Christianity is at a crossroads. Socialist cultural democracy clashes with ancient doctrine. We humans desperately need an enlightened vision of the spiritual universe.
The post WW2 baby boom produced a prolific growth in mainline church attendance during the 1950s. Americans scrambled for a conventional Sunday experience wrapped in an increasingly ecumenical, open-minded theology. By the 1970s, however, many Christians had turned to a more conservative theology, leading to the growth of evangelical and bible text centered faiths. Mainline church attendance began to decline. Thousands of churches closed. There was strong growth, however, within the Catholic Church (largely due to the migration of Mexican and South American Catholics into the United States), the Southern Baptist Convention, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), and Pentecostal churches. The Roman Catholic (69 million), Southern Baptist (16.3 million), and Methodist (8.1 million) churches remain the three largest denominations in the country. (NCC)
Overall Church attendance is declining (down 12% from 2000 2006). Declines have been particularly noticeable among mainline churches started before 1960. By contrast, nine out of ten new congregations have been started by evangelicals. More than 95 percent of America's very large churches espouse an evangelical theology. (NCC)
Church membership growth is not keeping up with population growth, and on any given Sunday less than 20% of Americans will walk through a Church door. If there is any growth in attendance, it is for the very large mega churches and within the thousands of very small congregations. (NCC)
There has been a significant fragmentation of theology within Christianity. Absent charismatic leadership, the Christian experience mostly centers around ancient tradition and doctrine.
Fossil fuel depletion will drive a cataclysmic change to our Cultural EcoSystem. Confusion. Distrust. Fear. Hurt. Economic deprivation. Psychological trauma. Millions are going to need the comfort of a stable and re-assuring religious experience. We will seek solace.
Will our religious institutions be able to handle the challenge?
Absolutely yes. But they will need time to get organized. Religious organizations are, after all, human institutions. There will be a temptation to rely on obsolete theology in a crumbling Cultural EcoSystem. But the old ways will not work. This is change on the gut level. Successful religious groups will evolve into inclusive community institutions. Mix the theology with compassion and forget the politics. Rely on the goodness of middle class values.
Local religious groups can become a significant source of volunteer support for community activities. If local government is willing to identify these groups, and work with them, they can become a key component of organizing a response to the lifestyle challenges that lie ahead. These congregations provide a focus on human compassion, a psychological framework and reference for the bewildered, and a place to organize faith based volunteer support for the community.
Why am I concerned about the role of religion in the community?
Well. I am a Cultural Economist. And a positive, constructive religious experience will be a key component of successful communities. Inspirational worship and warm hospitality can do much to bring the community together.
The above text can be found in my book "Detensive Nation".
» left by Susan Thom(11,759) Susan Thom (1 year 102 days ago.)
hi The Cultural Economist,
this was a well written interesting article that makes one think.
thanks for sharing and i hope you continue writing,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Sandra E. Graham(7,546) Sandra E. Graham (1 year 101 days ago.)
Great article, interesting point of view and insight. The world will only survive if religion becomes more and more predominant in all our lives.
Sandra
» left by Teresa Ortiz(11,765) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 93 days ago.)
Nice article. Great points. The Bible is alive and active and nothing about it is boring and warn out. God's word is just as relavent today as it was three thousand years ago when the prophets were writing. The problem is the delivery. All too often the Holy Spirit is left out of the equation and the result is dull and dead theology. And you are right, we need more warmth and grace to bring communities together. This can be done without compromising the truth of the Bible. Thanks for a well researched article.
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