The Condition of America
I am privileged to work with some fine men that God has burdened to start churches here in the United States. Under the eye of Dr. Allan Barker, Field Director with Macedonia World Baptist Mission, these men are raising the much needed funds to begin. One of those men is Steven Sykes, missionary to New Mexico. He sent me the following that I wanted to share with you.
I have recently been doing some research on religious trends in America. Below are bullet points to the current trends in America as it relates to Christianity. My references to the information are at the bottom, or call me for more detail.
1. The percentage of people in the U.S. that identify themselves as non-catholic christians dropped below 50%, for the first time ever, in 2005, and the trend continues to drop.
2. According to studies, confidence (trustworthyness) in non-catholic ministers has hit an all time low. Studies show that Americans have more confidence in an athletic coach than a preacher. More confidence in policemen, military, small business owners, and school teachers than non-catholic ministers. This shows us, that we have a growing credibility issue with the American population.
3. At the present rate of change, Islam will become the dominant religion on the face of the earth by 2050.
4. At the present rate of change, most Americans would identify themselves as non-religious or non-Christian by the year 2035.
5. Interest in new religious movements (e.g. New Age, Neopaganism) is growing rapidly. In particular, Wiccans are doubling in numbers about every 30 months.
6. It is estimated that about 20% of Americans attend church services on a regular basis.
7. In 1967 studies show that no one would vote for a President of the United States that was a homosexual, mormon or an athiest. At the end of 2007 that same study resulted in 55% of Americans would vote for a qualified homosexual to be President, 72% would vote for a qualified mormon, and 45% of Americans would vote for a qualified athiest to be President of the United States.
8. The segment in the United States that shows the least amount of born again believers is in the Northeast and then the western states.
9. The United States appears to be going through an unprecedented change in religious practices. Large numbers of American adults are disaffiliating themselves from Christianity and from other organized religions. Since World War II, this process had been observed in other countries, like the U.K., other European countries, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. But, until recently, affiliation with Christianity had been at a high level. In the last 10 years those claiming to be Christians in the U.S. has been dropping steadily 1% a year. The percentage of Americans that call themselves Christians has dropped 10% in the past 10 years.
10. One of the fastest growing religions (in terms of percentage) is Wicca — a Neopagan religion that is sometimes referred to as Witchcraft. Numbers of adherents went from 8,000 in 1990 to 134,000 in 2001. (Their numbers of adherents are doubling about every 30 months.)
11. The six states with the highest percentage of people saying they have no religion are all Western states, with the exception of Vermont at 22%.” Washington State 25%, Oregon & Colorado 21%, Neveda & Wyoming 20%, Idaho & New Mexico 19%.
In Matthew 24 The Lord was discussing end times.
False Christianity- V5, 11
Contraversy between nations. V7
Catastrophic events V7
Christians will be hated by all nations. v9
Conflicts between family members and friends because of belief in Christ. v10
Christian concern for others that are lost without Christ will drop drastically. “Love of MANY”
These things that the Bible has said all along are coming to pass right before us today.
CHILD OF GOD, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR SERVICE TO THE LORD COUNT FOR ALL ETERNITY. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. PRESS ON!!
“But he that shall endure until the end, the same shall be saved.” (the word saved does not refer to salvation, but rather means safe, secure, protected.)
Please pray for America, it breaks my heart to see this great country going the direction that it is, away from God.
Steven Sykes
Missionary to New Mexico
References:
The Gallup Organization’s web site is at: http://www.gallup.com
“Americans Express Little Trust in CEOs of Large Corporations or Stockbrokers: Four in 10 believe most people can be trusted; teachers are most trusted group,” at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr020717.asp
“Despite September 11, confidence in religion ebbs: Worse Ratings Than During Televangelist Scandal, Reports Gallup,” AANEWS, 2002-JUL-18.
Barna Research has a home page at: http://www.barna.org
“Survey indicates more Americans ‘without faith’, ” American Atheists, 2002-NOV-22, at: http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/atheist4.htm
“How Americans view themselves” http://www.religioustolerance.org
“USA Today Study; Charting the Unchurched in America” http://www.usatoday.com
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