Rise of the "Nones"

You may have seen recent news articles showing that the population is becoming more secular and is moving away from organized religion - specifically Christianity.   In many cases, people are starting to put their faith into science or various other beliefs.  

This is supported by research performed by the Pew Research Center.   In their research, the fastest growing "religious" group in America is now those who have no religious affiliation whatsoever.   The Pew Center shows an 8% decline since 2007 in the number of people who describe themselves as Christians - from 78.4% to 70.6% and almost 4% of this decline is from mainline Protestant denominations such as the United Methodist Church.   Almost 25% of Americans no longer associate with any religious denomination.

More interesting facts on the "Nones."

• Number of "Nones" has jumped from 8% in 1990 to 23% in 2014.
• There are more than four former Christians for every convert to Christianity.
• The bulk of the "Nones" don't commit to any view on God.   Instead, they believe "nothing in particular."
• Among Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996), "Nones" now comprise 36% of that population.
• Combined, there are more "Nones" than Lutherans, Methodists, and Episcopalians combined.
• "Nones" now outnumber both Protestant and Catholic groups.
• One-third of "Nones" now say they do NOT believe in God.
• 62% of religious "Nones" now say they seldom or never pray, a 6 point increase since 2007.
• 60% of the "Nones" say they have a deep connection with nature and the earth.
• 30% believe in spiritual energy in physical objects.
• 30% have felt "in touch" with someone who is dead.
• 25% believe in astrology and reincarnation.
• 15% have consulted a psychic.

More and more we are living in an increasingly secular and - to some degree - antagonistic culture towards any form of "organized" religion.

Why do you think this is?   Why is there a push back against God and Jesus?   

I think it has to alot to do with the church and Christians not reflecting the true love of Christ.  In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells us: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.   By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."    Can we honestly say that our behavior is a loving behavior or is it one that is more judgmental?    Can we say that we have made God better known over the past 200 years by our love or by our judgement?

Now, I am not going to drop this particular posting into a discussion about judging (that will be a discussion for another day because I feel that Matthew 7:1-2 is one of the most quoted out of context of late), but I do think that Christians have lost focus as to what God/Jesus' love is and looks like and for that we frankly have no excuse.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 states: "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."    This, to me, is a pretty clear definition of love.   

Now a days, I have seen multiple Christians be anything but patient and kind in their language towards others who they perceive the be living a sinful lifestyle.   Further, many times they actions are unbecoming and are anything but loving.   In fact, many Christians today have a strong tendency to ignore the sin in their own lives (you know - the log we are supposed to remove from our own eye) while we are busy condemning others for their actions.  Is this really the example that Jesus set for us?  Take the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4 - did Jesus attack her sin with the same energy many Christians attack sins in others today or did he instead speak to her with kindness and love?   Further, take the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery (John 8).   Did Jesus condemn/judge her actions or did he demonstrate love and forgiveness?   If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit in both cases that Jesus demonstrated love and kindness in both cases.   Which approach do you think does more to grow God's Kingdom?   The path the christian church has largely been following or the examples Jesus has provided us?     I think in every case, demonstrating love and compassion will do more to win others to Christ.

Additionally, I think today's christian's have become very similar to the pharisee's and Sadducee's described in the bible.   In many cases, we have all gotten so wrapped up in our dogma or theology that we think we know God - when we really don't.   We have lost the notion that getting wrapped up in dogma/theology helps us know about God but it doesn't do as much for us to actually know God.   We let the dogma/theology get in the way of our experience.   In doing so, we limit God to what we know and understand and miss out on the experience that is God's goodness of eternal life that is now at hand.  In learning about God we have missed the point and haven't gotten to know God.

In learning and knowing about God, we tend to loose site of who God is and who we are in Him.   We tend to start listening to the lies that we need something else to make us whole.   That we will never measure up to God's standard.   That the love of the world is the same love that God/Jesus taught.   We become anxious and afraid and start to try and hide things from God.   In fact, I would be willing to bet that many of us have come to accept Christ, not so much out of love for Jesus, but more to avoid his punishment.   That Jesus was sent to rescue us from God's wrath.   

This doesn't make sense as in John 14:7, Jesus tells us: "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."   How can we have seen God and Jesus?   The two - while distinct - are one.   Why would He need to save you from Himself? Are children drawn close to a Father/God from whose wrath they must be saved?  Or are they drawn to a Father/God that loves them and has rivers of mercy and love for them - even if they were the only person on the planet.

At the root of all of the above thoughts and lies the world throws at us is fear.   We are afraid of not measuring up to God's standards we are afraid of disappointing God; we are afraid of going to Hell; we are afraid of dying; we are afraid of being punished by God; we are afraid that if we don't stand up for God and His standard that no one else will (as if God needs our defense).   

However, there is no fear in love.   1 John 4;18 echos this.   "There is no fear in love; but perfect fear casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears has not been perfected in love."    As we stop knowing about God and grow in our personal relationship with God, we also grow in His love.  In doing so, you will begin to fear less and less and will find that you cannot truly love God and fear Him at the same time.   

Think about this for a minute.   Jesus doesn't manipulate us to love him so that He can save us from Him condemning us to an eternity in Hell.  That sort of love isn't good at all and results in shame and judgement (much of what many Christians exude today).   Perhaps, this lie is one of many that has helped create the portion of the population that now identify as "Nones.

What are we to do?   

First, I think we need to determine who we are in Christ and recognize that God loves ALL of us - believers and non-believers alike.  We need to remember there is nothing that we have done nor can do that will result in our salvation.  That we are saved by what He (Jesus) has done, not by what we have or haven't done.   We have to let go of our fear and move forward and be examples of the love of Jesus.   That we are all remade in the likeness and glory of our Father, finite, yet complete in union with Jesus (Yeshua) - you in Him and He in you, risen with Him and seated in heavenly places.   That nothing can separate us from His love.   That when God was laying the foundations of the earth and this universe, we all existed in the mind of God as a thought.   God's thoughts are as real as any physical manifestation.  That God has always known and loved each one of us!   Be thankful and humbled for the gift He alone has provided us to be complete in Him.  

We need to get to know God at a personal level.   To do that, we have to not only study His word and learn more about His teachings, but we must also talk to him regularly.  We must continue to let go of our fear of disappointing God.   How can we disappoint God when He already knows us so completely.   That God is truly like a loving parent.   Are they disappointed when a child who is learning to walk falls down or can't dress themselves?   Of course not!  Like our earthly parents, God will lift us up, brush us off, and show us a better way.   We just have to be willing to listen and let go of our fear/pride/ego/self to hear what He has to say.   The more time we spend with God, the more we will be reflections of and examples of His love to the world.    Think about how Moses shown with the glory of the Lord after spending time on the Mount Sinai with God.  

If we can start to be humble, patient, kind and reflect the love called for in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, then I think the world views on Christianity will slowly turn around.

How do we define God?

How do you define God?   Do we define God in biblical terms or do we try to shape God into our view of what we feel He looks like?  Can we define Him at all?  Do we define Him in terms of where we place our focus - i.e. family, jobs, money, science, self reliance, knowledge, etc.  Do we make these things our gods or do we try to shape God into fitting inside of a mold that helps us justify our sinful natures?

I think we have all done the above at some point during our lives.   In fact, this was also a problem in biblical times.   Romans 1:21-25 tell us,

"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  The result was that their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.

So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.   As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies.  Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies.   So they worshiped the things God made but not the creator himself."

So, clearly, this has been an issue for some time.   And as God has given us free will, He leaves us to our foolishness.  

In our efforts to define God based on our image and/or our desires or sinful behavior, we are creating a number of false gods and worshiping them vs. the one true God.   We cling to our physical/sinful lives and in doing so condemn ourselves to death.  We know this because Jesus tells us this very thing multiple times: 

• Luke 18:33 - "Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it."
• Luke 14:26-27: "If you want to be my follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes more than your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me."
• Matthew 18:3: Then He said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."
• Matthew 16: 25-26: "If you try to keep you life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but loose your own soul in the process?  Is anything worth more than your soul?"

 If how we tend to what to define God isn't correct, then how should we define God?   I recently came across a definition in a book/bible study I've been doing ("The Forgotten Way" by Ted Dekker) which provides a definition that  I really like.  

"God is infinitely good, far more loving and gentle and kind to His children than any earthly mother or father imaginable.  God is infinitely complete; nothing can threaten or disturb Him.   Nothing can be taken away from Him, making Him less than complete, nor added to Him who is already complete."  

In studying this definition, I have found that it works for me.   While God certainly has many other attributes (I'm mean, come on - He is God), this definition provides a pretty solid definition that I can wrap my human mind around (how can any human mind or human based definition fully define God?   Neither can!!).  Time and time again in the bible, it talks of God's love, goodness, grace and kindness.   The bible also calls out God as being the creator of all things.  Since He created all things and is all things:

Colossians 1:16-17: Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth.  He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities.  Everything has been created through Him and for Him.   He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

then nothing can either be added to or taken away from God to make Him and more or less complete than He already is.   Nothing can threaten Him in any way.  

How do you define God?

Riding out the storm

How many times in life do we find ourselves troubled, anxious or worried about the situation we are in?   Things that cause us anxiety or to feel like we are in a state of crisis may involve relationship issues with family/friends, finances, health issues, uncertainty regarding work, uncertainty about the the future - just about anything that the world can throw at us - generally cause us all some level of anxiety.   What does the bible tell us about how to handle these times in our life?   Plenty.   However, I like to equate our troubles to the story of when Jesus calmed the storm as described in Mark 4:25-41 and Luke 8:22-25:

Mark 4:25-41

Luke 8:22-25

Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat.   There were also other boats with Him. A furious storm came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet!  Be Still!"  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.   He said to the disciples, "Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

One day Jesus said to His disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A storm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke Him saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.  In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water and they obey him."

The question that is common between the two that everyone focuses on involves faith.   I agree, you have to have faith that God is with us and will see us through our storms.   However, why do you think Jesus asks the question "Why are you afraid?"   Doesn't that seem like an odd question to ask on a nearly swamped/sinking boat in the middle of a storm with waves crashing down around you?   Isn't the answer for why the disciples were afraid obvious?   Is Jesus haven't a "Duh!" moment?

I don't think Jesus is asking a stupid question, nor is he having a "Duh!!" moment.   I think it has more to do with:

1. A demonstrated lack of faith on the part of the disciples;
2. A fundamental flaw in how we view ourselves (our identity) and the world around us.

I'm going to focus more on my current thoughts around how we view ourselves and the world around us.   

From the moment we are born, we strive to find acceptance and love or, put another way, trying to fit in and avoid rejection.   As we grow, we focus on different ways to be accepted.   We focus on sports, church, career, accumulating wealth, or relationships.   In doing these things, we begin to wrap ourselves and perceive our identity by pursuing the following lies of the world:

• The world can offer security;
• Wealth can save us from irrelevance;
• That relationships - with either friends, our spouse/significant other or children, will satisfy our need for acceptance/love; 
• That our appearance or position in society give us value.

When we do these things, we are placing our identity in the values of the world and not in Jesus.  The more we buy into any of the above lies and the values of the world, the more power and significance we give them in our lives.   In doing so, we make those things (wealth, relationships, appearance, jobs, athletics, etc.) the god we serve/worship.

What we are blind to is that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, that we have become the son or daughter of the one true God.   Not only that, but we are now one with Christ.  

Galatians 2:20 tells us that "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Further, Ephesians 2:6 says that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ.  

Don't you see, when we accept Jesus, our old selves, this clay vessel that we call our earthly bodies dies and we are crucified and resurrected with Christ.   In a very similar way that we have the mystery of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost), we are now one in Christ!   

Think on this for a minute.   Since we are now one with Christ, there is no condemnation for us.   We have been made complete in Jesus.   That is a powerful gift and is where we should be placing our identity.   Can you imagine how much different the world (and we) look when we are looking at ourselves thru the eyes of Jesus?    Jesus sees us as we truly are - complete in Him.   Further, he sees beyond the earthly realm that our human eyes see.  Jesus sees the beauty of the heavenly realm that the reality we live in is subject to.   Jesus sees that our current realm is only temporary and that the heavenly realm that He can see is superior to what we are experiencing in every way.

Jesus see's the life, love, joy, and peace in an eternal union with His Father, that is manifesting itself on earth in a most spectacular fashion.  

So when we are in the storms that our life brings our way; when all we can see are dark clouds and nothing by fear and dread; we are seeing things as the world would have us see them and are viewing things through our worldly eyes.   We are allowing ourselves to be blinded and are buying into the lies of the world.   To overcome this, we need to view things through our spiritual eyes and remember the promises and power we have in Jesus.   Once we do that, it becomes clear, there is nothing to be afraid of.   Who can harm our Heavenly Father?  

No one.

Again, "Why are you afraid?"

Casting Crowns -Voice of Truth:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpWozyQ2QH4

Todd Agnew - The Love of God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GdMS0KEnzk