 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
|
« CharacterStore.com Ruined My Son's Halloween Plans | Main | Barney Update » October 29, 2005Protestantism is Dead? Good!Tennessean religion commentator Ray Waddle today looks at the much-hyped decline of "Protestantism" in America and notes that while the number of people calling themselves "Protestant" is declining, the number of people in non-denominational or "interdenominational" churches is growing, fast. Waddle frets that this is because of a new generation "that can't be bothered to learn a little church history." Waddle: In 1993, 63% of Americans called themselves Protestant. By 2002, it was 52% - and falling. Among the reasons: a continuing hemorrhage of liberal mainline church membership, defections by young people who were raised Protestant and fewer youths getting any religious training at all. During the same period ('93-'02), the number of people with no religion went up from 9% to 14%, the survey said. And other religions were on the rise. People identifying with Buddhism, Hinduism, Orthodox Christianity and Native American faiths jumped from 3% to 7%.But does the "Protestant spirit" really live on? The Protestant Reformation began as a reaction against the excesses of the Catholic Church, but degenerated into denominationalism. What I think is happening is not just the decline of Protestantism but of denominationalism itself - and a return to the concept that the church history that matters most is that which is contained in the Bible, not the history of the denominations. I wrote about the decline of Protestantism here more than a year ago. Here's an excerpt: If a survey asked me if I was "Protestant," I'd say no. The term "Protestant" dates back to the early days of denominationalism as a "protest" against Catholicism and the papal system. Although I don't accept the authority of the Pope and am not Catholic, I've never viewed my Christianity as a protest against Catholicism, but simply an embrace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.If Protestantism is dying, let's pray it takes denominationalism down with it, and that future Christian churches follow a post-denominational independent model. Incidentally, if you live in the Nashville area, the best example of that kind of church around here is perhaps the fast-growing Fellowship Bible Church, which has no denominational ties and welcomes as members people from a variety of Christian heritages. Protestants? No. Just Christians. Protestantism is dying? Good. Long live Christianity. Posted in Faith & Culture
Comments
Bill, As a defining term I think you're correct that Protestant is disappearing along with the changing face of anti-Catholocism. I'm a practicing Catholic with a Methodist wife living in a predominantly Baptist and Church of Christ town. Thiry years ago, I might have felt the victim of anti-Catholic bias, but I rarely see it today. Where I do see such bias is with the anti-religious. The Catholic Church, with its all-male hierarchy, and its unacceptance of loose sexual mores, is a convenient surrogate target for those who detest the entire concept of religion. So, where a generation ago, people used "Protestant" to stress "not-Catholic," today those who once protested against Rome, are now banding together with Catholics in order to survive an anti-religious assault. I actually think it's been a good thing since it has made religious folks of all stripes discover that the varying denominations have more commonalities than differences. Posted by: Bob K at October 30, 2005 8:56 AMI'm not sure that I would go so far as to say that Protestantism is "dead". I certainly think it's fair to say that not many American Christians refer to themselves as "Protestants" anymore, nor do they spend a lot of time or energy thinking about the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. BUT, the fact remains that any Christian who is not Catholic or Eastern Orthodox is--by default--a Protestant, whether he calls himself that or not. And, frankly, I am not nearly as impressed with what may be the decline of "denominationalism" as some may be. I think denominations serve a fine purpose in our trifurcated church. They serve as an historical foundation and ideological framework for their membership as well as their visitors. I know, when, I walk into a Methodist church, what I'm probably going to get. And, I know, when I walk in there, that what I'm getting is built on solid footing in history and religious philosophy, from John Wesley on down. I also know that the minister has a strong grounding in theological study and that he (or sometimes she) has been vetted by more experienced ministers. With these independent mega-churches that we see cropping up, you have no idea what you're getting. Plus, those churches seem to be the most fertile ground for the sort of "pop Christianity" that seems to be everywhere nowadays, which I just abhor. So, obviously, I'm biased here: I like my Christianity with some structure to it. In fact, I truly believe that this trend toward independent churches is one of the most non-conservative aspects of American culture right now. I realize that many others have a different opinion on the matter, and they can be quite vehement about it, so I'll just leave it at that. Posted by: Roger Abramson at October 31, 2005 9:04 PMPost a comment
Comments Policy: Your comment is subject to deletion if it is off-topic or includes foul language or personal attack. Readers, please email me if you find comments that include egregious violations of this policy. Comments may not post immediately - do not post twice!
|
|||||||||||
