Decline in Religious Beliefs?

The OMG thread got me thinking is it me or is religion in a decline?

I have no data to support what I'm about to say.

It does seem to me that fewer people are going to church or devotedly following their religions. It also seems like the people who do both of those things are becoming more vocal about it. This may just seem to be the case when they are compared to the people who don't though.

It could be that those two are related. People are turned off by extremism and people looking to draw in more people to their cause get more extreme. Which one came first is like a chicken or egg question. In reality they both probably started around the same time.

The question then becomes, is that good or bad for society? Or is it neither? It might just be a case of "the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Hmmm....

It is turning into something different than what we have had...

I think she sums up the current reasoning...

It could have been God/whoever/whatever...

But, if we have free will, how big of a part did he play?

I dont have any kind of an answer, just the question...


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I tend to think this is a cycle, there are periods in history where religions are a major factor, then times people are discouraged by mainstream religions and look to science or elsewhere for answers. Then we cycle back towards religions.
It happens over and over, all through our history.

The only data one could possibly have on this is people's own profession of belief, or rather, shady statistics made from sample polls or census at best. It isn't much, but that's as good as a basis can get for making a statement regarding that question and by that standard the answer is yes, they are. They have continuously been for a couple of centuries now though never quite as quickly and noticeably as in the recent years thanks to globalization and - believe it or don't - the internet in particular. They do grow in a few places and even in a few countries, but they are on a decline globally. That is also the main reason they are becoming louder, too, as Goken pointed out. They get more intense in the hope to keep the people they retain and to ensure that those will pass it down to the next generation. That's why their more outspoken branches keep trying to interfere with education, especially early education and sex education, and with politics in general.

But, as I said, there is the internet: A place where whatever you say, chances are, will be teared down the moment you hit the 'post'-button. No matter how strong your conviction or how prevalent your theology might be in the place you live, most of who you meet here will be believing something else, often opposed to some or most of what you believe yourself. If your argument has flaws here, there are enough thousands of vultures to feed on each of them until it breaks apart, never to rise again. To survive in a world like this, a message must be either rock-solid or it must be isolated from any and all scrutiny. And this is exactly what we see: The moderates, mostly tend to lose their faith to some extent or another, leaving a few to join the extreme ones, who, in turn, get more extreme still, because they can't afford being moderate anymore.

However, over many years of thinking about religion and faith, I have noticed that something sad and somewhat strange happens when we thank God:

Right we appeal to a higher something or another when we want somehing or are delivered from evil.

Another question are "religious" people realy living a spiritual live or in harmony of their beliefs.

I've call myself a 6/7 catholic many times. I try to be a good person 6 days a week but don't go to church on Sunday. Where as some people that go to church on Sunday are jerks for the other 6 days.

Our countries are no longer so isolated as they once were, pushing religion out of state politics, meaning people don't have to be afraid any more if they don't believe (obviously this doesn't include all countries).

Edan wrote: Our countries are no longer so isolated as they once were, pushing religion out of state politics, meaning people don't have to be afraid any more if they don't believe (obviously this doesn't include all countries).

Maybe they just don't want to be told what to belive or how to worship? My country was founded on that.

Rickie The Grey wrote: The OMG thread got me thinking is it me or is religion in a decline?

Well, in my country, the official state churches (Protestant and Catholic) have been bleeding members. Right now, if you go to church on Sunday, you'll notice that the average age of the church-goers is probably above 65.

I wouldn't say this means that there's a general decline in religion, however - at the same time, sects and cults have been gaining a lot of members. So perhaps it's just that the old-time churches have failed to transfer their mythology into the 21st century, while other religious organizations have not.

Another thing that just occured to me. I still consider myself Christian (while applying Jediism to it) but I hated going to church and I refuse to do it now. My theory is that if God is omnipotent then it doesn't matter what building I'm in or how I'm dressed, if I'm a good person He'll know.

I'll bet that alot of people in the younger generations have similar ideas and thus are religious but not church going. That would make it seem less like they're religious.

Also, with diversity and political correctness abound (in my area at least) it is just less acceptable to discuss your religion openly for fear of upsetting someone who doesn't share your beliefs. (also the fear of being labeled as an extremist). That could contribute to a percieved decline.

Just throwing out ideas.