Comments on: Gallup Poll: Religion declining in influence

By: Jumper2.0

Jumper2.0 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:07:52 +0000

Sure?
But I think it’s simple.
I can only express this from a Christian faith, but Jesus is clear that faith in him is about a personal relationship and not about religion.
And a personal relationship leads to caring about what Jesus cared about and following the example of love and faith that he exhibited! Jesus spent his time with those that were not considered religious, in fact his criticisms were of the religious, not of Rome or government, etc.

So if you had faith and it didn’t affect your life, then what kind of faith is that?

And if you have many that have faith and it didn’t have an influence on life, then again, what kind of faith is that?

Religion on the other hand is not about faith (not about the heart), it’s about following external rules to get it “right with God” and/or for a reward at the end. Obviously some good has come out of it, but also some bad!

By: Tim Stroud

Tim Stroud — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:21:27 +0000

Jumper2.0, I don’t understand how faith having less influence is bad. Maybe you can expand on that.

By: Jumper2.0

Jumper2.0 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:22:10 +0000

It seems to me that Religion and faith is used interchangeably here? Am I misunderstanding ! They are two completely different things. Religion having less influence in America may be good in some ways, bad in others. But faith having less influence is just plain bad!

By: deanna

deanna — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:54:14 +0000

Hey, Bill –
Another great post… and a great catalyst for discussion.
BTW, there’s a thing called a Premio Dardos award circulating among blogs and I’ve given you one. You can read why on my blog at http://DeAnnaCameron.blogspot.com (not the belly dance blog).
Sorry, there’s no cash equivalent for the prize…
Talk to you soon

By: Tim Stroud

Tim Stroud — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:43:02 +0000

Religious influence rises and decline in cycles like the stock market. If it were a stock, and has found a bottom, maybe it would be time to buy. But if you check back in a hundred years I do not believe that you would find much difference between its influence now and in that future.

For Jenny, I get the feeling that you are the type of person that would find love, hope and optimism all around you without the aid of your faith in god. But if that is what sustains you in your life and if that promotes an honest and open environment for you to flourish, then good for you.

For me, I must be honest within myself and say that I see no hand of god, no divine intervention, in all of the history of the human species. And sometimes I see good people, that act more in line with the Christian principles whether they are Christian or not, than does some non-existent, and therefore non-acting, god.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:21:50 +0000

That’s one poll.
Some may chose to have faith in Gallup, others like me, have faith in God.

But which one gives you hope? Remind me again what Gallup brings you? Does it stir your soul? Does being an Atheist making you any happier?

I still vote for God and love and hope and optimism for a soulful eternity and I still see mostly beauty all around me everyday. I chose to.

Yes, I see bad things and bad people and predators, some of whom despicably cloak themselves in religious garments. But I don’t see God in those people. The Bible’s teachings don’t see God in those people either. God is NOT in those people. The Bible is very explicit in its warnings about these people.

Gallup’s one poll that the crowd is leaning toward giving up on God can’t convince me to join in and give up on love, hope, optimism for eternity and beauty, too. It’s a choice I make.

Love you, friend.

And Happy New Year – I am hoping 2009 will be a better year for us, too!