More government, less God: What the Obama revolution means for religion in America

[Revmitchell]

..............Why is this significant for the vitality of religion in America? A recent study of 33 countries around the world by Anthony Gill and Erik Lundsgaarde, political scientists at the University of Washington, indicates that there is an inverse relationship between state welfare spending and religiosity. Specifically, they found that countries with larger welfare states had markedly lower levels of religious attendance, had higher rates of citizens indicating no religious affiliation whatsoever, and their people took less comfort in religion in general. In their words, "Countries with higher levels of per capita welfare have a proclivity for less religious participation and tend to have higher percentages of non-religious individuals."

Gill and Lundsgaarde show, for instance, that Scandinavian societies such as Sweden and Denmark have some of the largest welfare states in the world as well as some of the lowest levels of religious attendance in the world. By contrast, countries with a history of limited government — from the United States to the Philippines — have markedly higher levels of religiosity. The link between religion and the welfare state remains robust even after Gill and Lundsgaarde control for socioeconomic factors such as urbanization, region, and literacy. The bottom line: as government grows, people's reliance on God seems to diminish.........


More Here

 

[ajg1959]

..............Why is this significant for the vitality of religion in America? A recent study of 33 countries around the world by Anthony Gill and Erik Lundsgaarde, political scientists at the University of Washington, indicates that there is an inverse relationship between state welfare spending and religiosity. Specifically, they found that countries with larger welfare states had markedly lower levels of religious attendance, had higher rates of citizens indicating no religious affiliation whatsoever, and their people took less comfort in religion in general. In their words, "Countries with higher levels of per capita welfare have a proclivity for less religious participation and tend to have higher percentages of non-religious individuals."

Gill and Lundsgaarde show, for instance, that Scandinavian societies such as Sweden and Denmark have some of the largest welfare states in the world as well as some of the lowest levels of religious attendance in the world. By contrast, countries with a history of limited government — from the United States to the Philippines — have markedly higher levels of religiosity. The link between religion and the welfare state remains robust even after Gill and Lundsgaarde control for socioeconomic factors such as urbanization, region, and literacy. The bottom line: as government grows, people's reliance on God seems to diminish.........


More Here

Do you think that it is because socialism goes against the basic principles that the Bible teaches about a man working and taking care of his own household?

When I was living a wild life of drinking and crime, I didnt want to hear anything about God or church because it stood for the opposite of what I was doing at the time.

It would be hard for an honest christian to justify socialism with biblical teachings.

AJ

 

[just-want-peace]

Do you think that it is because socialism goes against the basic principles that the Bible teaches about a man working and taking care of his own household?

When I was living a wild life of drinking and crime, I didnt want to hear anything about God or church because it stood for the opposite of what I was doing at the time.

It would be hard for an honest christian to justify socialism with biblical teachings.

AJ

Bolded Mine

AMEN BROTHER!!!

But watch the sparks fly as they try real hard to do so!!

The stories of Ananias & Sapphira, and The Rich Young Ruler are generally cited (mangled:laugh to prove that Christ taught SOCIALISM, in spite of the lack of substance to such a claim.

 

[LeBuick]

I think your title should read, "What the Obama revolution means for Christianity in America" and not religion. America, who has freedom of religion in its constitution, has more religions than just those who use the bible.

And I don't see how welfare is contrary to the Bible.

 

[ajg1959]

I think your title should read, "What the Obama revolution means for Christianity in America" and not religion. America, who has freedom of religion in its constitution, has more religions than just those who use the bible.

And I don't see how welfare is contrary to the Bible.

Welfare is definately biblical, but, it is supposed to be that the church administers it, and nowhere does the Bible advocate state run welfare. There are detailed descriptions on how we are to provide for the needy...but we dont do it. We allow the government to intervene in what should be a church function. Why?

If the biblical version of welfare is to be admistered by the church, then arent the "progressives" contradicting themselves by calling for "seperation of church and state" in one hand, and calling for state run welfare in the other? When we encourage folks to go to the government for help, we are in fact denying the seperation of church and state that we cherish so much.

The freedom of religion clause in our constitution brings out mixed emotions in me. I realize that its that freedom that allows me to be a baptist, but its hard to accept that it also gives Muslims, Buddists and Wiccans the right to set up temples, mosques, and covens in my neighborhood.

Let me just say that just because our constitution gives folks the right to be whatever they choose, doesnt mean we should applaud them for denying the true God.

AJ

 

[Martin Luther]

..............Why is this significant for the vitality of religion in America? A recent study of 33 countries around the world by Anthony Gill and Erik Lundsgaarde, political scientists at the University of Washington, indicates that there is an inverse relationship between state welfare spending and religiosity. Specifically, they found that countries with larger welfare states had markedly lower levels of religious attendance, had higher rates of citizens indicating no religious affiliation whatsoever, and their people took less comfort in religion in general. In their words, "Countries with higher levels of per capita welfare have a proclivity for less religious participation and tend to have higher percentages of non-religious individuals."

Gill and Lundsgaarde show, for instance, that Scandinavian societies such as Sweden and Denmark have some of the largest welfare states in the world as well as some of the lowest levels of religious attendance in the world. By contrast, countries with a history of limited government — from the United States to the Philippines — have markedly higher levels of religiosity. The link between religion and the welfare state remains robust even after Gill and Lundsgaarde control for socioeconomic factors such as urbanization, region, and literacy. The bottom line: as government grows, people's reliance on God seems to diminish.........


More Here

John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.



John 15:17-19

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 

[JustChristian]

I think your title should read, "What the Obama revolution means for Christianity in America" and not religion. America, who has freedom of religion in its constitution, has more religions than just those who use the bible.

And I don't see how welfare is contrary to the Bible.

Exactly. You'll find that Christianity is flourishing in countries where Christians are persecuted like India and China. If our Christianity cannot survive because of a change in president or party we need to take a hard look at whether it is in fact Christianity or just "religion."

 

[LeBuick]

Welfare is definately biblical, but, it is supposed to be that the church administers it, and nowhere does the Bible advocate state run welfare.

The Bible equally doesn't speak against or discourage state run welfare. Because the state is proving welfare, doesn't stop the Church from chipping in also. There are enough in need that we can all contribute anyway we can.

Let me just say that just because our constitution gives folks the right to be whatever they choose, doesnt mean we should applaud them for denying the true God.

AJ

I very much agree with you here, I only brought it up since folks here usually turn to the constitution when implying Obama's policies are illegal. We parted from the mother land because of lack of religious freedom. We'd look like real hypocrites if we made laws to the contrary.

 

[LeBuick]

Exactly. You'll find that Christianity is flourishing in countries where Christians are persecuted like India and China. If our Christianity cannot survive because of a change in president or party we need to take a hard look at whether it is in fact Christianity or just "religion."

I agree, God's army will continue to march and will not be overcome by any forces of evil. I cheated and went to the back of the book, Good win's in the end...