Religion

MineralMan

(148,024 posts) Tue Jan 1, 2019, 01:35 PM Jan 2019

For Those Who Misunderstood My Nominal Christian Post

I was talking about people being polled about religion. I mentioned that in two paragraphs. Polls like this:

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/242015/church-leaders-declining-religious-service-attendance.aspx

Church Leaders and Declining Religious Service Attendance

Church attendance has edged down in recent years. Gallup's latest yearly update from its daily tracking survey shows that in 2017, 38% of adults said they attended religious services weekly or almost every week. When Gallup began asking this question in 2008, that figure was 42%.

Gallup has asked a different question in its polls going back to the 1950s: "Did you, yourself, happen to attend church, synagogue or mosque in the last seven days, or not?" That number, too, has been edging down over the years. It was as high as 49% in the mid-1950s, but has been in the mid-30% range in recent years.

I used the word "Most" in the title of that thread. "Most" generally refers to a majority. See above. I stand by my claim that most people who identify as Christian are nominal Christians. Other polls offer similar results.

More at the link, which is from September of 2018.

8 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

For Those Who Misunderstood My Nominal Christian Post (Original Post) MineralMan Jan 2019 OP

Still a leap. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #1

Poll respondents define themselves, of course. Mariana Jan 2019 #2

But they call themselves Christians. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #3

That is true, they call themselves Christians. Mariana Jan 2019 #4

I too know Christians who do not appear to outwardly engage in their faith. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #5

It always bothers me rownesheck Jan 2019 #6

How often have you used that tactic? Cary Jan 2019 #7

I don't always agree with Guillaumeb Cary Jan 2019 #8

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

1. Still a leap.

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Tue Jan 1, 2019, 04:49 PM

Jan 2019

Who defines what a Christian is?

Is it you?

Mariana

(15,202 posts)

2. Poll respondents define themselves, of course.

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #1)

Tue Jan 1, 2019, 04:56 PM

Jan 2019

You know, like the poll respondents who define "universal spirit" which can mean literally anything other than God.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

3. But they call themselves Christians.

Reply to Mariana (Reply #2)

Tue Jan 1, 2019, 05:02 PM

Jan 2019

And any attempt to call them nominal Christians involves an unsupported leap of something.

It assumes things not in evidence, so any logic based reasoning process would recognize the illogic of making a statement based on literally no evidence.

Mariana

(15,202 posts)

4. That is true, they call themselves Christians.

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #3)

Tue Jan 1, 2019, 05:55 PM

Jan 2019

By the way, I'm with you on this. Nominal Christians certainly exist, and my in-laws are an example, but I wouldn't venture to guess how many are like that. When the polls were taken about the 2016 election, the majority of those who identified themselves as Christians also said they voted for Trump. Frequently, posters on DU say Trump voters aren't genuine Christians, but I do not. I take them at their word that they are Christians.

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)

5. I too know Christians who do not appear to outwardly engage in their faith.

Reply to Mariana (Reply #4)

Tue Jan 1, 2019, 05:58 PM

Jan 2019

But any speculation about their motives or beliefs is illogical.

I know many theists who dislike Trump, and who say that they would never vote for someone like him.

rownesheck

(2,343 posts)

6. It always bothers me

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Tue Jan 1, 2019, 07:01 PM

Jan 2019

when i hear this country is a christian nation. According to this survey, 48% of people seldom or never attend service. 12% say once a month. Sorry, but that doesn't show we are a christian nation at all, much less a religious one. I've always said a lot of people claim to be religious because they think they are supposed to be or are uncomfortable with being considered atheist.

Cary

(11,746 posts)

7. How often have you used that tactic?

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Wed Jan 2, 2019, 09:33 AM

Jan 2019

I did not see anyone misunderstand you. I see people like Guillaumeb disagreeing with your assumptions and then you deploying this tactic of "poor me, I'm so misunderstood."

I can only surmise that you deploy these tactics when you feel that you dominance is being challenged. Your posts are good. You raise some good points it would be nice if you could set aside the silly affectations and engage.

Not everyone thinks as you do. That's a good thing.

Cary

(11,746 posts)

8. I don't always agree with Guillaumeb

Reply to MineralMan (Original post)

Wed Jan 2, 2019, 09:39 AM

Jan 2019

But on this one I do.

That doesn't mean Guillaumeb is correct but the idea of "nominal" is flawed. I mean just look at how many factions there are. The more recidivist the sect, the more petty and nonsensical the blood feuds get. So who is "nominal?" Who decides?

The "chief rabbi" in Israel says I'm not Jewish. WTF? Who made this guy "chief rabbi?"

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