Christianity Is No Longer Americans’ Default Faith

The Barna Group ^ | January 12, 2009

[JSDude1]

America is not longer a Christian nation, though there is a remnant, we MUCH reach out to neighbors, friends, family. I hope God sends a revival to this land becuase right now the majority of Americans (picking my own plank here, but I humbly contend) most Americans are going to hell, and need to repent, hear with their ears, confess with their mouth, and turn to Christ!..

[stuartcr]

I find it hard, if not impossible, to equate belief with knowledge.

[stuartcr]

Please see my #22.

[Sopater]

I find it hard, if not impossible, to equate belief with knowledge.

Not equal, but knowledge is a factor in what I believe.

[stuartcr]

How do you show others the part of what you believe, is factual?

[MEGoody]

I find it hard, if not impossible, to equate belief with knowledge.

I understand. But the world often operates on belief, even in the realm of science. (Example: evolution is a belief that certain interpretations of evidence are correct.)

[Sopater]

How do you show others the part of what you believe, is factual?

I'm not sure I know what you mean.

[stuartcr]

How do you show others that your belief is factual? As an example, what facts do you use to show that this is not necessarily the way God wants things to happen? If using the bible as a reference, how do you show people that the bible is correct in this?

[stuartcr]

So, while many have and operate under differing beliefs, there really is no way of knowing if anyone is actually correct?

[Sopater]

How do you show others that your belief is factual?

If by "belief" you mean my "faith", I can't prove that what I believe is factual, but the facts support my belief.

As an example, what facts do you use to show that this is not necessarily the way God wants things to happen? If using the bible as a reference, how do you show people that the bible is correct in this?

God gives us commands because He wants us to follow them. He wants us to fellowship with Him and see Him for Who He is.

James 4:5-8
5 - Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "[1]He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?
6 - But He gives a greater grace Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
7 - Submit therefore to God Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

The bible talks about how God is angry when we reject His ways. I can't see how this could be what He wants.

Zephaniah 3:8
"Therefore wait for Me," declares the LORD,
"For the day when I rise up as a witness
Indeed, My decision is to gather nations,
To assemble kingdoms,
To pour out on them My indignation,
All My burning anger;
For all the earth will be devoured
By the fire of My zeal.

[stuartcr]

How do you show or prove to others, that what you believe to be God’s commands, really are God’s commands?

[MEGoody]

So, while many have and operate under differing beliefs, there really is no way of knowing if anyone is actually correct?

We will find out. ;)

[allmendream]

If you look at the numbers it is all “holier than thou” opinions of Americans about the faith of other Americans, not surprisingly the “holier than thou” contingent found the faith of other Americans ‘not sufficiently Christian’.

When asked about their own particular faith, the majority of Americans say they are Christian.

Apparently, when asked about the faith of their neighbors, the majority of Americans don’t think their neighbors are Christian enough.

[Sopater]

How do you show or prove to others, that what you believe to be God’s commands, really are God’s commands?

I believe that God spoke to mankind through the Bible. His commands are recorded there.

[stuartcr]

Maybe, thanks.

[stuartcr]

I understand that is what you believe, but how would you convey that to others, as actual knowledge and not just a belief?

[Sopater]

There is a great deal of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the veracity of the Bible, however the best way that I can convey to others that it is truly the word of the one true God is by the evidence of my personal life and the changes that He has made in it.

Also, the fact that the apostles, the men who knew Jesus firsthand, were willing to die for what they believed. What they believed is documented in the New Testament of the bible. The fulfilled prophecy of the Old Testament is evidence for it's authenticity.

[stuartcr]

Many have died for their beliefs, even non-Christians, but I suppose if someone knew you personally, then that may convey something of a message. Thanks

[Star Traveler]

You said — “Personally, I think Christ will return before we get that chance.”

Yes, indeed..., I think Christ is on the way for the Rapture, then comes the 7-year Tribulation (known as Jacob’s Trouble, too) and then Christ returns back to earth, on solid ground and wipes out Islam and all the Muslims in a bloody war that kills millions upon millions of them, before He returns to Jerusalem, ruling over Israel on the Throne of David, and to set up His world-wide government ruling over all the nations (the ones that still remain, who haven’t been wiped out, as the Muslim nations have been, at His hand...).

[stuartcr]

Seems that since God knows whats going to happen, He could have saved a lot of lives, by just not letting us develop religions.