blazingthru
Well-Known Member
It’s the fastest growing religion in the United States. More than 7.5 million Americans have joined it since 2012. What is it? And what does the Bible have to say about it?
Religion in America keeps sliding and dipping. Some call it the “Great Decline.” Since 2012, the number of people in the United States who are no longer active in religion has increased by three percent. This group, often called secularists, indicates in polls their religious preference as “none.”
“Last week, the 2014 General Social Survey [GSS] was released. The GSS is the gold standard for sociological surveys. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this multimillion-dollar study gives us the most accurate data on American society — including religion.” [1]
The latest report of GSS states that almost 1 in 4 Americans prefer “no religion.” As late as the 1990s, this class was still in the single digits, but now makes up 23 percent of the population. It is nearly the same size as the number of Catholics in the nation. The same poll also reveals that 35 percent of Americans do not attend church (apart from weddings and other services). That’s a 5 percent increase in the last few years. And the number of people who say they never pray jumped from 14 percent to 17 percent.
Some are blaming this decline over the perceived “bigotry” of religious people against homosexuals. Others point to the growing child abuse allegations in certain denominations. Or perhaps, they say, people are simply becoming more “enlightened” and objective, whereas those who believe in God and the Bible are clinging to ancient and outdated relics of a primitive age. What about the influence of radical religious groups in the Middle East or the advancement of science?
Though there are a few voices claiming the world is actually getting better (there are indeed some bright spots), we can plainly see the rampant violence, wars, epidemics, and natural catastrophes. Even as the gospel spreads to more people groups in the world, the divide between God’s followers and the world will only increase, until the Lord announces, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still … he who is righteous, let him be righteous still” (Revelation 22:11).
The Bible predicts a decline in true spirituality. It states,
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
The finger of blame for the drop in religion in America is quick to aim at the failures of others, but slow to point at the increase in self-centered living, the obsession with materialism, and the love of entertainment. People are not interested in following God, whose laws and precepts cross paths with their sinful desires. Jesus didn't need to take a poll when He predicted, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Religion in America keeps sliding and dipping. Some call it the “Great Decline.” Since 2012, the number of people in the United States who are no longer active in religion has increased by three percent. This group, often called secularists, indicates in polls their religious preference as “none.”
“Last week, the 2014 General Social Survey [GSS] was released. The GSS is the gold standard for sociological surveys. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this multimillion-dollar study gives us the most accurate data on American society — including religion.” [1]
The latest report of GSS states that almost 1 in 4 Americans prefer “no religion.” As late as the 1990s, this class was still in the single digits, but now makes up 23 percent of the population. It is nearly the same size as the number of Catholics in the nation. The same poll also reveals that 35 percent of Americans do not attend church (apart from weddings and other services). That’s a 5 percent increase in the last few years. And the number of people who say they never pray jumped from 14 percent to 17 percent.
Some are blaming this decline over the perceived “bigotry” of religious people against homosexuals. Others point to the growing child abuse allegations in certain denominations. Or perhaps, they say, people are simply becoming more “enlightened” and objective, whereas those who believe in God and the Bible are clinging to ancient and outdated relics of a primitive age. What about the influence of radical religious groups in the Middle East or the advancement of science?
Though there are a few voices claiming the world is actually getting better (there are indeed some bright spots), we can plainly see the rampant violence, wars, epidemics, and natural catastrophes. Even as the gospel spreads to more people groups in the world, the divide between God’s followers and the world will only increase, until the Lord announces, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still … he who is righteous, let him be righteous still” (Revelation 22:11).
The Bible predicts a decline in true spirituality. It states,
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
The finger of blame for the drop in religion in America is quick to aim at the failures of others, but slow to point at the increase in self-centered living, the obsession with materialism, and the love of entertainment. People are not interested in following God, whose laws and precepts cross paths with their sinful desires. Jesus didn't need to take a poll when He predicted, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
