Re: Is it wise for Christians to link the survival of Christianity to gay discriminat
i doubt it since it's participation among the young that's hemorrhaging. The young simply have different values than the church and their elders and it's only going to get worse (from religion's pov). Look at scandinavia to see what's in store for the church in 20 years. My swedish friend says the only churches left basically are abandoned
You aren't claiming the churches in Sweden are more anti-gay than in the USA are you - and THAT is why churches are basically abandoned? Christianity in Europe mostly died away LONG before gay rights came along.
What has changes is that the media and virtually all social presentations are either devoid of religion or portray religious people as crazy, stupid and often psychotic murderers. Sitcoms have defined that a mere first kiss will end up with the couple in bed as do movies, and sound laugh tracks played often in such situations. There is essentially no longer any media or social support of religion or its principles - rather nearly only condemnations, ridicule, hate and fear of religious people.
I do not believe declining church attendance has one iota to do with gay rights or SSM. If it did, metaphysical churches, Unitarian Churches and other churches that do not oppose SSM would have full pews, rather than the most empty of all. The Anglican church not only supports SSM, but has openly gay ministers and even bishops. Are their pews filling up? No.
But check out some of the tele-evangelists who curse homosexuality - and the thousands that attend their churches.
What is dying is mainstream middle of the road traditional denominations. But, then, what do that offer? An upbeat sermon that has a nice platitude and a potluck lunch once a month after services? What do they even stand for anymore? Be happy and be nice? If nothing else they are incredibly boring services of bad music, shallow sermons and avoiding religious controversial issues. Why go? So people don't.
If pro-gay marriage denominations were growing over those that aren't, you'd have a point. But it is the fundamentalists and social rightwing independent churches that are have the huge numbers.
What I see happening is the non-devoted Christians are just dropping out - so increasingly a person is going to be either non-religious/anti-religion OR militantly high devoted. It is the passive middle that is fading away. The majority? Definitely will be non-religious. But those highly devoted and highly spiritual will continue to be so. Everything isn't determined by what young people do. Most young people are liberal. Many of them become conservative down the road.