(11-24-2021 04:03 PM)TylerTiger Wrote: (11-24-2021 03:34 PM)umbluegray Wrote: (11-24-2021 02:54 PM)TylerTiger Wrote: (11-24-2021 02:50 PM)bluebacker Wrote: (11-24-2021 02:03 AM)geosnooker2000 Wrote: It was a huge mistake to not go after Liberty to join the a AAC.
Too much hatred of the Christian religion.
The liberal / Marxist main stream media and most of academia and most of Hollywood have sowed their seeds of hatred and propaganda for decades now and, particularly with the last two generations it has done its work.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's not the angry self-righteousness, or violation of individual rights throughout history due to religion (or Christianity) in this country, or the sudden mingling of Christianity and nationalism that's pervading the American church in many places. And I am sure it's not the hypocrisy of many religious figures in this country that hasn't turned people away.
Care to elaborate?
Sure.
Which part?
The part of Christianity being used to promote slavery in the early days of the country? Or even for segregation? Or the use of Christianity to violate the privacy of individuals because they were homosexual like the anti-sodomy laws that pretty much were "constitutional" up until 2003? And how Christianity is finding a new target in trans people?
Obviously, I am someone who is pro-choice so I also see that as a violation of rights based on religious/Christian grounds through various anti-abortion laws which some them are beyond draconian or incomprehensible. But that's a more complex argument.
As for nationalism pervading Christianity, or this weird American Identity pinching hitting for Christianity, it seems to be growing a lot amongst the Republican Party. You can see it easily among the weird "QAnon" ranks. I see it on Fox News or OANN, but I specifically see it growing among conversations here in South Carolina. To the extent of its worse type of manifestations, there is a "Patriot Church" in Knoxville, TN that conflates the two together, with also some bigoted sermons.
I also couldn't give you enough on the hypocrisy of many so called Christians, which also include political issues (of how they view Trump and Biden altogether), but also people who are massive figures like Joel Osteen and the Falwells (pretty much any evangelical of that level).
Hypocrisy is not a attribute of Christianity of course. But if you're wondering why there is souring in America towards Christianity and religion altogether and the church (nevermind big scandals like child abuse in Catholic churches), then these things all play a role. I am sure some of academia and propaganda has played some role, but I think it lacks self-awareness not to notice how religion has marginalized people in the country.
If Christianity wants to grow back, it's probably going to have to step away and analyze itself of how to return back to the ideas of Christ, and not the ideas of Americanism here in the U.S. . They're not one in the same.
It was also Christians who brought forth the end to slavery in both England and the U.S.
Did you know that non-Christians were involved in slaving as well? In fact, slave trading has existed throughout human history and all people groups of varying religions and non-religions have participated.
You may not realize this, but slavery still exists today in certain parts of the world.
What is modern slavery?
You're right regarding sexual abuse. It's horrendous. Did you know that not
all Catholic priests are guilty of that? Did you also know that child sexual abuse is not limited to Christians? Have you seen Hollywood?
And sexual abuse of children has existed throughout history as well. Did you know there was a tribe in the Caribbean that would kidnap women and children from a neighboring tribe? They killed and ate the boys and impregnated the girls and women to produce more boys to eat.
If that wasn't warped enough, today leftists actually support the cannibals/rapists, the Canib & Carib tribes. Those tribes continuously violated the Taino tribe. The Tainos allied with Christopher Columbus who fought with the Tainos against the Canibs & Caribs. When you hear Columbus being denigrated for slaughtering native tribes, you now know the real story. He should be considered a hero.
You may also be aware that godless atheists have been largely responsible for the bloodiest century in human history, the 20th century. Communism killed 100,000,000 to 200,000,000+ people.
And we have people in the U.S. marching in the streets openly stating their desire for this government to fall and to be replaced with Communism.
It doesn't surprise me that Christianity has fallen out of favor. And I pity those who believe the lies they've been fed.