Public Christian symbols backed (uh oh, separatists!)

Link here: Public Christian symbols backed (uh oh, separatists!)

By Julia Duin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

American Christians increasingly want their religion reflected in public symbols and language, they overwhelmingly reject homosexual clergy, and the largely unchurched West Coast is showing signs of spiritual growth, evangelical Christian pollster George Barna says.
The survey found some things to praise about American religiosity, but also found much more to criticize, particularly in matters relating to the depth of American Christians' faith.

There's a lot of interesting information about problems for Churchs (organized religions), their membership, and more in the middle segment of the article. I'll leave it to individuals to read that info on their own and comment if they wish.

The original article concludes with this info:

Among Mr. Barna's other findings:

Unlike Europeans, Americans like public displays of faith, as in the "In God We Trust" wording on their currency, the phrase "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, displays of the Ten Commandments on public property and creationism being taught in public schools.

Large majorities of adults reject the ordination or retention of actively homosexual clergy.

The greatest national increases in daily Bible reading came from Oregon, California and Washington, where 29 percent engaged in the practice in 1994, but 44 percent did in 2004, a 52 percent increase. Church attendance rose 24 percent, and small group participation went up 136 percent during the same time period in those states.

Black Americans were the highest ethnic group — surpassing whites, Hispanics and Asians — to exhibit evidence of their Christian beliefs. "Most blacks still find life somewhat painful, difficult and challenging," Mr. Barna said. "Their faith in Christ helps put all this into perspective and makes life tenable."

The survey results seem a mixed bag, but the highlighted note is probably the most troublesome to the Separation of Church and State lovers.

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"Unlike Europeans, Americans like public displays of faith"

Is this a joke?? Not the "American like public displays of faith" but he "Unlike Europeans" part!!!

The central part of almost any European city is a church! Most the art of which Europe's "high culture" crowd prides itself has some kind of religious theme. In fact, most of the "high culture" of Europe was given its stature because it was accepted as such by "the church".

True, modern Europeans are staying away from church in droves, there is absolutely no escaping the "public displays of faith" all over Europe. ;~D

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More to the point of the article though... I wonder when the "seperatists" are going to notice that some "religions" are based on the worship of nature. Is the ACLU and the Freedom From Religion Foundation going to set its sights on trees next??

"Nature Spirituality necessitates respect for the natural rhythms of
the Earth and the Cosmos. One participates in a conscious dialog between nature and the self. Nature, including humanity ,animals, organic and non organic physical matter as well as non physical entities and energies is seen as living expressions and or literal embodiment of the Sacred, essential truth, wisdom, and power. Nature is seen as, experienced, and known to be sacred. "

http://www.solarraven.com/naturecentered.html

As long as their are sacred things on public land, can there ever really be "freedom from religion". As long as the sacred things of one religion (or spirituality) are acceptable, but not others, is there ever "freedom of religion"?

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