Where is Christianity heading in America?

Courtesy of HuffingtonPost

Christianity is the most practiced religion in America, but according to a recent study by Pew Research Center the number of loyal followers of Christianity is declining and a share of the population are either moving to new faiths or choosing not to believe in religion at all.

Former teacher of the Hebrew faith William Barker considers himself to be a Yahudim, or a descendent of the Hebrew people in the Holy Bible.

Barker says he stopped practicing Christianity once he expanded his knowledge on the historical aspect of the practices in Christianity.

“I would say that I don’t believe in Christianity simply because of the historical aspect of the religion. It’s not what it’s cracked up to be. Historically, we know that Christianity comes from a pagan origin,” Barker said.

Barker believes that what sets his faith apart from other religions is the sole belief of the scriptures in the bible.

“I live by what the scripture says. It’s the living word. It’s the bread of life,” Barker said. “I don’t think that other religions hold the book in the same regard as far as being fully obedient to it, (and) fully submitting to the book and fully living that clean lifestyle that the book requires us to live.”

Barker admits that since he’s converted from Christianity to the Hebrew faith, he has been able to live a lifestyle that is pleasing to the Father.

Pew Research Center found that in 2014, Americans identifying as having no religion grew from 16-23 percent.

Ivory Council, Ph.D. environmental chemistry candidate at Florida A&M University, believes in Christianity as a religious concept, but not a personal belief system she adopted for herself.

“I believe in Christianity as a religious philosophy or ideology that probably the majority of people in the world do believe in, but I personally do not consider myself a Christian,” Council said.

Council doesn’t believe in just one deity. She believes there are many gods, or there are none.

“I believe in the divinity of us all, that each of us has a piece of whatever it is that God is within us,” Council said.

Council says that she is more free and fearless since adopting her new belief system.

Although the trend of adopting new faiths or belief systems is growing in America, there are still many people who are loyal to the Christian faith.

Father Robert O’Loughlin, a parish clergy from Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, is a stern believer in Christianity.

O’Loughlin says that the Orthodox Church follows after the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“We fall back to Christianity and Christ teachings,” O’Loughlin said.

O’Loughlin says that although they are aware of the decline in Christianity, the Orthodox tradition, and foundation is sturdier than ever.

 

Go to these links for more information:

http://shelinkacunn93.blogspot.com

http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/

http://townhall.com/columnists/patbuchanan/2015/05/26/the-decline-of-christian-america-n2003650/page/full

http://www.catholicstand.com/the-real-reason-christianity-is-in-decline-in-america/

http://theweek.com/articles/555177/christianity-america-doomed

http://bre3193.wix.com/religion2015