Dear Friend,
I hope you’re doing great in the Lord’s love. Some very significant trends recently revealed….
THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN FAITH
Word for the Month & for Saturday, Feb. 1
Scripture: Colossians 2:6-8
See Message: The Days Of Elijah III
A recent poll uncovered a dramatic development in American spirituality. According to a new Harris Poll, faith in God is declining, and this decline has taken place over a relative short period of time.
According to the poll, the percentage of Americans who believe in God decreased from 82 percent to 74 percent in just a few years. In 2005, the number of Americans believing in heaven was 75 percent. In just a few years, the number has decreased to 68 percent. Those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus went from 70 percent a few years ago to 65 percent today. The percentage of those believing in hell declined from 62 percent to 58 percent now.
On the other hand, the percentage of Americans believing in Darwin’s theory of evolution increased from 42 percent in 2005 to 47 percent now. The percentage of Americans believing in creationism was 36%, the same percentage of those believing in UFOs. A larger percentage, 42% of Americans believe in ghosts.
Absolutely certain that there is a God decreased from 66 percent in 2003 to just over half, 54% now. The percentage of Americans who describe themselves as somewhat religious is now 40%, down from nearly half, 49%, just six years ago. The percentage describing themselves as “very religious” is now only 19 percent. At the same time, the numbers identifying themselves as “not at all” religious is now at 23% - a figure that, in just six years, has doubled.
The results of the poll are strikingly consistent and significant. It took generations for the Roman Empire to shift from a pagan framework to a Christian or biblical one. But the changes reflected in this poll have taken place in just a few years.
If the current rate of change continues, in twenty five years we would have an America in which the majority are atheists. This is not even taking into account the possibility of increasing momentum, a snowballing effect – nor does it take into account those who strongly hold a truly biblical faith, a percentage undoubtedly much smaller than the 40% who consider themselves somewhat religious.
What is behind this shift? The figures are consistent with the warning of The Harbinger. They are the statistics of a nation in apostasy. They follow America’s spiritual, moral, and cultural departure from biblical morality. They also warn of the future – as they reveal a divide between the old and the young – the old are more likely to hold faith – the young and upcoming generation are less likely to hold faith. The young are also less likely to even consider themselves to be “Christian” at all – real or nominal.
Is this all negative? Not necessarily. One of the dynamics of the end-times is that of polarization – the grays disappear. The number of true believers in America has always been a minority. Thus it can be argued that a good deal of the declines revealed in such polls reflect the disappearance of nominal Christians, and nominal faith, the removal of the grays. What that will increasingly leave are true believers, more true, more pure, and more radical for the Lord. Let us be that people.
May God greatly bless you this month as you shine more truly, more purely, and more radically for the Lord.
Your brother and co-laborer
in His love and service,
Jonathan
