Why all this concern about persecution of Christians? Its simple, they are losing ground.

[Solon]

At least in the United States and Canada, back in 1990, polls showed that 86% of Americans identified themselves as Christian, that dropped to 77% in 2001. Its estimated that the amount of Christians in this nation drops by almost a percentage point every year. Even more interesting, the United States was always called a Protestant nation, being that most Americans were Protestant, well, between 2004 and 2006, that no longer is true. At the same time that Christianity is losing ground, those who don't follow organized religion at all has almost doubled, from 8% in 1990, to 14% in 2001. So what does this mean? If current trends continue, then by 2042, and perhaps sooner, Christianity will lose majority status in the United States, and just be another Minority Religion among many.

Now, the question is, will this be reflected in our federal government? I would say that I don't think so. The fact is that even when Christianity loses majority status, it will still be the largest minority in the nation, and remain overrepresented in Congress for years after the fact.

Source:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm

[stray cat]

1. Something to do with them getting murdered?

[Solon]

2. Seriously, how many Christians in this country seriously fear this if they reveal their religion? nt

[fascisthunter]

12. Are You afraid That You Will Be Murdered

for being a Christian? And if so, please state why?

[Kingshakabobo]

13. By other christians?

[Richard Steele]

14. Pull the other one- it's got bells on!

nm

[boobooday]

3. I know, it's terrible

I now have to walk at least a half-block in any direction to get to a Christian church in my neighborhood. They're disappearing fast!

[Horse with no Name]

5. I live in a town of 3000

and there are 30 churches.

Almost like when people had to hide in basements to worship.

[havocmom]

18. I live in a town of 350

9 Christian churches

But no UU church to welcome those who have other faiths but would like the community of other caring people. It's lonely sometimes.

[NMMNG]

4. Bingo

Much like the brouhaha over "illegals" has much to do over the fear of brown people eventually outnumbering whites. It's a simple matter of proportions, and the majority wanting to keep their numbers (and power) up.

[Solon]

7. I think its a losing battle for them regardless...

Some of the reduction in Christians could be attributed to immigration from some nations. However, I would say, and this is just opinion, that its mostly generational, with the children of Christians finding alternatives or simply not believing anymore.

[Hydra]

6. Damn loud minority, if you ask me

the number of scary fundies is low by percentage, but high by public outrage numbers when we tell them they can't tie us to stakes whenever they want.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. It's been this way forever.

They were being oppressed by the communists back in the fifties (you can find "war on christmas literature" from then too). Before that they were being oppressed by the Indians or the King of England or the Moors or who ever they happened to be fighting at the time. It's a religion with a bit of a martyr complex, perhaps not surprisingly.

[Solon]

10. True, but I imagine that they will increasingly become more shill over the years...

as their influence in government and society wanes.

[fascisthunter]

9. YYYUP! (nt)

[Cronus Protagonist]

11. Hallelujia!

:P

[Solon]

15. OK, what you said was somewhat amusing...

:P

[Swamp Rat]

16. What's with all the "Christian bashing" threads in GD?

And how come these threads aren't in R/T?

Is GD becoming a platform for religious persecution debates?

[Solon]

17. Religion cannot be avoided in political debates. n/t

[Swamp Rat]

20. Sure it can.

People just refuse to refrain from injecting it into politics.

[Solon]

21. If we had politicians that listened to us, that would be true...

but we don't, so we have to deal with it somehow.

[L. Coyote]

19. Just propaganda in preparation to defeat the Evil Left in 2008. Note the timing.