Is Christianity becoming an Eastern Religion?

[ParanoidAndroid]

Hello friends. I've been gone for a while from these boards, and I'm sure most of you probably have no idea who I am. Nevertheless, a warm hellooooo to you all. In my time away I have been meditating on God and thinking much about God's plan for the world. As I did this, something struck me - is Christianity becoming an Eastern religion. I know some of you are probably laughing hysterically at the possibility, but I'm quite serious.

What I've noticed when reading about people claiming to belong to Christianity is that in the Western world, Christianity is declining rapidly (sad as that may be to contemplate). Particularly in America, and even moreso in Great Britain, people seem to be abandoning the Churches at record rates and forging their own beliefs (some people I have read have estimated that global church attendance is decreasing at approximately 1% per year). In contrast, the East is embracing Christianity in record numbers. According to one source dating back to 2004, the number of Christians in China increased from 1 million followers 50 years ago to now 80 million people (obviously dated to 2004 - my calculations suggest that in 2004, 80 million would have been approximately 6.2% of the population, based on this site's information). Today, 4 years since that article, that number has jumped to 118 million (9% of the total population of China, according to this site). If current trends continue - the West will continue to lose its belief in Christianity, while the East will continue to embrace it.

Could it be that one day in the not-too-distant-future, we will be calling Christianity an "Eastern Religion"?????

Just something I thought would spark some interesting discussion. All the best

[OneLight]

With all the new age slipping into the church, I can see this happening. Yet, all those who are leaving a church may not be doing so because to are seeking their own beliefs, but that they are turning from what their church has become, trying to get back to the Bible.

[Guest man]

Matthew 24

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

[ParanoidAndroid]

With all the new age slipping into the church, I can see this happening. Yet, all those who are leaving a church may not be doing so because to are seeking their own beliefs, but that they are turning from what their church has become, trying to get back to the Bible.

Very possible. I've seen many people turn their backs on churches because of the hypocrisy in many of them. I do agree that just because a person does not go to church does not therefore disqualify them from being Christian. After all, a "church" is simply a gathering of believers, and any time two or more Christians gather in Jesus' name, there will you find the Church - the Universal Church. The Building does not make a Church. Nor does a pastor who happens to have been to Bible college. Though sometimes I see Christians looking down on others for not going to church, and even sometimes Christians looking down at other Christians for going to a church other than their own, and that sometimes reinforces the type of hypocrisy that we are making.

But I see your point. Thanks for sharing

Edited June 10, 2008 by ParanoidAndroid

[mizzdy]

Very possible. I've seen many people turn their backs on churches because of the hypocrisy in many of them. I do agree that just because a person does not go to church does not therefore disqualify them from being Christian. After all, a "church" is simply a gathering of believers, and any time two or more Christians gather in Jesus' name, there will you find the Church - the Universal Church. The Building does not make a Church. Nor does a pastor who happens to have been to Bible college. Though sometimes I see Christians looking down on others for not going to church, and even sometimes Christians looking down at other Christians for going to a church other than their own, and that sometimes reinforces the type of hypocrisy that we are making.

Sorry I just couldn't resist this;

Going to church does not make you a christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger. I agree that where two or more are gather includes families studying together on any given day or talking with someone on the phone about God and what Christ has done for me. I see some of these new emergent churches having orthodox type of traditions. When the pope came to the US there was a story of a family that say they are doing what the early apostles had done, laying claim they were from the early catholic church. I haven't yet searched out whether they claim it comes from the eastern leg of the church though.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Sorry I just couldn't resist this;

Going to church does not make you a christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger.

I agree. However, am I the only one that notices that this comment is usually made towards those who already attend church? The focus is on them and clearly saying that there are people in church who call themselves "Christian" but are really only paying lip-service to God. I have never seen this analogy directed towards those who do not go to church. The overriding mindset among many Christians and many church organisations is that going to church (ie, the building - once every Sunday) does not on its own make you a Christian, but if you don't do this, then there's no way you can be Christian????

I'm not trying to argue here, just suggesting a few points to consider. I'm glad that the view from the posters so far have been quite constructive and geared towards a more universal understanding of "church" than is normally considered by society.

All the best,

[OneLight]

Those who look down on others need to check their pride.

[Guest man]

The overriding mindset among many Christians and many church organisations is that going to church (ie, the building - once every Sunday) does not on its own make you a Christian, but if you don't do this, then there's no way you can be Christian????

I find this to be true with many church-goers.

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I myself do not attend church.....I tried it.....got nothing out of it.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Christianity was always an Eastern Religion to begin with even as practiced by Abraham. Just because it has had a Western bent for some time doesn't mean that it can't return to it's roots. The Church has always moved with the wind of God's Holy Spirit. Men laid hold of it and were caught up in it's loft and carried on to new heights. It just may be that God is allowing this at this time because the West has grown complacent.

Peace,

Dave

[Matthitjah]

The overriding mindset among many Christians and many church organisations is that going to church (ie, the building - once every Sunday) does not on its own make you a Christian, but if you don't do this, then there's no way you can be Christian????

I find this to be true with many church-goers.

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I myself do not attend church.....I tried it.....got nothing out of it.

Y-O-U weren't supposed to get anything out of it.