I see polls that show the majority of Americans (or Merkins as one of my friends used to say) are Christian. After sixty years of field observations in 42 states I would disagree. What Merkins are really good at is checking the right boxes on polls.
The situation as I see it. Most people here confront the issue of religion like this:
"Are you a Christian?"
"Yes."
"Okay, so am I."
Note that there is no proof needed, the claim is all that is required. Once the person has said the right thing the matter is dropped. They don't have to tend to the sick or feed the poor or even observe the Sabbath, they just have to say the right thing. And they say it defensively to avoid having to deal with the issue.
Church attendance is down. People give more money to Steve Jobs than they do to their churches. They certainly don't act like Christians (unless Jesus said it's okay to nearly kill someone to get one car-length ahead on the morning commute.)
So, if you hear "Americans mostly Christian", you can be safe in thinking, "or so they claim."
The issue is how to get them to be honest about their actual lack of religion.
The situation as I see it. Most people here confront the issue of religion like this:
"Are you a Christian?"
"Yes."
"Okay, so am I."
Note that there is no proof needed, the claim is all that is required. Once the person has said the right thing the matter is dropped. They don't have to tend to the sick or feed the poor or even observe the Sabbath, they just have to say the right thing. And they say it defensively to avoid having to deal with the issue.
Church attendance is down. People give more money to Steve Jobs than they do to their churches. They certainly don't act like Christians (unless Jesus said it's okay to nearly kill someone to get one car-length ahead on the morning commute.)
So, if you hear "Americans mostly Christian", you can be safe in thinking, "or so they claim."
The issue is how to get them to be honest about their actual lack of religion.
