{"id":57507,"date":"2019-09-28T07:00:52","date_gmt":"2019-09-28T15:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=57507"},"modified":"2019-09-28T06:06:16","modified_gmt":"2019-09-28T14:06:16","slug":"three-decades-ago-america-lost-its-religion-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/religious-news\/three-decades-ago-america-lost-its-religion-why\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Three Decades Ago, America Lost Its Religion. Why?’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nREM song cover<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

REM had a hit with a song in 1991 titled Losing My Religion<\/em>. It reached number 4 on the Billboard charts. Throughout the years, I have thought about that when various ones fell away from the truth (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Anyway, the song also came to mind this past month when I read about Protestant music leader named Marty Sampson (who had been associated with Hillsong) who just lost his religion.<\/p>\n

And again, I remembered the song, when I saw the following report this week in The Atlantic<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\n

Three Decades Ago, America Lost Its Religion. Why?<\/h2>\n

Deep into the 20th century, more than nine in 10 Americans said they believed in God and belonged to an organized religion, with the great majority of them calling themselves Christian. That number held steady\u2014through the sexual-revolution \u201960s, through the rootless and anxious \u201970s, and through the \u201cgreed is good\u201d \u201980s.<\/p>\n

But in the early 1990s, the historical tether between American identity and faith snapped. Religious non-affiliation in the U.S. started to rise\u2014and rise, and rise. By the early 2000s, the share of Americans who said they didn\u2019t associate with any established religion (also known as \u201cnones\u201d) had doubled. By the 2010s, this grab bag of atheists, agnostics, and spiritual dabblers had tripled in size. …<\/p>\n

What … happened around 1990?<\/em><\/p>\n

According to Christian Smith, a sociology and religion professor at the University of Notre Dame, America\u2019s nonreligious lurch has mostly been the result of three historical events: the association of the Republican Party with the Christian right, the end of the Cold War, and 9\/11.<\/p>\n

This story begins with the rise of the religious right in the 1970s. Alarmed by the spread of secular culture\u2014including but not limited to the sexual revolution, the Roe v. Wade<\/em> decision, the nationalization of no-fault divorce laws, and Bob Jones University losing its tax-exempt status over its ban on interracial dating\u2014Christians became more politically active. The GOP welcomed them with open arms. … But it disgusted liberal Democrats, especially those with weak connections to the Church. It also shocked the conscience of moderates, who preferred a wide berth between their faith and their politics. …<\/p>\n

Second, it may have felt unpatriotic to confess one\u2019s ambivalence toward God while the U.S. was locked in a geopolitical showdown with a godless Evil Empire. In 1991, however, the Cold War ended. As the U.S.S.R. dissolved, so did atheism\u2019s association with America\u2019s nemesis. After that, \u201cnones\u201d could be forthright about their religious indifference, without worrying that it made them sound like Soviet apologists.<\/p>\n

Third, America\u2019s next geopolitical foe wasn\u2019t a godless state. It was a God-fearing, stateless movement: radical Islamic terrorism. A series of bombings and attempted bombings in the 1990s by fundamentalist organizations such as al-Qaeda culminated in the 9\/11 attacks. It would be a terrible oversimplification to suggest that the fall of the Twin Towers encouraged millions to leave their church, Smith said. But over time, al-Qaeda became a useful referent for atheists who wanted to argue that all religions were inherently destructive. 09\/26\/19 https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/ideas\/archive\/2019\/09\/atheism-fastest-growing-religion-us\/598843\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Since shortly after World War II, the USA was in a cold war with the officially atheist Soviet Union.<\/p>\n

Many feared nuclear war and destruction.<\/p>\n

But when the Berlin wall came down and the Soviet Union collapsed, that antagonist became basically irrelevant.<\/p>\n

However, this did not just affect the USA in general. In my view, it also affected people who were, at least partially, in the old Worldwide Church of God for reasons related too much towards escapism.<\/p>\n

Right after the Berlin wall fell in November 1989, I was asked to give the closing prayer at WCG church services in Fresno, California. In that prayer, I mentioned that we were witnessing prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes. One of the reasons that I stated that was because many in that congregation seemed to be losing their zeal and belief about Bible prophecy. They did not seem to see the prophetic significance of what was happening. Many who once were believers, no longer loved the law of God. Some even became scorners (Psalm 1). A major falling away was occurring (see also The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings<\/a>).<\/p>\n

People, in and out of the Church of God, had less respect for the entire Bible.<\/p>\n

This includes one-time WCG members who did not repudiate many of their original beliefs, but instead who basically did not consider prophecy that important and\/or who are now holding to prophetic beliefs that are clearly in error (for details, see Do You Hold to these Laodicean Prophetic Errors?<\/a>). The bulk of Christians were or became Laodicean (see also The Laodicean Church Era<\/a>). Those who understand church eras, also understand that the Laodiceans were prophesied to be the bulk of the Christians in the end times. And that has happened. They think because they did not actually lose their religion, they are fine. Jesus, however, said otherwise in Revelation 3:14-22 (see also The Laodicean Church Era<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Getting back to the article in The Atlantic<\/em>, it also had the following:<\/p>\n

The deeper question is whether the sudden loss of religion has social consequences for Americans who opt out. Secular Americans, who are familiar with the ways that traditional faiths have betrayed modern liberalism, may not have examined how organized religion has historically offered solutions to their modern existential anxieties<\/a>. …<\/p>\n

Reconciling the overwhelming sense of life\u2019s importance with the universe\u2019s ostensible indifference to human suffering is hard.<\/p>\n

Although belief in God is no panacea for these problems, religion is more than a theism. It is a bundle: a theory of the world, a community, a social identity, a means of finding peace and purpose, and a weekly routine. Those, like me, who have largely rejected this package deal, often find themselves shopping \u00e0 la carte for meaning, community, and routine to fill a faith-shaped void. Their politics is a religion<\/a>. Their work is a religion<\/a>. Their spin class is a church<\/a>. And not looking at their phone for several consecutive hours is a Sabbath<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Well, as far as “existential anxieties” go, the world does not even know the why of existence. Going further away from the Bible makes it even harder. Yet, even most Christians do not really understand why God made anything. Those who want biblically-based explanations to ‘why,’ can check out the free draft of the online book: The MYSTERY of GOD\u2019s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

As far as some of the “social consequences” of Americans more and more abandoning biblical teachings, this has led to a rise in the acceptance of even more sexual immorality, like aspects of the LGBTQ agenda.<\/p>\n

The Bible not only strongly condemns that LGBTQ agenda, it states that those who remain part of it will not be in God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Bible also says it is wrong to approve people being part of such sexually immoral lifestyles (Romans 1:18-32). And says such acceptance will end in destruction (Romans 1:18-32′ 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7).<\/p>\n

As far as the Protestant world goes, the gap between the ‘liberals’ and ‘conservatives’ is increasing as The Atlantic<\/em> suggested.<\/p>\n

Some liberals accept the interfaith agenda and some conservatives accept the ecumenical agenda. Music, which The Atlantic<\/em> article did not mention, also has played a role in this. At this COGwriter Church of God News page related to music, I have warned about Hillsong\u00a0 and its ecumenical-interfaith agenda (before Marty Sampson left it). Essentially according to Hillsong all religions are about the same. Related to that, the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> put out the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG <\/a>channel:<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1:21:54 <\/span> <\/a><\/div>\n
\n

Music, Hillsong, and the False Gospel<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Musical instruments were mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Music is present all over in the 21st century. How does music affect the mind and body? Is it okay to listen to music? Should lyrics matter? Are there biblical principles to consider related to music? Can Christians listen to secular music? Is harp music always good? Is \u201cContemporary Christian Music\u201d biblically appropriate? Has money overly influenced the \u201cChristian music industry\u201d? What is the Pentecostal \u2018latter rain\u2019? What about songs about heaven? Do groups like Hillsong promote the gospel of the kingdom or a false gospel message? Has there been an ongoing attempt to promote an ecumenical message in what has been called \u201cgospel\u201d or \u201cChristian\u201d music? How can you tell a real Christian from a false one? What type of songs did early Christians sing? Did the old Worldwide Church of God fall because of its 1974 hymnal? Are psalms and songs in \u201cThe Bible Hymnal\u201d of the Continuing<\/em> Church of God consistent with the practices of original Christians? Dr. Thiel addresses these and more!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to the sermon: Music, Hillsong, and the False Gospel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Partially because of the ecumenical agenda, it is no great surprise that in the mind of people like Marty Sampson, his perception is that his type of Christianity was just another of the world’s religions. Related to that, the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy<\/a> YouTube channel:<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

17:47\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Losing Religion (and HOW NOT TO!)<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

In the Summer of 2019, two well known Protestants announced that they had lost their religion. One, Joshua Harris, who was known for his books on dating and marriage, also announced he was getting a divorce and then he endorsed homosexual marriage and other aspects of the LGBTQ agenda. The other, Martin Sampson, who was known for his writings and connections to the Hillsong church, laid out his criticisms of his Protestant faith\u2013he said he wanted genuine truth? Is science or the word of God the source of truth? Were either of these Protestant men \u201ctrue Christians\u201d? Have they overlooked various proofs? Were there scriptures that they overlooked? If you wish to be a true and faithful Christian, are there instructions in God\u2019s word that if you follow you will never stumble or lose the true religion? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to the sermonette: Losing Religion (and HOW NOT TO!)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anyway, the USA is more and more losing ties to biblical morality. This is having major social consequences now. And, without national repentance, the USA will relatively soon be destroyed (cf. Daniel 11:39). The same is true for its British-descended allies (cf. Hosea 11:3a, 5b-7; Daniel 8:24-25; Isaiah 17:3).<\/p>\n

But even if your nation will not repent you can.<\/p>\n

Instead of losing your religion, you can become an ambassador for the Kingdom of God<\/a> (see also the free online books Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a><\/span> and Is God Calling You?<\/a><\/span>).<\/p>\n

Those who believe that the USA will survive its turn more towards atheism and away from the Bible are in error.<\/p>\n

Some items of related interest may include the following:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings<\/a> Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways? Here is a related link in Spanish\/espa\u00f1ol<\/span>: La Apostas\u00eda: Ense\u00f1anzas de la Biblia y de la WCG<\/a>. <\/span><\/span>There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History<\/a> and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others<\/a>.<\/em>
\nWho is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?<\/a> Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish\/espa\u00f1ol: \u00bfQui\u00e9n es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2?<\/a> Here is a version in Mandarin: N;\u0016\u00ff\u001a \u0152\u0001f\/’Y’jN\u00ba’\u00ff\u001f<\/a> Here is a link to a related English sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most \u2018Christians\u2019<\/a>.
\nChristians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian<\/a> This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God<\/a>.
\n<\/span>5. The Sardis Church Era<\/a> was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
\n6. The Philadelphia Church Era<\/a> was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing<\/a><\/em> Church of God<\/a>.
\n7. The Laodicean Church Era <\/a>has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.\u00a0 They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation<\/a> if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy<\/a>. See also Do You Hold to these Laodicean Prophetic Errors?<\/a>
\nDo You Hold to these Laodicean Prophetic Errors?<\/a> Most real Christians in the last days are Laodicean and hold to prophetic errors which, unless they repent, will prevent them from being protected from the coming Great Tribulation.
\nMusic and the False Gospel of Ecumenical Music<\/a> Has popular \u2018Christian\u2019 music been promoting a false ecumenical gospel? Shouldn\u2019t Christian unity be promoted? Here is a link to a related sermon: Music, Hillsong, and the False Gospel<\/a>.
\nHope of Salvation: How the Continuing<\/em> Church of God differs from most Protestants<\/a> How the real <\/em>Church of God differs from mainstream\/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! <\/a> [Portugu\u00eas: Esperan\u00e7a do salva\u00e7\u00e3o: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes<\/a>]. A sermon is also available: How Does the Church of God Differ from Protestantism?<\/a>
\nBeware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!<\/a> What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan<\/a>.
\nThe Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a> This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Continuing<\/em> Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
\nUniversal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God\u2019s plan of salvation<\/a> Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived\u2013the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis<\/a>, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved<\/a>, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (<\/a>Universal Offer of Salvation part 3)<\/a>, Is God Fair<\/a>, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?<\/a>, Can God Save Your Relatives?<\/a>, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God\u2019s Plan<\/a>, and \u2018By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets\u2019<\/a>.
\nCross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do?<\/a> Is there an agenda to turn your children and\/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There are also three YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’<\/a> and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children<\/a><\/span> and USA pushing gender confusion<\/a>.
\nThe Bible Condemns Homosexuality<\/a> “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality and the LGBTQ agenda? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?<\/a>
\nPornography: A scourge on society<\/a> Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? A related sermons is titled: Pornography, False Comfort, and False Religion<\/a>. Here a shorter YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society? <\/span><\/a>
\nIs God\u2019s Existence Logical?<\/a> Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: <\/span>Big Bang: Nothing or Creator?<\/a> and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/b>Does it Make Physical Sense to believe in God?<\/a> Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?<\/a><\/span>
\nIs God Calling You?<\/a> This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is a link to a related sermon: Could God be Calling You?<\/a> A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?<\/a>
\nChristian Repentance<\/a> Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance<\/a>.
\nThe MYSTERY of GOD\u2019s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? <\/a> This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have.<\/span>
\nWhere is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? <\/a>Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: \u00bfD\u00f3nde est\u00e1 la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?<\/a> Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?<\/a> Here is a link in the French language: O\u00f9 est la vraie \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne aujourd\u2019hui?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

REM song cover COGwriter REM had a hit with a song in 1991 titled Losing My Religion. It reached number 4 on the Billboard charts. Throughout the years, I have thought about that when various ones fell away from the truth (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings). Anyway, the song also came […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57507"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57511,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57507\/revisions\/57511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}