The Death of Protestant America

Find the above titled article HERE:

First Things is a culturally intuitive theological journal published by Roman Catholics intellectuals. Their mission statement is "to advance a religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society."

The article written by Joseph Bottum presents a case that cannot be ignored, that is, the unified voice of "Mainline Protestants" is no longer influencing the political realm of the American politosphere, consequently leaving that space open to be filled. Unfortunately, as Bottum points out, it will be filled by whatever philosophy (secularism, environmentalism, feminism, etc.) is "en vogue" at the time.

He suggests that the Mainline Denominations (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Church of Christ, etc) are not only dying, but they are in fact as good as dead since their voice does not speak to our society today. Their social influence is zero, nilch, nada, etc... They have neither cultural, spiritual, nor intellectual influence among Americans according to Bottum. He references the almost fully-dead Protestant Europe as a crystal ball for the future of American Protestantism.

One thing I find interesting is that he suggests Evangelicals and Roman Catholics to sort of 'unite' under the common bond of Christian ideology and belief to form a voice to fill the vacant gap left by the Mainliners because their numbers are significantly stronger and more promising.

The evidence is there. Mainline denominations are dwindling in membership and their social influence disappeared in the 70's followed by the social influence of the Moral Majority in the 80's. Political influence is minimal among the Mainline denominations, but strangely enough, that's OK in my book. American Christians need a bit of fire under their pants. We need to get ourselves out of this rut of mile wide and inch deep Christianity expressed mainly through felt-needs of experientialism and dazzling sentiment. My comments as far as Evangelicals uniting with Catholics... I hardly see that happening anytime soon. But it can almost be guaranteed that it will not be the fault of the Catholics.

A response to my beloved mother: part 2

READ THIS POST FIRST MY MOTHER : "I'm a registered Conservative, but my vote counted since they endorsed McCain, so I guess it all depends on who the Libertarian's endorse, and even if it were someone difference, at least you would have had a part in voting for the "most" righteous candidate, and McCain was the one even though he's still not the Christian ideal! Remember, Bill Clinton was a "pro-choice" candidate as well as one who furthered the homosexual agenda, so it wasn't surprising to me that 9/11 happened after his term was up and it's not surprising that the economy is faltering so badly now, and it won't surprise me if Obama continues the downward spiral, even if it is into socialistic policies since that's how Europe has gone since they left off looking to God. It doesn't matter what the rest of the world is doing since the majority have been anti-God for so long and their nations have paid for that for centuries (Dark...

I don't have all the answers, but I do have two cents.

My friend and fellow recovering ex-fundamentalist , I greet you joyously knowing the freedom you have found in leaving fundamentalism, however I am saddened by your departure as a whole from our Lord. I indeed understand the hardship which you have faced is cause for questioning God’s existence, faithfulness, and love to his creation. I would like to respond to you because I feel like I understand your socio-religious background. Let me first tell you my goal is not to re-convert you, but rather to give you a second thought from one who grew up in similar roots, whose posture of faith remains bent toward the gospel. I also grew up in ultra-conservative fundamentalism. If names like Peter Ruckman, Jack Hyles, Arlin Horton, etc, mean anything to you than you will understand. I graduated from PCC. OMG. I cannot believe it, but it’s true. What a crazy place. Fear, guilt, shame, legalism were the name of the game! As long as you “caught the spirit” all of life would be good and God would b...

The Intolerance of Presbyterian Creeds

The bind between American political allegiance and Protestant evangelical conservatism is a key which unlocks the door of much early American civil history especially during the antebellum era through the early 20th century. To be conservative and American meant that you must regard a Protestant form of Christianity, namely the revivalistic, moral gospel which declared a morally conservative view of the socio-political system as king. In fact, not to be Protestant and politically conservative was in line with defaming the stars and stripes. Hart describes a situation in the early 20th century where the state of Utah elected and appointed a Mormon Apostle, Reed Smoot, to the U.S. Senate. Smoot underwent serious investigation from a Senate appointed committee to deliberate upon the ability of a Mormon to function in the place of a Senator given his religious views. The conservative Protestant ethos of the age was skeptical of any other religious conviction in its ability to be “American”...

Artifacts of a Life Once Lived

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