Let's be honest...American Christianity is rarely Christlike.

[mlssufan01]

"Of those 80 percent of Christians who said they have had sex before marriage, 64 percent have done so within the last year and 42 percent are in a current sexual relationship, said Relevant writer Tyler Charles, analyzing the study that did not look into religious identification initially."
-https://www.christianpost.com/news/are-most-single-christians-in-america-having-sex.html

Christianity is the most adhered to religion in the United States, with 65% of polled American adults identifying themselves as Christian in 2019.^[1] This is down from 85% in 1990, 81.6% in 2001,^[2] and 12% lower than the 78% reported for 2012.^[3] About 45% of those polled claim to be members of a church congregation.^[4] The United States has the largest Christian population in the world, with approximately 167 million Christians, although other countries have higher percentages of Christians among their populations.^[5]

^-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_United_States

Let's not get started on the arguments on doctrinal issues as well.
But I want to point out that 65% of people call themselves Christians, and of that 65% of American Christian, 64% promote and engage premarital sex.  of those 65% professing faith, 45% are actual attenders.  I would imagine there would still be 64% of that 45%, perhaps the percentage might be lower, maybe theorize 50% of the 45%, which would lead me to believe that roughly half of the "devout Christians" are only devout in attendance, but not devout in their relationship with Christ.
Granted, we are all saved by grace, but for people to renounce one of the most basic behavioral (non-salvific) doctrines is quite alarming.  Could you imagine, half of the single people in your church were engaged in premarital sex?
But yet, there is hope if they repent.
but it must be said...what are they being taught that is either leading them falsely, or what is not being taught, that they might refrain from such sin?

[Dennis1209]

Your polling statistics are accurate and there has been a sharp decline of those whom identify with the Christian religion. Most every other poll I've seen are similar in percentages.

Notice I underlined "religion" above. Christianity is not a religion like all the other religions. Christianity is a 'faith', personal belief and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, and a personal intimate relationship with Him. Faith and belief alone and not by works or anything else.

In these polls, the devil is in the details. When broken down to what they believe about secular issues, the times we live, political correctness, morality issues and all inclusiveness. It's boggles the mind what many believe identifying themselves with the Christian community. 

One has to ask; if 65% of Americans identify as Christians, why is America becoming a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah? Kicking God out of our government and society, passing legislation calling good evil and evil good and much more than I care to currently write? If 65% identify with the Christian religion, why have and are hundreds of churches closing their doors, and many churches attendance's at all time lows? 

We have free will and a choice; we can love our sin and follow it, or we can repent and follow the Lord in righteousness, seems to me.

[Coliseum]

53 minutes ago, mlssufan01 said:

"Of those 80 percent of Christians who said they have had sex before marriage, 64 percent have done so within the last year and 42 percent are in a current sexual relationship, said Relevant writer Tyler Charles, analyzing the study that did not look into religious identification initially."
-https://www.christianpost.com/news/are-most-single-christians-in-america-having-sex.html

Christianity is the most adhered to religion in the United States, with 65% of polled American adults identifying themselves as Christian in 2019.^[1] This is down from 85% in 1990, 81.6% in 2001,^[2] and 12% lower than the 78% reported for 2012.^[3] About 45% of those polled claim to be members of a church congregation.^[4] The United States has the largest Christian population in the world, with approximately 167 million Christians, although other countries have higher percentages of Christians among their populations.^[5]

^-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_United_States

Let's not get started on the arguments on doctrinal issues as well.
But I want to point out that 65% of people call themselves Christians, and of that 65% of American Christian, 64% promote and engage premarital sex.  of those 65% professing faith, 45% are actual attenders.  I would imagine there would still be 64% of that 45%, perhaps the percentage might be lower, maybe theorize 50% of the 45%, which would lead me to believe that roughly half of the "devout Christians" are only devout in attendance, but not devout in their relationship with Christ.
Granted, we are all saved by grace, but for people to renounce one of the most basic behavioral (non-salvific) doctrines is quite alarming.  Could you imagine, half of the single people in your church were engaged in premarital sex?
But yet, there is hope if they repent.
but it must be said...what are they being taught that is either leading them falsely, or what is not being taught, that they might refrain from such sin?

Another sad statistic is approximately 80% men and 30% women are into porn in average churches today. But I suppose lying, being angry or harboring bitterness, being unforgiving, gluttony, and an infinite number of others, define the Christian as well. Paul said, "Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:20)  We experience it every waking hour, in our thought-life, in our words, and in our actions. Even our prayer life is tainted with sin. Whoever says they don't sin is a liar and the truth is not in them. We believe we can do all the maintenance instead of simply resting in Christ. 

It is amazing that the percentage of Christians you named are generally considered cultural Christians, and about 30% of those are born again. We have become "scolds." We think too much about ourselves and our unworthiness instead of Christ and his worthiness. We are too much of the time telling others what they shouldn't do instead of being more concerned with praying for them. Instead of tenderness, and real concern, our words have grown empty with condemnation. One thing beautiful about Jesus: he knew how to judge without being condemning. Jesus knew how to gently confront those who were contrite and humble, and he knew how to be blisteringly honest with those on their own pedestal. For me personally, I have seen, been a part of, and sadly participate in, too many things regarding self, needing to be right, and demanding that my argument is a more meritorious one. 

Until I am perfect, I have no rights. Jesus was given every right, yet gave them all up so that he could be wronged---and he was wronged plenty. I am filled with gratitude that I am a Christian today in this hurting world. I fear that it could be harder today than past to become one. Jesus said, "Will I find faith when I return," and also, "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:24:10-13

"The love of many will grow cold." Do you suppose we are beginning to experience these kinds of things today? God is speaking to us---Christians! 

Thanks brother for your introspection. 

Edited December 10, 2019 by Coliseum

[mlssufan01]

I do understand this sentiment, where grace should be shown...however we must not let grace mean a tolerance of sin, both of our own and of others.
If all sin were permissible, then Paul had virtually no reason to visit Corinth.  The whole point of the majority of Paul's voyage was to a). spread the Gospel; b). correct false gospels and c). rebuke those living in sin.  As far as I can see, the most descriptive example of how we show grace is exemplified by the incestual and immoral man in Corinth, who is rebuked, but whom also repents, and Paul instructs Corinth not only to forgive, but COMFORT, and reaffirm their love (this word reaffirm is the Greek is exemplified by actions, not just a restoration of membership, as most churches today would do).

[Raven]

5 minutes ago, mlssufan01 said:

I do understand this sentiment, where grace should be shown...however we must not let grace mean a tolerance of sin, both of our own and of others.
If all sin were permissible, then Paul had virtually no reason to visit Corinth.  The whole point of the majority of Paul's voyage was to a). spread the Gospel; b). correct false gospels and c). rebuke those living in sin.  As far as I can see, the most descriptive example of how we show grace is exemplified by the incestual and immoral man in Corinth, who is rebuked, but whom also repents, and Paul instructs Corinth not only to forgive, but COMFORT, and reaffirm their love (this word reaffirm is the Greek is exemplified by actions, not just a restoration of membership, as most churches today would do).

Nice to know you are going to exemplify Paul in this case. Keep us posted on your progress.

[Figure of eighty]

I agree with this

 

[missmuffet]

On 12/9/2019 at 5:32 PM, mlssufan01 said:

"Of those 80 percent of Christians who said they have had sex before marriage, 64 percent have done so within the last year and 42 percent are in a current sexual relationship, said Relevant writer Tyler Charles, analyzing the study that did not look into religious identification initially."
-https://www.christianpost.com/news/are-most-single-christians-in-america-having-sex.html

Christianity is the most adhered to religion in the United States, with 65% of polled American adults identifying themselves as Christian in 2019.^[1] This is down from 85% in 1990, 81.6% in 2001,^[2] and 12% lower than the 78% reported for 2012.^[3] About 45% of those polled claim to be members of a church congregation.^[4] The United States has the largest Christian population in the world, with approximately 167 million Christians, although other countries have higher percentages of Christians among their populations.^[5]

^-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_United_States

Let's not get started on the arguments on doctrinal issues as well.
But I want to point out that 65% of people call themselves Christians, and of that 65% of American Christian, 64% promote and engage premarital sex.  of those 65% professing faith, 45% are actual attenders.  I would imagine there would still be 64% of that 45%, perhaps the percentage might be lower, maybe theorize 50% of the 45%, which would lead me to believe that roughly half of the "devout Christians" are only devout in attendance, but not devout in their relationship with Christ.
Granted, we are all saved by grace, but for people to renounce one of the most basic behavioral (non-salvific) doctrines is quite alarming.  Could you imagine, half of the single people in your church were engaged in premarital sex?
But yet, there is hope if they repent.
but it must be said...what are they being taught that is either leading them falsely, or what is not being taught, that they might refrain from such sin?

There are many false, pretend and counterfeit Christians in our world. The name"Christian" has lost its significance. So I agree with you I hope they come to Jesus Christ too. 

Edited December 12, 2019 by missmuffet

[choir loft]

On 12/9/2019 at 9:39 PM, mlssufan01 said:

I do understand this sentiment, where grace should be shown...however we must not let grace mean a tolerance of sin, both of our own and of others.
If all sin were permissible, then Paul had virtually no reason to visit Corinth.  The whole point of the majority of Paul's voyage was to a). spread the Gospel; b). correct false gospels and c). rebuke those living in sin.  As far as I can see, the most descriptive example of how we show grace is exemplified by the incestual and immoral man in Corinth, who is rebuked, but whom also repents, and Paul instructs Corinth not only to forgive, but COMFORT, and reaffirm their love (this word reaffirm is the Greek is exemplified by actions, not just a restoration of membership, as most churches today would do).

It goes way beyond the behavior of Corinthians.  American hypocrisy is light years ahead of it.

I once attended a Baptist sermon where the preacher delivered a homily on grace.  At the end of the lecture the man said, "go out and sin this week that grace may abound."

This is the attitude of most Christians who use the religion as a justification for any vile thing they want to put their hands upon.  This is also why the church is dying.  God WILL NOT bless a church which has embraced wickedness and God WILL NOT bless a nation that has turned its back upon Him as America has done.

According to Gallup and PEW polls in 2010 only 50% of Christians continued to attend church on a regular basis of one visit per month as compared to 1948 levels.  Projections suggest that by 2050 the attendance levels will be down to 10%.   During the week before Christmas 2019, Pope Francis reiterated the European condition of almost complete secularization.   America isn't far behind.

American Christians justify every sort of filthiness and every sort of political aberration under the sun.  In a religious group that once held the respect of many, the churches of America have become the sanctuary for a new breed of hypocrite.  Worship services are nothing more than a Vegas style song and dance production on Sunday morning.   There is an appeal to the emotions (complete with drums and heavy guitar accompaniment), but seldom one to the rational mind - or worse, to the spirit.   The emotional component is reinforced by a thin verbal offering of religious slogans and buzz words to cement the idea in the mind of the congregation that they can sin any way they want.

Is there a God in heaven that approves of American international war mongering and greedy confiscation of the resources of other nations?  Does God approve of wanton sin in our streets and bedrooms?   Is God toothless and impotent to uphold His LAW?   Is such a hypocritical god, as portrayed in American churches, really worthy of praise and admiration?   Such a god does not exist, but if he did he wouldn't be worthy of anything but contempt.  

And THAT dear reader is why millions are abandoning churches that don't know why they meet or what they're doing in the first place.

that's me, hollering from the choir loft...

Edited December 24, 2019 by choir loft

[ReneeIW]

Did Christ talk about this in the New Testament?

[Sharky and George]

Cristianity is scattered wide and not as deep in the US. It is in small pockets but deep in the UK.

Well most of them actually have good hearts and its just a lack of understanding.

If you ask me, its the industrial revolution that messed things up.

God bless you guys ??

Edited December 26, 2019 by Sharky and George
Big typo