Did God answer your college prayers?

Parent Cafe
61

<p>

</p>

<p>That’s what I thought, too, but it’s apparently not true when the country is taken as a whole.</p>

<p>Surprisingly, the 2009 American Religious Identification Survey found that the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has almost doubled since 1990, from 8 to 15%. It’s especially interesting that this trend is most prevalent in the Northeast.</p>

<p>R. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says that religiously unaffiliated Americans are more likely to identify themselves as “spiritual” rather than “religious.” He says: “The post-Christian narrative is radically different; it offers spirituality, however defined, without binding authority. It is based on an understanding of history that presumes a less tolerant past and a more tolerant future, with the present as an important transitional step.”</p>

<p>[Meacham:</a> The End of Christian America | Newsweek Religion | Newsweek.com](<a href=“http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583/page/1]Meacham:”>http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583/page/1)</p>

62

<p>I think people in the US are becoming both more Atheistic and more Religious. We all just view it through our own lens. Both sides are more vocal than ever before. I don’t understand why the differing viewpoints have to be so vitriolic. If you don’t believe in God, good for you. If you do believe in God, good for you. Leave it at that.<br>
Unfortunately some people say you’re going to Hell and others don’t want some to speak their beliefs in public. The name calling is ridiculous from both sides. There is no point of compromise, but civility would be nice.</p>

63

<p>I’m certainly not a parent, but felt an impulse to post after the last few thoughts here. :rolleyes:</p>

<p>See, I don’t actually find that the US as a country is becoming more nonreligious…quite the opposite. Has anyone noticed how Christian values are slowly becoming synonymous with patriotism lately?</p>

<p>Recently people have gotten more independent, I suppose? And at least more open-minded and tolerant than before. A ton of people I know are willing to adjust the original-original Christian beliefs even more than they’ve already been retouched to say that all people who have a religion, for example, actually believe in another, or incomplete/slightly innocently incorrect version of God. In other words, because of the amount of good friends and associates of different religions they have, these people are willing to now believe that their friends are actually Christians too…and won’t go to hell after all…all while conveniently keeping their religious convictions, and thus, spiritual safety anchors, in place. ;)</p>

<p>Eh, it really doesn’t seem that luxurious for nonreligious people, however. Not that their number is increasing, I don’t think. It’s probably just because, again, due to a general improvement in opportunities, people are busier, more career-oriented, perhaps, and have less time to attend church and such. Thus maybe they don’t consider themselves Christian, but nevertheless believe deeply in a God, a Creator, high being(s), etc.</p>

<p>The amount of “godless” people, then, is still not much. I’d say, if anything, we’re becoming more and more religious, due to the fact that now religions can be happily modified to suit people’s needs. I mean, it’s not the traditions and rules of religion we need…it’s the mental stability, reassurance, and security of mind. I think in a way this is healthier. In a way.</p>

<p>lol I just wanted to share my views. :)</p>

64

<p>This is one is just not true:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>And this one is odd. Is there really a hierarchy of importance that just happens to put humans at the top? Is every swallow more important than every snail, and every snail more important than every bacterium? Is a more intelligent species elsewhere in the universe ranked above humans?</p>

<p>

</p>