(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.

As a non-christian I still am bothered by the fact that so many of the people who come down so hard and trash christians the way they do are so quick to rush to the defense of other cultures/religions that are much worse and still practicing a lot of the most damning parts of christianity today.