what would replace christianity ? : Islam or atheism/agnosticism?

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   pisean282311posted 12 years ago

   guys christianity is slowly and gradually on decline...Islam is growing religion but at same time no of agnostics , atheist are increasing...so what do you think would replace christianity?...islam or atheism/agnosticism?

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      Civil War Bobposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Pisean: Christianity is actually growing in China, Africa and India at various rates.  It's decline is in Europe and North America.  It is making inroads into "every nation, tribe and tongue" (called "people groups" these days) until Christ's Return, based on Rev. 5:9.  I think Hummingbird's right about no complete replacement, but I think a Transcendentalism/Secular Humanism is the key to understanding the predicted One World Religion where a powerful political leader is worshiped...much as the Caesars of Rome or Emperors of China have been in the past.  Oh, I've been studying this for 32 years, read the Bible 23 times, and am working on the Qu'ran, sayings of Confucius, Hinduism, and Buddhism these days.  Enjoy your day, all who read this thread!!

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not sure Christianity IS declining at all.
      What I am sure of is that the opposition is being given rein to speak out more manipulatively and audaciously, all the way from the subtlety of the serpent in the Garden to the ravenous lion which seeks to devour whoever he can.

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         Jesus was a hippyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Christianity is declining in the developed world. All the statistics show that.
         
         Chrisitianity is only growing in those underdeveloped countries like china an africa.
         
         On the other hand, scientology and mormonism are on the increase in america...

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      ib radmastersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You really can't say what people are following or not following regarding religion. For example, people say that they are following X, but for many it is in name only. Maybe it is a mental insurance policy just in case there is a God. But that doesn't mean that they strictly follow the requirements of their named religion.
      
      My opinion is that until there is a worldwide agreement on God and one religion to follow that God, there is no evidence of a God. Custom fitting a religion to suit what a person wants to follow is not the same as a divine inspiration, and a real God.
      
      Religions mutate from older established religions not based on a word from God, but simply because they as humans don't want to do things. They want a religion based on their level of convenience.
      
      If there a One God, then there would be one religion. Free will is just an excuse to blame people for not following their religion faithfully. Free will might work if there was a Divine in Spirit form that would indicate to the people of the world what path should be followed. That way they will know for sure that they are going down the wrong path.
      
      After 2,000 years without an actual word from God, all that has been done for religion has been done by humans on their own.

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         pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         @ib very important point...

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      Jesus was a hippyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      In the UK at least, over the last 20 years, atheism has risen from 30% to over 50% of the population.
      
      America seems to be following with the number of atheists steadily (but slowly) on the rise.
      
      Islam may be growing, but then so is christianity in China. Religion is only growing in those countries that are less developed.
      
      They will soon catch up to the rest of the world.
      
      Atheism for the win

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      Paul Wingertposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What would replace Christianity and other religions? The answer would be common scense!

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         pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         good point

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   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   Agnosticism is the only logical choice. Intelligent people from developed nations will never embrace Islam. Compassionate spiritual people can never resolve themselves to complete atheism without some serious answers.

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      pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      hmmm...

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      Eugene Hardyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is my take as well.  The problem with agnosticism is that it will not allow people to fulfill spiritual curiosity.   From the traditional agnostic point of view it does not matter if god exist or not, it is only important that humanity exist.  For some people this will not be enough.

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   Hummingbird5356posted 12 years ago

   I don't think that any religion can wholly replace another.  There will always be believers in some religion or other.
   
   Also, it is not true that intelligent people from developed nations will not embrace Islam.  There are so many who already have.  Most of the translations of the Qur'an were done by intelligent Westerners who embraced Islam.  Do a little research and you will find out.

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      pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      @humming she meant once they embrace x or y or z religion , their intelligence dies ....on serious notes ...u r right in both observations...

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      Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't doubt that a few people have converted.  I've actually researched the faith, which is why I stand by my assessment.

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         Hummingbird5356posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         What kind of research did you do?  Have you researched Sufism and all the different branches of Islam?  Have you read the Qur'an and the whole Bible, new and old testament? Have you researched the original faith as it was in the days of the Prophet Mohammad or just the small-minded fanatical Islam which has nothing to do with the religion as practiced by the majority of Muslims the world over?  I have been researching for the last 14 years and there is still a lot to learn.

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            pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            @humming al bukhari...

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            Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I'm sure a lifetime of study in any of the three faiths would not be enough time to learn it all. And yes, I have read them.
            
            Theological arguments to the side; one has to ask the basic question. What makes sense if you begin with the premise that I AM exists and the Torah is our first window into a relationship?
            
            One statement stands out if I were to take any of it on faith. A prophet cannot lie. So, if either Christianity or Islam is a logical progression both Jesus and Mohamed have to speak the truth on spiritual matters. The quran says the crucifixion didn't happen. There is a direct  quote from Jesus concerning the fact that he will be crucified. If he lied, he is no prophet. But, Mohamed calls him a prophet.
            
            That leaves two options. They both lied, which means neither are prophets. Or, Mohamed lied; so he is no prophet.  I can't get past that point. If God exists, that one question condemns Mohamed in my eyes.

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               pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               @emile muhammad was man who believed that he was prophet ...jesus was man who believed he was chosen one....if we study all three religions...one thing which profoundly becomes clear is prophets where human beings with conviction...they were sincere....but sincerity doesnot mean they knew truth...

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                  Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  I agree. However, if you believe in God, I would think you would have to resolve what you believe to be his words with the actions of those who claim to speak for him.

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            tonynosenseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            As far as Islam and violence goes, it boils down to this. Many versus in the Koran to include 9:29 can be and are used to justify violence. They look that way to me and many Muslims. So either:
            1. that was the intention of the author
            2. The Koran is poorly written since it is misread by so many people
            
            Now, I do not think the Koran is all bad, but it certainly is not all good either. We could argue about the exact meaning till the cows come home, but I see no reason to assume it is perfect, divine wisdom when it is easily misread at best.

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   buddhaanalysisposted 12 years ago

   buddhism and jainism are athiest and agnostics religion the better choice.

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   Druid Dudeposted 12 years ago

   According to the last world census, there are approx. 3 billion chinese. The three major religions comprise another three billion people. The total population worldwide is not quite seven billion. Seems to me that the agnostics and atheists are in the minority and claiming victory. Curious...very curious.

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      pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      @druid agnostics , atheists are definitely in minority...as it is said class is always minority and mass loves populist ideas...on serious notes , i am talking about future not right now...chrisitainity is declining...so what would replace it was my question?...

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         EinderDarkwolfposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Gnosticism, or the Original Christianity depending on who you talk to. That would be the most likely replacement for Current Christianity.

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            Jesus was a hippyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Gnosticism in what? Gnostic atheists? Gnostic christians? Gnostic muslims.
            
            God help us if we get taken over by ANY gnostics.

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               Eugene Hardyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I prefer Gnosticism in the truth myself, and I don't its Christianity or Islam.

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      Jesus was a hippyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Atheists make up more than 50% of the UK. Maybe we are just one step ahead of the rest of the world

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   Jeramiposted 12 years ago

   what would replace christianity ? : Islam or atheism/agnosticism?
   
   
     what would replace christianity, Islam and atheism, and agnosticism is easier to answer!
   
      and the answer is ??   ............    The whole truth and not a partial truth; ...    Hal-a-lula

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      pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      @jerami and whole truth is what every one claims to know!!!!!!!!!!...be it be follower of christ or allah or yaweh....

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   Vegas Eliasposted 12 years ago

   I was born in a Roman Catholic family in Mumbai. I was religious and read and re-read the Holy Bible. I was not comfortable with the practices of Christians which I felt contradicted true Christianity as envisioned in The Holy Bible.
   
   I read the Hindu religious texts among which I thoroughly read The Bhagvad Gita. I could not find a satisfactory replacement to Christianity here.
   
   Ten years back due to upheavals in my personal life I converted to Islam. Later I read the Holy Quran thoroughly and try to understand it. Here too I found there was lot of difference in what the Holy Quran says and what the Muslims actually do.Here too I found that Islam was not a proper replacement to Christianity.
   
   I read a lot about religions and history. I now feel that Christianity can be replaced only by True Christianity as preached by Christ. The burgeoning edifice of The Catholic Church is too large to be changed or reformed. Change can come at the individual level. Each Christian should try to be a true follower of Christ and do exactly what was preached by Christ irrespective of the dogmas of the Church.
   
   These are my personal thoughts no way intended to belittle any religion or its followers.
   
   At heart I am still a true follower of Christ and take him as my only Savious.
   
   Francis

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   Eugene Hardyposted 12 years ago

   I guess I have to ask what do you mean by "replace."
   
   Are you talking about what will become the dominate religion/spirituality on Earth  over the next 100 years?
   
   Christianity is probably on the decline, but I do not see Islam as being very viable either.
   
   Why?
   
   Well, Islam and Christianity are basically kissing cousins of each other, Islam will eventually decline for the same reasons Christianity is. 
   
   And as for agnosticism, there will be an increase of population, but I don't believe it will maintain a lead for this simple reason: As long as people have a curiosity and longing for spiritual answers, there will be a faith or belief system of some sort.
   
   My bet is on a form of hybrid-Gnosticism

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   tonynosenseposted 12 years ago

   Look at human history. Religions have always come and gone and changed. They change with society as much, if not more, than they change society.
   
   Levels of religiosity are inversely related to levels of education so it is reasonable to expect levels of religiosity to decline if technology continues to progress.
   
   Many people seem to desire to follow and to think they have all the answers though. So, I do not think religion will ever go away. Whatever we have in the future, the religions will certainly be different than they are now. That is the only thing that is certain.

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      pisean282311posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      agreed

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