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"The decline of biblical literalism and the rise of secularism"

Skwim

Veteran Member

"America could be experiencing a decline of literalism and the rise of secularism, according to one interpretation
of a recent Gallup Poll.

The poll, which measured Americans’ beliefs about the Bible, found that 28 percent of Americans believe
the Bible is the literal word of God — close to the lowest point ever found in the survey. About 40 percent of
Americans said the same thing in the late 1970s.


Grapic_bible_060514-807x585.jpg


Meanwhile, about one in five Americans view the Bible in secular terms, described in the poll as ancient “fables,
legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man.” This was up from 10 percent in the late 1970s.

About half (47 percent) of Americans continue to say the Bible is the “inspired” word of God not to be taken
literally, which has remained relatively stable over time.
"
source


So, what do you attribute this thirty-year shift to secularism to?
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One

"America could be experiencing a decline of literalism and the rise of secularism, according to one interpretation
of a recent Gallup Poll.

The poll, which measured Americans’ beliefs about the Bible, found that 28 percent of Americans believe
the Bible is the literal word of God — close to the lowest point ever found in the survey. About 40 percent of
Americans said the same thing in the late 1970s.


Grapic_bible_060514-807x585.jpg


Meanwhile, about one in five Americans view the Bible in secular terms, described in the poll as ancient “fables,
legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man.” This was up from 10 percent in the late 1970s.

About half (47 percent) of Americans continue to say the Bible is the “inspired” word of God not to be taken
literally, which has remained relatively stable over time.
"
source


So, what do you attribute this thirty-year shift to secularism to?

the theory of evolution would be playing some part in this....

but its also a fulfilment of bible prophecy to see a decline in a godly world view. according to Jesus prophecy of the 'last days' we read:

Matt 24:12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.


A love of God has certainly 'cooled off' among this generation. People used to be more religious and more inclined to participate in religion...but these days we see more and more turning away from religion. There could be many reasons for that, but one that Jesus mentioned is 'lawlessness'...as people become less and less respectful of authority, they become less inclined to submit themselves to the laws of anyone let alone God.

Its just a sign of the times imo.
 
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Skwim

Veteran Member
the theory of evolution would be playing some part in this....

but its also a fulfilment of bible prophecy to see a decline in a godly world view. according to Jesus prophecy of the 'last days' we read:

Matt 24:12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.


A love of God has certainly 'cooled off' among this generation. People used to be more religious and more inclined to participate in religion...but these days we see more and more turning away from religion. There could be many reasons for that, but one that Jesus mentioned is 'lawlessness'...as people become less and less respectful of authority, they become less inclined to submit themselves to the laws of anyone let alone God.

Its just a sign of the times imo.
So what do you see as a significant "increase of lawlessness"? And what are you comparing it to?
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
I hardly see that as a "shift to secularism" because the majority (when compared to the results of the other choices) still take the more moderate view (as do I). As a Christian, I think complete Biblical literalism is nutty. But I disagree with the other option, too.
 

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
A decline in Biblical literalism - a phenomena that was/is a relatively modern approach to sacred texts found most commonly in very specific sects/traditions of Christianity - is not indicative of a rise in secularism. It's indicative of a decline in Biblical literalism. I think they're mistaken to equate that last option with "secularism." It really isn't.
 

Daemon Sophic

Avatar in flux
Just an FYI. The King James Version uses the word "iniquity" instead of "lawlessness", suggesting wickedness, sinfulness, and/or impropriety. :shrug:

As for the poll....I see it as a sign of hope. Similar to Psychoslice's impression, more and more people recognizing such writings for their true nature is a healthy sign of maturity in the general population. :yes:
 

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
So what do you see as a significant "increase of lawlessness"? And what are you comparing it to?

lawlessness in terms of Gods laws.

As people turn away from religion, religious laws become less observable among people.

When people were more guided by the bible, they practiced sexual morality whereas today we see such morals are less evident. Its become quite normal to live together before marriage, extramarital affairs, divorce, homosexuality are all more acceptable and prevalent as people move away from biblical standards.

Even the belief in God is less common...this in itself is a lawlessnss.
 
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Skwim

Veteran Member
Just an FYI. The King James Version uses the word "iniquity" instead of "lawlessness", suggesting wickedness, sinfulness, and/or impropriety. :shrug:

And the following use "lawlessness."
Matt 24:12

English Standard Version

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

New American Standard Bible

"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.

International Standard Versio
n
and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many people will grow cold.

NET Bible
and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people's love will grow cold.

Jubilee Bible 2000
And because lawlessness shall abound, the charity of many shall wax cold.

Darby Bible Translation
and because lawlessness shall prevail, the love of the most shall grow cold;
Now what? Well the "what" is that one can pick and choose whichever version best fits their needs, which is the neat thing about the Bible.
 

Daemon Sophic

Avatar in flux
And the following use "lawlessness."
.....
......
Now what? Well the "what" is that one can pick and choose whichever version best fits their needs, which is the neat thing about the Bible.

...and also a very good indication of WHY many people don't follow literalism. Because they recognize the Bible to be just another book, adapted, editted, printed and advertised by human beings; not slowly descending from heaven within a pillar of light onto their bookshelf.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
...and also a very good indication of WHY many people don't follow literalism. Because they recognize the Bible to be just another book, adapted, editted, printed and advertised by human beings; not slowly descending from heaven within a pillar of light onto their bookshelf.

Or they take another position all together, as Christianity has from the beginning. Literalism is a modern concept.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I take that our advancements and discovery have tempered biblical views. We know things that were not available in the long past effectively puts us in a better position to see what once was, is not the case in the present. I think the stats indicate a growing healthy maturity albiet a sobering one in some cases.
 

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
Literalism, I think, is and has always been odd at the very best. I doubt the first Christians would approve of it.

Why has it decreased in acceptance? My best guesses would be disappointment with literalists and, to a lesser degree, the role of education.
 
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