Telling ourselves the truth about ourselves is my theme at the moment.
One of those truths is that Christianity in America is in decline which, as it turns out, is based on data as much as empirical evidence.
According to an Atlantic/Aspen Institute American Values Survey taken in 2012, 46% of Americans think the influence of religion in our nation is declining, 28% think it is staying the same, and 24% think it is increasing.
Contrast that to a 1957 Gallup poll that found 69% thought the influence of religion was increasing, 10% thought it was staying the same, and only 14% thought it was declining.
In this instance perception might very well be reality. That is, if the majority of Americans believe the influence of religion is declining, then it is. It is difficult to have influence when people don’t believe you do.
At any rate, we know definitively that the decline of mainline churches began in the late 1960s, some ten years after the 1957 survey, and continues today.
But here’s the key point. There is, I believe, a link between the decline in mainline churches and the decline in the influence of religion in general and Christianity in particular.
That link exists because mainline Christianity has been replaced in the public arena with an evangelical Christianity that most Americans do not like.
From Jerry Falwell, Sr, and Jr. to Franklin Graham to Pat Robertson to James Dobson to organizations like the Family Research Council, Liberty Council, Operation Rescue, and so many others, the voice of Christianity the public has heard is one that is harsh, judgmental, and self-righteous, making Christianity anything but appealing to those who do not share its moralistic view on issues.
Evangelical churches have won the battle with mainline congregations in their size and influence. It’s just that their influence is negative and their size makes it impossible not to notice them. And apparently most Americans don’t like what they see.
It is discouraging that the Jesus we know as progressive Christians, the Jesus who was a friend of the poor, a prophetic voice for justice, a peacemaker, and an example of unconditional love, is not the Jesus the public hears about and sees in the actions of conservative Christianity.
But that should not and cannot stop us from being the kind of Christians we are.
That may not seem like much given the fact that the radical message of justice, peace, compassion, and humility has always had limited appeal, as southern white churches that supported integration found out when they began to lose members.
But being that kind of Christian may be far more influential than seems evident.
Think about the fact that the Christians we remember as examples to follow did what we are trying to do, working to help the poor, to undo injustice, to promote peace, to love others unconditionally.
So if as progressive Christians we keep on keeping on in spite of not being the kind of Christians who get in the news these days, we have reason to believe our influence will endure for generations to come just as the influence of those we remember has.
It is true that our churches are no longer the biggest, and at the moment the influence of Christianity is in decline because people don’t like the version of Christianity they read about and see in the news, but that is not what matters most to us.
What does is whether or not the influence we do have, big or small, is the kind for which we want to be remembered.
As it turns out, that will be the most lasting influence of all.
linnposts.com 
Excellent! Big or small we can make a difference! Thanks for the hope.
Thanks for the comment, Becky.
Jan, unfortunately you are correct; the original message of Jesus, fostered by progressive Christianity, is being co-opted by those who shout about personal salvation via their formula. The good news, in my mind at least, is the rise in the mystical view. One can make the case that those who claim to be spiritual, rather than religious, are really drifting into mysticism. I view that as a good thing, while keeping one foot in progressive Christianity. Just my 2 cents.
Rollie, I agree, but the mystical needs community to avoid self-deception. I am not sure the spiritual, but religious believe that. I think radical individualism poses a danger whatever the form faith takes. But what you are underscoring I can certainly affirm.
Fortunately, we have a worship community that’s very diverse and centering. Rich discussion with others helps guard against self-deception and radical individualism. Now, if the church writ-large could return to its roots it might survive.
Amen to that.
I too am comfortable with what I call “individual spiritual attunement”. If we are to have no other Gods before Him, are to love God with our “all”, then no proxy/idol – institutional or personality – should even be considered. Though I think it is always wise, necessary in formative years, to have spiritual mentors for growth. If “the kingdom of God is within” then each of us are our own “church”; and we all need act on our sense of sacred justice from that position. My 2 cents.
Two cents worth is good, Bob.
Thanks Jan for another wise post. I have been wondering for some time about the ways we who are “in Christ” continue to define ourselves and our particular understandings of the Gospel with labels—like “Progressive.” Seems like such theological delineations unavoidably set us up as exclusionary—as the term “evangelical” can feel to people who call themselves “progressive.” What does it look like to aspire to “be church” in ways that transcend these categories? Help me think about that.
A most encouraging email, Jan, and I agree with your analysis of what is turning people off about Christianity today. Jane Asche
Thanks, Jane. At this point I think all of us can use some encouragement.
Jan,
I thought of you immediately when I heard that Jerry Falwell. Jr. endorsed Trump today. It was that church..>Thomas Rd ? so close to Lynchburg College ( you , Yokefellow group, Bev Cosby, Ch of the Cov) that was so helpful in my formative years. The contrast was stark and clarifying and liberating.
Dixcy, I am so glad I and others played a role in your faith journey, but given the person you are you would have found your way nonetheless. You make the world a better place.
I think the decline in Christianity has more to do with development of secularism: the lifestyles that have come about since “hippy” days of wine, women, and song so to speak, from the flower children in San Francisco in early ’60s onward. New visita opened to young people that was not contained or responded to. Fast cars, trashy movies, that whole cultural thing that has come about.
I think it is a stretch to blame “hippies” and the like for Christianity losing its credibility. Christians have no one to blame for ourselves for our lack of influence today.
That’s kind of what i said. Churches of all kinds became less relevant in lives of people. The pull toward secularism (through television, another example, no more Beaver Cleaver) was not countered with a Christian message from any form of church or faith.
I take heart in John 6:60 “When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ and also 6:66, “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.”
There ain’t no easy Jesus. Many have tried to give us that and a generation has rightly rejected it. The question is, are we willing to risk giving the hard and honest stuff?
Thank you for your witness, Jan. I’m trying here too. Same team, right?