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Think U.S. evangelicals are dying out? Well, define evangelicalism ...

13 Comments
By Ryan Burge, Eastern Illinois University

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Up until the 60's the religious held moral and political power in most Western nations and abused thier authority.

Now the tables are turned. Secular liberals are the oppressive power holders. This trend will continue and adherence to Christianity will continue to decline under increasing oppression and succumbing to materialism. This will be good for Christianity as a whole because only the truly strong, dedicated, humble and caring will be left. The half hearted, overly political and patriotic, TV evangelical, show off preachers, fair weather Christians etc will be gone.

And they will probably have to ditch thier useless money wasting mega churches and meet in small groups in homes, which is better.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Others have suggested that the alliance between white evangelicalism and Republicanism is largely to blame for the decline of evangelicals. They believe that becoming so intertwined with the polarizing figure of former President Donald Trump has marginalized evangelicals in the public arena, making it even less likely for them to win over new converts.

Evangelicalism has been one of the strongest influences on the downward path of the American republic.

Tax these disgusting "mega-churches" and their prosperity gospel.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I see evangelicals as heretics and not christians. They say one thing and do something else.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Trump aligned himself with the evangelicals and as group they dominate the Republican Party.

As a group they are disturbing, offering retrogressive views based on a bronze-age Mediterranean tribal religion. They are anti science and oppressive. The sooner their cult dies out the better.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

While I think it's fair to be critical of evangelicals for some wrong political positions, overt patriotism, support for gun ownership, legalism, etc, I also think we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Evangelical and other churches are massively generous givers of food and other aid to the poor, victims of disasters, DV victims, the sick, etc, etc....which is more than most of us can claim. The Samaritans Purse organisation founded by Franklin Graham is one of many examples. In this way evangelicals are fulfilling Jesus' commandment to 'love thy neighbor'.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

While the share of Americans who identify as evangelical by religious tradition does seem to be falling – from 19% to 16% for white evangelicals, according to a recent Pew survey

Their other survey shows Americans of Blacks/Mixed races at 26%, and Americans of Latino decent at 29%.

The real question is do these demographics really matter for the next presidential election?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just in case you didn't realise quite how insane the politicised wing if the evangelical movement is, here is Paula White's (Trump's spiritual advisor) speech, where she laughably talks in tongues:

https://youtu.be/6BtKLbypphM

The soundtrack improves it.

And if that wasn't enough, here is evengelist Kenneth Copeland reacting to news that Biden won the election: https://youtu.be/0cW8bHtJJKU

Evangelical Christians when used a tool of the far right are a clearly dangerous force.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

While I think it's fair to be critical of evangelicals for some wrong political positions, overt patriotism, support for gun ownership, legalism, etc, I also think we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

James Madison succinctly states one of the great problems of mixing religion and government:

 "The bill implies either that the Civil Magistrate is a competent Judge of Religious Truth; or that he may employ Religion as an engine of Civil policy. The first is an arrogant pretension falsified by the contradictory opinions of all Rulers in all ages, and throughout the world: the second an unhallowed perversion of the means of salvation."

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Now the tables are turned. Secular liberals are the oppressive power holders. 

How are liberals "oppressive". By refusing to allow religious dogmas to be used as an excuse to justify bigotry and discrimination against racial and ethnic groups or against ones sexual orientation, because some god commands it? Is the US a free society with guaranteed rights that apply regardless of of one's race, creed, sexual orientation, national orientation or disability, or it is a Christian theocracy ruled by preachers where one holy book is the law of the land? What is it? I am born and raised in the US, served in the military as a pilot, have a service connected disability, continue to serve as a civilian analyst but am not myself a Christian and see no reason the law, my government or anyone who works in that government should judge me differently simply because I don't adhere to the religion of the majority. That is what the US is about. That Christians want to apply the rules of the bible to government policy or to be able to discriminate against those who they view as somehow "sinners" (look in the mirror) is not "religious frreedom" but is actually religious oppression.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Evangelical Christians when used a tool of the far right are a clearly dangerous force.

I agree. I'm not Christian but have friends who are. They generally have attitudes like those in the song linked below.

Some lyrics:

You say it lights every pathway, Shows me how to live life, For the rest of my days

But I can't put my faith in, Your words and demands

I believe in God alright, It's folk like you I just can't stand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK2EIdq9oLA

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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