The downfall of religion in America

[SoonerCoug]

I think it is upon us. Religion in America is going to gradually fade away over the next 50 years, and the Internet will deserve most of the credit. It will be an exponential decline. The Internet is already bringing about the fall of oppressive regimes around the world. We will eventually become about as religious as Denmark.

Growing up in the Church (before the Internet), I remember hearing frequent warnings about reading anti-Mormon literature. I always found those warnings kind of silly since I didn't really have any time or interest in seeking out "anti-Mormon literature." I was too busy with school work and playing basketball. At the same time, it seemed a little too obvious that our Church was protesting too much. I don't hear this warning as much anymore, but I think it's because I don't go to Church. If they have softened their stance, I think they are making a huge mistake.

If Church leaders were smart, they'd be systematically dismantling dangerous internet fora like this one and promoting places like Cougarboard, which fully embrace our Church's model of excommunication by kangaroo court. The only way for a religion to survive in the information age is to function like North Korea.

[creekster]

I think it is upon us. Religion in America is going to gradually fade away over the next 50 years, and the Internet will deserve most of the credit. It will be an exponential decline. The Internet is already bringing about the fall of oppressive regimes around the world. We will eventually become about as religious as Denmark.

Growing up in the Church (before the Internet), I remember hearing frequent warnings about reading anti-Mormon literature. I always found those warnings kind of silly since I didn't really have any time or interest in seeking out "anti-Mormon literature." I was too busy with school work and playing basketball. At the same time, it seemed a little too obvious that our Church was protesting too much. I don't hear this warning as much anymore, but I think it's because I don't go to Church. If they have softened their stance, I think they are making a huge mistake.

If Church leaders were smart, they'd be systematically dismantling dangerous internet fora like this one and promoting places like Cougarboard, which fully embrace our Church's model of excommunication by kangaroo court. The only way for a religion to survive in the information age is to function like North Korea.

North Korea you say? What about Stalin? Maybe they should be like Stalin?

[SoonerCoug]

North Korea you say? What about Stalin? Maybe they should be like Stalin?

Stalin would work. I'm just saying that totalitarianism and control of information are the only ways to withstand the information age (e.g. China, North Korea). Information is the enemy of non-evidence-based belief systems, and so is liberalism. One could argue that being more open and forthcoming would help, but that'll hurt too. Being open leads to a slow death (e.g. perestroika), but it's death just the same.

[Indy Coug]

North Korea you say? What about Stalin? Maybe they should be like Stalin?

I believe North Korea best embodies the essence of the Stalin regime. It's a more hip, less anachronistic reference than niku was able to conjure up during 5 seconds of feverish reflection.

[Sleeping in EQ]

[snowcat]