Who or what is killing Christianity?

superme wrote: The topic says it all. We know Christianiy is declining, but that applies to others as well. But who is to blame for it's decline?

Why does there need to be a blame, especially on someone??, I hate that!  

Society changes over time, civilation changes, peoples thoughts and the way they do things changes to, beliefs change also its not immune to it. With each generation there is something new to offer.

To be confined in a box is not what humans are made for, we need to explore we need to expand and grow and all that, if things don't change we don't evolve. 

No one is to blame, its a fact of life that things change, if it doesn't then things stagnat and die. Christianity isn't exactly dying its the way people believe that is changing, and with more studies on scriptures and what they mean, a more understanding comes to light and that changes to.

If christianity didn't change we would still probably be in the dark ages and getting burnt at the stake!  

Or believing in many gods still

superme,

There are a variety of factors in the decline of any faith.  I'm with Patty on the Hollywood influence.  Values are pushed, alternative lifestyles, even religions. You know that Madonna practices Kabbalah, Tom Cruise Scientology, Mia Farrow is Buddhist I think...they make these faiths look "cool" to youngsters. 

The second is families no longer have a focus on faith, being too religious is something to be suspicious of and to avoid.  The focus on secularization is bleeding from government to society at large.  With Multicuturalism, children are given options and educations in other faiths and cultures.

Then there is another one that I feel is the most destructive element.  Hypocrisy.  Churches are leaving behind traditional values and the teachings of the bible.  They are accepting homosexual bishops, not punishing adulterers and remaining silent on couples living in sin.  Churches that do still punish are considered harsh and controlling.  I believe in repentence like the next person, but you have to be willing to give up the sin for it to work.

My husband was very nearly excommunicated for us living together prior to our marriage.  The only thing that saved him was the fact that we had realized we were in the wrong, we married right away and we were honestly repentent of that fact.  Many other "Protestant" churches would have said nothing.  The Eastern Orthodox Church refused to marry us for two reason, he was not Orthodox (not even if he'd been another accepted Christian faith) and we were living in sin.  Thus we had a civil marriage.  I respect the Eastern Church and the Mormons for their dedication to their teachings.  Christianity as a whole seems to be losing this dedication even if some churches, like the Catholic Church, Orthodox and Mormon churches are holding onto the old fashioned values.

I don't quite get your point, Supreme.  Rome was at it's apex when the Constantine took over.  The "fall" of the Roman Empire happened while Rome was Christian many years later.

Science did not come about until centuries later.

And I don't think Christianity is dying at all. Changing and evolving, but not dying.  Europe's old churches seem to have a problem, but elsewhere in the world Christianity is on the upswing.

Hmm I have to say, knowing many people who were rasied "Christian" and who left Ithink it has to do with the fact that people are more exposed to ideas and as a soceity with more access to information, less likely to take things on the basic idea of "just believe."  When people look for answers about their existence they have problems with some of the basic tenants of Christianity.

Plus there is a complete de-emphasizing of generla spirituality in our world. People see so many wars, killing of environment, cruelty and find that answers are lacking.. Then they say where is the merciful God?

Today I say a picture of a babty elephant in Thailand with its foot blown off from a landmind and it makes you feel there is no justice here.. none at all.. just suffering....

Plus you meet one of those people (like my aunt) who tells people they  aregoing to hell if you don't believe what she believes and you want no part of that.