And also:
Since When Is Exclusion of Immigrants a "Christian Dream"?
Hate Groups And Why They Matter
Why Young People are Leaving Evangelicalism
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Update November 16, 2017:
Miguel de la Torre wrote this outstanding piece for Baptist News (of all the unlikely places.) I feel like I could have written it myself.
The Death of Christianity in the United States
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2018 update:
In just the last year, it has become even clearer that a major priority of white Evangelicals is to stop brown-skinned people from immigrating to the United States. Many people I know - and some I am related to - have lined up to defend even the most heinous of Trump's policies, including the separation of children from their parents (often permanently), stripping citizenship from US citizens if they can't prove that the midwife who delivered them didn't lie, and more. In short, Evangelicals seem determined to prove that they are the cruelest people in our nation. This makes me achingly sad.
Also: still haven't attended church since we left.
Update 2024:
It has now been more than 7 years since or family participated in organized religion. Having spent this much time away, I understand that while there are things I miss, those things would no longer be there for me.
Most white “Christians” in this country are all-in on open fascism, and I cannot feel safe around people like that, so church is pretty much a non-possibility. At this point, I cannot envision a scenario that will bring our family back to church.
PRRI just released its 2023 survey, and religion – particularly white Christianity – continues to decline. “Unaffilliated” is now not merely the largest group, but larger than all white protestant groups combined.
Those two things are related: as white Christians see their power and privilege (and their right to abuse others in our culture) decline, they are lashing out in fury and hate and desperately seeking to restore their power. At the same time, their embrace of fascism drives more and more from their churches and religion.
You might still find a church that is right for you. If you make it to San Francisco visit Glide Memorial. They believe in "radical inclusion", and as an added bonus the music is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible. I know there are churches outside of Evangelicalism. Just not sure I want to drag the kids through a search. And I am not sure if I even want to right now. Who knows what the future will hold, though.
DeleteNo church is perfect, but some things are definitely deal-breakers. I hope you and your family find a group of like-minded people you can do love and life with. (FWIW, sometimes that group is found outside the church.)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is, I know a lot of great people, and am making sure we stay in touch.
DeleteOn the issue of deal breakers, I think having to deprogram my kids on a regular basis was the worst. That is the part that gives me pause. It's hard enough raising kids with empathy for those outside the group, historical awareness, and openness to new discoveries without being fought on those very issues from the church.
Of course its worth it to them. This was their last stab at power. Giving up their chance of control would be giving up the entire point of religion for them.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree. This does look like desperation. Unfortunately, the way I see this ending is that Evangelicalism will become much, much smaller in the next generation. And what is left will be people who are openly bigoted and hateful toward minorities, LGBTQ people, and and "liberals."
DeleteThis is the moiled mess that comes about from mixing politics, patriotism, and Christianity. It is typically deadly in the end, one way or another.
DeleteTim, have you heard of the book “Unchurching”? My wife and I were in a similar position as you and your family. We had left our “church” and were looking for another one when we found that book. It summed up a lot of what we were feeling at the time, and was only more appropriate after the election happened.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of that. I'll have to look it up. Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that it has come to this for your family. I feel we are peculiarly blessed in that our church (Baptist, though it is) has a comparatively low level of political and patriotic stuff going on. In fact, I haven't heard our pastor even comment on politics since he came early this year, though I admit we don't make it to services all that often. Just another reason we keep driving 40+ minutes one way to attend there. There is so much we couldn't stand in other churches.
ReplyDeleteSome of my own family has not been part of any organized church for some years now, so I can relate to some of your frustrations. I do encourage you to keep seeking out relationship/fellowship with other Christians in other ways.