Decline of christianity in the united states

[Bootstrap]

“What if?” .. Christians trusted God?

I agree—trusting God is essential, especially when times are hard.

But trusting God doesn’t mean staying silent in the face of suffering. Jesus trusted the Father completely, yet he still wept with those who mourned, spoke up for the voiceless, and confronted hypocrisy. The early church did the same.

Sometimes, though, it feels like we ask others to quietly endure hardship while we speak from a place of constant grievance. If we’re always positioning ourselves as victims, how can we bear witness to the hope and healing we’ve found in Christ?

We’re not called to join every movement, but we are called to compassion—especially for those who suffer the most. Trusting God should move us away from self-pity and toward mercy, justice, and solidarity with the hurting. And maybe that's essential if we want to fight the decline of Christianity.

[temporal1]

The Black Church and their allies were following and trusting God during the Civil Rights movement.

as you might guess, i’m interested and respectful of all “minorities” when it comes to Christianity, no matter location on earth.
there is a universal quality when authentic faith is present that transcends race. it’s a beautiful thing where ever its found.

unfortunately, these churches are not exempt from becoming politicized, as so many have been.
temptations challenge all, that’s for sure. it would be marvelous if some had special traits to true faith. i was hoping for that with Mennonites. i soon learned, Mennos are fully human. there’s no special formula. (some churches make it harder than others.)
No shortcuts. Salvation is one by one. Pray for the holy spirit.

“What if?” .. Christians trusted God?

I agree—trusting God is essential, especially when times are hard.

But trusting God doesn’t mean staying silent in the face of suffering. Jesus trusted the Father completely, yet he still wept with those who mourned, spoke up for the voiceless, and confronted hypocrisy. The early church did the same.

Sometimes, though, it feels like we ask others to quietly endure hardship while we speak from a place of constant grievance. If we’re always positioning ourselves as victims, how can we bear witness to the hope and healing we’ve found in Christ?

We’re not called to join every movement, but we are called to compassion—especially for those who suffer the most.

Trusting God should move us away from self-pity and toward mercy, justice, and solidarity with the hurting.
And maybe that's essential if we want to fight the decline of Christianity.

i’m not sure how you get any of that from the challenge of trusting God? you repeat it often.

there should be no confusion that trusting God requires action.
not coercing gov to act, not to force others to pay; results today reflect how imperfect gov actions and policies are.
traditional families devastated, normalized immorality, dependency on gov - from welfare moms to big business.

Not God’s plan. His plan is better. Not many are fully trusting.
Many of us are like Apostle Thomas, Didymus. He’s probably my fav apostle, so human! i wish it were not so.
i’m pretty sure it is.

[Ken]

The Black Church and their allies were following and trusting God during the Civil Rights movement.

as you might guess, i’m interested and respectful of all “minorities” when it comes to Christianity, no matter location on earth.
there is a universal quality when authentic faith is present that transcends race. it’s a beautiful thing where ever its found.

unfortunately, these churches are not exempt from becoming politicized, as so many have been.
temptations challenge all, that’s for sure.

The main reason why the Black church became political during the Civil Rights movement was because it was the only public space in the Jim Crow south were Black people could gather and organize and not be persecuted by the authorities or the Klan. Had they tried to form labor unions or political parties or any other sort of political organization it would have been violently persecuted.

That is a big reason why so many civil rights leaders were ministers. They were the only ones who were allowed a public voice in the south.

[temporal1]

i’m not sure there’s a “Black Church”. i’m sure there’s not a “White Church” or “Mexican Church” or “Italian Church”.
At least, not that i’m aware.

i’m pretty familiar with how things transpired in the 60’s and 70’s. Much was accomplished with GOOD INTENTIONS.
Only in recent years, looking back, do i wonder “What if?” ..

All government experiments deserve scrutiny, accountability. Not everything is roses today.
It makes sense to review and reconsider.

All human constructs are subject to failure. No “once and done”. That’s what is wanted! Scriptures warn, “Not so fast.”

[Szdfan]

The Black Church and their allies were following and trusting God during the Civil Rights movement.

as you might guess, i’m interested and respectful of all “minorities” when it comes to Christianity, no matter location on earth.
there is a universal quality when authentic faith is present that transcends race. it’s a beautiful thing where ever its found.

unfortunately, these churches are not exempt from becoming politicized, as so many have been.
temptations challenge all, that’s for sure. it would be marvelous if some had special traits to true faith. i was hoping for that with Mennonites. i soon learned, Mennos are fully human. there’s no special formula. (some churches make it harder than others.)
No shortcuts. Salvation is one by one. Pray for the holy spirit.

“What if?” .. Christians trusted God?

I agree—trusting God is essential, especially when times are hard.

But trusting God doesn’t mean staying silent in the face of suffering. Jesus trusted the Father completely, yet he still wept with those who mourned, spoke up for the voiceless, and confronted hypocrisy. The early church did the same.

Sometimes, though, it feels like we ask others to quietly endure hardship while we speak from a place of constant grievance. If we’re always positioning ourselves as victims, how can we bear witness to the hope and healing we’ve found in Christ?

We’re not called to join every movement, but we are called to compassion—especially for those who suffer the most.

Trusting God should move us away from self-pity and toward mercy, justice, and solidarity with the hurting.
And maybe that's essential if we want to fight the decline of Christianity.

i’m not sure how you get any of that from the challenge of trusting God? you repeat it often.

there should be no confusion that trusting God requires action.
not coercing gov to act, not to force others to pay; results today reflect how imperfect gov actions and policies are.
traditional families devastated, normalized immorality, dependency on gov - from welfare moms to big business.

Not God’s plan. His plan is better. Not many are fully trusting.
Many of us are like Apostle Thomas, Didymus. He’s probably my fav apostle, so human! i wish it were not so.
i’m pretty sure it is.

I’m going to try and say this as gently as possible. I feel like you’re using polite, spiritual language to dismiss a church-led movement that was deeply rooted in Scripture’s concern for justice and compassion. The Civil Rights Movement was a faith movement, led by Black pastors and congregations who trusted God and took immense personal risks to confront an evil system that brutalized, imprisoned, and even murdered those who stepped “out of line.” Bootstrap already quoted from MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail, but I think this part is worth repeating:

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed… For years now I have heard the word "wait." It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This "wait" has almost always meant "never."…Justice too long delayed is justice denied.

I don’t think it’s up to us to tell our Black Christian brothers and sisters to “wait” for justice. As MLK wrote:

I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say "wait."

How do we know the Civil Rights Movement wasn’t exactly what God intended? How can we say it wasn’t His timing?

[Szdfan]

i’m not sure there’s a “Black Church”. i’m sure there’s not a “White Church” or “Mexican Church” or “Italian Church”.
At least, not that i’m aware.

i’m pretty familiar with how things transpired in the 60’s and 70’s. Much was accomplished with GOOD INTENTIONS.
Only in recent years, looking back, do i wonder “What if?” ..

All government experiments deserve scrutiny, accountability. Not everything is roses today.
It makes sense to review and reconsider.

All human constructs are subject to failure. No “once and done”. That’s what is wanted! Scriptures warn, “Not so fast.”

You’re not describing spiritual unity. You’re describing historical erasure.

The Black Church is a distinct theological, cultural and historical reality that emerged out of the Black experience of slavery, segregation and Civil Rights. It has its own worship and preaching styles, theology and biblical interpretation. To try and erase that tradition as a “government experiment” is deeply disrespectful to fellow Christians who tried to live faithfully under a brutal, murderous system that denied their basic humanity.

[temporal1]

i’m not sure there’s a “Black Church”. i’m sure there’s not a “White Church” or “Mexican Church” or “Italian Church”.
At least, not that i’m aware.

i’m pretty familiar with how things transpired in the 60’s and 70’s. Much was accomplished with GOOD INTENTIONS.
Only in recent years, looking back, do i wonder “What if?” ..

All government experiments deserve scrutiny, accountability. Not everything is roses today.
It makes sense to review and reconsider.

All human constructs are subject to failure. No “once and done”. That’s what is wanted! Scriptures warn, “Not so fast.”

You’re not describing spiritual unity. You’re describing historical erasure.

The Black Church is a distinct theological, cultural and historical reality that emerged out of the Black experience of slavery, segregation and Civil Rights. It has its own worship and preaching styles, theology and biblical interpretation. To try and erase that tradition as a “government experiment” is deeply disrespectful to fellow Christians who tried to live faithfully under a brutal, murderous system that denied their basic humanity.

i’m speaking honestly of what i know.
you may know differently, and more correctly. that doesn’t make me guilty of anything you’re accusing me of.
it also doesn’t make me wrong.

[ohio jones]

Ill add two more. What time period in American History was great? Why was that a great period? And who was it great for?

... and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope?

[temporal1]

Ill add two more. What time period in American History was great? Why was that a great period? And who was it great for?

... and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope?

?? In the U.S.? Did i miss something?

[JohnH]

My Bible doesn’t say anything about a “black church”.