The Death of Protestant America

[GenX]

One of the best historical overviews I have ever read, period.

LINK

[Soundbear]

"America was Methodist, once upon a time—or Baptist, or Presbyterian, or Congregationalist, or Episcopalian."

The largest and fastest growing churches carry none of those names.

[GenX]

Barry, notice it was talking about the past...

Nevertheless, the days of "Protestant America" are over.

[Soundbear]

More accurate to say the days of Christian America are over.

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Barry Morris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">More accurate to say the days of Christian America are over. </div></div>

Nope, not at all.

America is much more Christian than Canada.

Protestantism is dying, however.

[GenX]

"In an age of cynicism, nothing is sacred and everything is for sale. Religious artifacts are being auctioned off to private collectors in the United States and Europe, writes Jennifer Green. The trend has some asking, 'If this religious heritage is valuable for the Americans, why not us?'


Priests' robes used as paint rags. Magnificent church carvings tossed out for garbage collection. Gold and silver altarware melted down. Chalices for sale online.

In the past few decades, Canada has lost an untold amount of its religious heritage, as churches have sold off artifacts, either unaware of their value or desperate for funds to cover maintenance costs. Nobody can really put a dollar amount on it, but priceless, hand-carved altars and statuary have gone to private collectors in the United States and Europe. Some have even gone to Canadian museums."

LINK

[Soundbear]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: R W G R</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Barry Morris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">More accurate to say the days of Christian America are over. </div></div>

Nope, not at all.

America is much more Christian than Canada.

Protestantism is dying, however. </div></div>

If you think so, fine.

Too bad, since the USA was built on Protestantism.

[Soundbear]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: R W G R</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"In an age of cynicism, nothing is sacred and everything is for sale. Religious artifacts are being auctioned off to private collectors in the United States and Europe, writes Jennifer Green. The trend has some asking, 'If this religious heritage is valuable for the Americans, why not us?'


Priests' robes used as paint rags. Magnificent church carvings tossed out for garbage collection. Gold and silver altarware melted down. Chalices for sale online.

In the past few decades, Canada has lost an untold amount of its religious heritage, as churches have sold off artifacts, either unaware of their value or desperate for funds to cover maintenance costs. Nobody can really put a dollar amount on it, but priceless, hand-carved altars and statuary have gone to private collectors in the United States and Europe. Some have even gone to Canadian museums."

LINK </div></div>

Why is this here?? It's off topic.

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Why is this here?? It's off topic. </div></div>

Not at all.

You claim Christianity is dying in America. That post shows your are ill-informed on the issue.

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Too bad, since the USA was built on Protestantism. </div></div>

And you think America is greedy and violent.


Hmmm...

[Soundbear]

"You claim Christianity is dying in America. That post shows your are ill-informed on the issue."

Oh, sure. About as informed as you, putting all Protestants in the same category. Even the Pope knows that not all who are called Protestants are actually Christian.

"And you think America is greedy and violent."

I'm pretty sure I said "was built on Protestantism".

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm pretty sure I said "was built on Protestantism". </div></div>

In this instance, yes.

But past posts show what you think of America. It's pretty clear you believe the Protestants did a lousy job.

[Soundbear]

If you want to re-write what I have said in the past, that's your MO.

Be happy.

[GenX]

You don't think your past remarks could lead one to believe you're less than thrilled with the American Experiment?

[BlueSky]

RW, how do you feel about Jonathan Edwards and the revivals that occurred through his and Whitefields influence? Was that good for America?

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bluesky</div><div class="ubbcode-body">RW, how do you feel about Jonathan Edwards and the revivals that occurred through his and Whitefields influence? Was that good for America?
</div></div>

In some ways, as far as it spread basic Christian principles. But at the same time they spawned ridiculous religious movements, and were the basis for such wacky ideas as Brook Farms.

Anything that propagates the Christian principles this country was founded upon is a good thing. But like most things, if it is not controlled it can spiral out of control.

[Soundbear]

America was founded on Christian principles, which transcend denomination, with an emphasis on separation of church and state.

The churches that encouraged the founding fathers with such an idea were mostly not Protestant.

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Barry Morris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">America was founded on Christian principles, which transcend denomination, with an emphasis on separation of church and state.

The churches that encouraged the founding fathers with such an idea were mostly not Protestant. </div></div>

There was a relatively virulent strain of anti-Catholicism in the U.S. at the time of the founding.

Even decades later, that strain remained (and remains today, as we've seen even here). The reason Catholics are leaders in the private schools venture is because they were forced to educate their own, as they were not welcome in many public schools.

Ku Klux Klan: anti-Black, anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic...and 100% Protestant.

As I've said, Protestantism should be hailed for the myriad of good it brought; but when left unchecked, it can turn ugly. It has been both a blessing and a curse to the U.S.A.

[Soundbear]

The "blessing and curse" can apply to many religions.

The "relatively virulent strain of anti-Catholicism" was only relative, seeing as some of the signers of the Declaration of Independance were Catholics.

I think this needs clarification also, "The reason Catholics are leaders in the private schools venture is because they were forced to educate their own, as they were not welcome in many public schools." It might be more accurate to say they were not welcome in many Protestant schools, since public schools started later.

And aren't the Ku Klux KLan mostly Republican??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[GenX]

Geez, where to begin...

The KKK today may vote Republican more than Democrat, but I'd be willing to bet they vote for neither mainstream party much.

As for their origins, it was based purely out of Protestant revulsion at immigrants, Blacks, and Catholics. The KKK today, yesterday, and tomorrow is a Protestant group.

Behold the fruits of Sola Scriptura.

As for the schools issue, you're simply wrong.

Public education on a mass scale began in the mid-19th century. The development of Catholic education on the scale we know today began in the mid-19th century. This isn't a coincidence.