anyways, this flies in the face of hardwired human nature, so it is useless

Do I judge people? Where?

 

[Leananshee]

on the contrary, if a person deserves hatred they deserve it

that is probably a good or equal to investment of my time especially if they have done something grievous towards me


ill will and hatred can be powerful motivators


anyways, this flies in the face of hardwired human nature, so it is useless

Science has already made great strides in disproving that there is anything about the brain that is permanently hardwired, so if you think that's the ultimate source of your nature you're already wrong.

You can, however, create a whole world around revenge against anyone and everyone who has wronged you. Hate is a powerful motivator, to be sure, but toward what? It's one thing to learn from being wronged, another entirely to create worlds in your psyche bent on hatred.

 

[Minor Axis]

on the contrary, if a person deserves hatred they deserve it

that is probably a good or equal to investment of my time especially if they have done something grievous towards me

What's your faith? Please don't tell me you are a Christian. If so you need to go back to Jesus school.

 

[Tuffdisc]

What's your faith? Please don't tell me you are a Christian. If so you need to go back to Jesus school.

He doesn't believe in God

 

[Tuffdisc]

you judge people all the time


don't try this stuff with me it is impossible for humans NOT to judge




on the contrary, if a person deserves hatred they deserve it

that is probably a good or equal to investment of my time especially if they have done something grievous towards me


ill will and hatred can be powerful motivators


anyways, this flies in the face of hardwired human nature, so it is useless

No one is "hardwired" to behave in a certain, to be honest that is just rubbish. Are you hardwired to come on OTz 24/7? I doubt it.

Everyone can change their habits and their ways, otherwise the Bible would be just a book aimed at people who behave in a loving and peaceful manner who are hardwired to behave and believe in that way

 

[Greatest I am]

Science has already made great strides in disproving that there is anything about the brain that is permanently hardwired, so if you think that's the ultimate source of your nature you're already wrong.

You can, however, create a whole world around revenge against anyone and everyone who has wronged you. Hate is a powerful motivator, to be sure, but toward what? It's one thing to learn from being wronged, another entirely to create worlds in your psyche bent on hatred.

[video]http://www.ctvnews.ca/babies-may-know-good-from-evil-new-study-1.511477[/video]

It may not be permanent or un-malleable but is this baby showing that it is hardwired and acting upon that hardwired information?

If not, what is guiding the baby?

Regards
DL

 

[Leananshee]

Interesting, but I was referring more to research conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz at UCLA, who's now proven that his OCD patients can rewire their own brains via directed therapy, actually measured by fMRI. It used to be believed that the brain, once wired a certain way could not be rewired. It's already been shown not to be the case with brain trauma patients, but it's the case with everyone. The concept is neuroplasticity. I get that we have a certain amount of wiring of autonomic functions as well as some innate ones we're born with, but the latter can be undone by experience or intent.

 

[Greatest I am]

Thanks for this.

Regards
DL

 

[Stone]

Thanks for this.

Regards
DL

Hope this doesn't deflate you, that doesn't necessarily mean you are being worshiped to a greater degree.