[MARTIAL MONK]

As with most institutions, especially social ones, Christianity is reforming under our very noses and we can't see it. Look at the number of young people who describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious" and you will see the next generation of Christians. The next generation Church will be vibrant, alive and optimistic. A sharp contrast to the dour, sour and dogmatic Muslims.

Or others.

[durasell]

Islam is also reforming — I’ve seen it. That may be part of the problem.

[puroresu]

The next generation of American Christians will be like the ones in Europe: Churches with empty pews and aging leaders apologizing to Muslims and worrying about global warming to court favor with the media.

[June Cleaver]

Living in Austin I meet a large number of people who are "spiritual not religious".

Typically they mean they like the stuff you get out of a religion without having to put up with the stuff you put in.

That is, they want the fellowship, the community, the sense of security of knowing that there is more to life than our time here on earth, but they don't want to have to put up with any rules. They believe that god(s) care enough about them to love them but not to impose any rules on the way they have to live, and that "any path" is OK.

Incidentally I have a large number of Hindu acquaintances at school. I'm seeing more any more Christians drifting towards a Vedic like belief that all ways to god/spirituality are OK. I was at a church a while ago and a few members actually confided in me that they didn't really believe in God, but they liked the idea of belonging to a church. That certainly took me off guard...

-paridel