The Most “Post-Christian” Cities in America

[Skwim]

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The Barna group, a Christian polling firm, has released its latest list of the most “post-Christian” cities in the country. It’s meant to serve as a warning, but it nicely doubles as a map of places you wouldn’t mind moving to one day. (Notice the lack of cities in the Deep South.)

To qualify as “post-Christian,” individuals must meet nine or more of our 16 criteria (listed below), which identify a lack of Christian identity, belief and practice. These factors include whether individuals identify as atheist, have never made a commitment to Jesus, have not attended church in the last year or have not read the Bible in the last week. These kinds of questions — compared to ticking the “Christian” box in a census — get beyond how people loosely identify themselves (affiliation) and to the core of what people actually believe and how they behave as a result of their belief (practice). These indicators give a much more accurate picture of belief and unbelief in America.​

In other words, these are the cities where religion is most likely to be considered an afterthought. 20 of them have a post-Christian “score” of 50% or greater — only 10 cities fit that description two years ago — and many are found in the Northeast and West Coast.

That list of criteria makes for a nice checklist, too. What’s your score?!

Do not believe in God
Disagree that faith is important in their lives
Have not prayed to God (in the last week)
Have never made a commitment to Jesus
Disagree the Bible is accurate
Have not donated money to a church (in the last year)
Have not attended a Christian church (in the last 6 months)
Agree that Jesus committed sins
Do not feel a responsibility to “share their faith”
Have not read the Bible (in the last week)
Have not volunteered at church (in the last week)
Have not attended Sunday school (in the last week)
Have not attended religious small group (in the last week)
Bible engagement scale: low (have not read the Bible in the past week and disagree strongly or somewhat that the Bible is accurate)
Not Born Again

But at least it gives Godless Americans a goal. The highest market on the list, Springfield-Holyoke, Massachusetts, only has a score of 66%. That includes 87% of people who haven’t read the Bible in the past week, 65% who haven’t attended a Christian church in the past six months, and 47% who haven’t prayed to God in the past week.
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[Salvador]

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The Barna group, a Christian polling firm, has released its latest list of the most “post-Christian” cities in the country. It’s meant to serve as a warning, but it nicely doubles as a map of places you wouldn’t mind moving to one day. (Notice the lack of cities in the Deep South.)

To qualify as “post-Christian,” individuals must meet nine or more of our 16 criteria (listed below), which identify a lack of Christian identity, belief and practice. These factors include whether individuals identify as atheist, have never made a commitment to Jesus, have not attended church in the last year or have not read the Bible in the last week. These kinds of questions — compared to ticking the “Christian” box in a census — get beyond how people loosely identify themselves (affiliation) and to the core of what people actually believe and how they behave as a result of their belief (practice). These indicators give a much more accurate picture of belief and unbelief in America.​

In other words, these are the cities where religion is most likely to be considered an afterthought. 20 of them have a post-Christian “score” of 50% or greater — only 10 cities fit that description two years ago — and many are found in the Northeast and West Coast.

That list of criteria makes for a nice checklist, too. What’s your score?!

Do not believe in God
Disagree that faith is important in their lives
Have not prayed to God (in the last week)
Have never made a commitment to Jesus
Disagree the Bible is accurate
Have not donated money to a church (in the last year)
Have not attended a Christian church (in the last 6 months)
Agree that Jesus committed sins
Do not feel a responsibility to “share their faith”
Have not read the Bible (in the last week)
Have not volunteered at church (in the last week)
Have not attended Sunday school (in the last week)
Have not attended religious small group (in the last week)
Bible engagement scale: low (have not read the Bible in the past week and disagree strongly or somewhat that the Bible is accurate)
Not Born Again

But at least it gives Godless Americans a goal. The highest market on the list, Springfield-Holyoke, Massachusetts, only has a score of 66%. That includes 87% of people who haven’t read the Bible in the past week, 65% who haven’t attended a Christian church in the past six months, and 47% who haven’t prayed to God in the past week.
source​

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Interesting, I wonder if the designated pro-Christian cities have less violent crimes than other cities.

I will do some research, and find out if the crime rates in these cities are higher or lower than the national average.

 

[Valjean]

I wonder how these would compare to tests comparing IQ, critical thinking, education or prosperity.

 

[leov]

Interesting, I wonder if the designated pro-Christian cities have less violent crimes than other cities.

I will do some research, and find out if the crime rates in these cities are higher or lower than the national average.

Poop is piling up.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Poop is piling up.

Eh I try not to watch Cleveland during football season.

 

[Enoch07]

Poop is piling up.

Yes on those states listed on the OPs map.

Due to the extreme homelessness problems of those states. Humans feces, trash, and used needles pile up in the streets. With how many people are fleeing California due to high taxes and the above mentioned problems, Seattle being a dying city. I wouldn't really equate these places as "nice" places to live.

Unless for a homeless drug addict who dislikes religion. Then they are great places to live.

 

[sun rise]

But at least it gives Godless Americans a goal.

Unless all religions are considered and not just Christian, this could indicate where other faiths are stronger.

And with a broad definition of "church", adherents of other faiths could be strong believers but not Christian. Or they could be non-fundamentalist Christians for that matter.

Have never made a commitment to Jesus
Disagree the Bible is accurate
Have not attended a Christian church (in the last 6 months)
Agree that Jesus committed sins
Have not read the Bible (in the last week)
Have not attended Sunday school (in the last week)
Bible engagement scale: low (have not read the Bible in the past week and disagree strongly or somewhat that the Bible is accurate)
Not Born Again

 

[sun rise]

With how many people are fleeing California due to high taxes

What have taxes to do with Christianity if you are "rendering unto Caesar" anyway.

 

[Road Warrior]

......But at least it gives Godless Americans a goal. The highest market on the list, Springfield-Holyoke, Massachusetts, only has a score of 66%. That includes 87% of people who haven’t read the Bible in the past week, 65% who haven’t attended a Christian church in the past six months, and 47% who haven’t prayed to God in the past week.

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Anyone else see the irony in self-righteous atheists clamoring about being free of self-righteous Christians?

 

[Road Warrior]

Unless all religions are considered and not just Christian, this could indicate where other faiths are stronger.

And with a broad definition of "church", adherents of other faiths could be strong believers but not Christian. Or they could be non-fundamentalist Christians for that matter.

Excellent point. Also include, much to the consternation of atheists, the fact their beliefs are as much a religion as anything else.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Anyone else see the irony in self-righteous atheists clamoring about being free of self-righteous Christians?

Anyone see the irony in asking questions about irony in a forum that has me on it?

 

[Road Warrior]

Anyone see the irony in asking questions about irony in a forum that has me on it?

I do!!

 

[74x12]

What have taxes to do with Christianity if you are "rendering unto Caesar" anyway.

America is not supposed to be under a "Caesar". The last king we had was king George ... People forget we basically declared independence because of taxes ...

 

[Enoch07]

What have taxes to do with Christianity if you are "rendering unto Caesar" anyway.

High property taxes chase away everyone but the poor. Because the poor do not own land, they are not affected. So what happens is the middle and upper class flee, and all that is left behind is poor the people. Who can't afford the upkeep and the city begins to slowly degrade into a slum. This is what is happening in San Fransisco as we speak.

Hard to milk the rich for social programs to help the poor when they can simply just pick up and move away to greener pastors. What's even worse, it's the same rich Democrats who voted for politicians who then make social programs that require higher taxes, then they don't stay and support the system they voted in! It's a hilariously sick joke!

 

[Skwim]

Unless all religions are considered and not just Christian, this could indicate where other faiths are stronger.

Considering that the poll only concerned itself with Christians and their beliefs, it's results are only applicable to Christianity. It doesn't matter if some other religion has more members in a region or not.

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[Skwim]

Anyone else see the irony in self-righteous atheists clamoring about being free of self-righteous Christians?

In what way are atheists exhibiting self-righteousness? Please be specific.

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[Dan From Smithville]

Interesting, I wonder if the designated pro-Christian cities have less violent crimes than other cities.

I will do some research, and find out if the crime rates in these cities are higher or lower than the national average.

I can tell you now that several cities on list have high crime and lower post-Christian rankings. St Louis is ranked at 40% and is usually competing with Detroit and New Orleans for most murders per year. Even St Louis police kill each other in their off hours.

 

[Road Warrior]

In what way are atheists exhibiting self-righteousness? Please be specific.

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The post I quoted is a start.

Like most Theists, most Atheists are quiet, unassuming people minding their own business. On forums, not so much. Here we see the worst of both. The most obnoxious and the most self-righteous. Of course, both are so self-righteous they deny it among their own and strongly condemn those they oppose.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

America is not supposed to be under a "Caesar". The last king we had was king George ... People forget we basically declared independence because of taxes ...

That is reference to the government and not to an actual emperor.

Taxes were part of it, but not the only reason that we declared independence.

 

[Skwim]

The post I quoted is a start.

Like most Theists, most Atheists are quiet, unassuming people minding their own business. On forums, not so much. Here we see the worst of both. The most obnoxious and the most self-righteous. Of course, both are so self-righteous they deny it among their own and strongly condemn those they oppose.

Don't mistake ardent conviction for self righteousness. In a debate one is expected to dig in one's heels to defend a position. But if this comes across as obnoxious and self righteous perhaps you don't quite understand unstructured debate. Often politeness gives way to emotional exuberance; however, this is not at all unique to theist-atheist debates.

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