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-Removed-I wonder if this model is waning in these contemporary times of increased exposure to other moralistic influences, different values and critical thinking.
The short answer is No. Many of the "other" moralistic influences, different values and critical thinking concepts you speak of were brought up during the age of enlightenment. The only thing that has changed is the method of communication. Our internet age has made exchanging these ideas much faster - that's all.
@divegeester
I’ve not heard of this - the closest being that I can recall is fishy flirting, can you give an example please ?
-Removed-I think someone joins a particular denomination of a church based on what he already believes and doesn’t need to be “encouraged to subscribe to the group’s shared beliefs.”
It’s why most churches on their websites have a statement about what they believe. People want to know about the beliefs of a particular church before they join it.
-Removed-Family and community were once far and away the key reasons [while not the only ones] why people subscribed to particular religions / denominations, and how those belief systems got handed down to younger generations.
With the rise of atomization, especially ~ but not exclusively ~ in "western" culture, on one hand, there has been an increase in the number of atheists, but on the other hand there has been a move away from old school religions.
More people are shopping around for religious groups and denominations that appeal to them. In many respects, these newer alternative forms of worship, while able to fill gaps in people's lives and create a genuine sense of belonging, they can also be quite hardline and them-or-us-like.
@fmf said<<More people are shopping around for religious groups and denominations that appeal to them.>>
Family and community were once far and away the key reasons [while not the only ones] why people subscribed to particular religions / denominations, and how those belief systems got handed down to younger generations.
With the rise of atomization, especially ~ but not exclusively ~ in "western" culture, on one hand, there has been an increase in the number of atheists, but on ...[text shortened]... lives and create a genuine sense of belonging, they can also be quite hardline and them-or-us-like.
Sounds like man trying to define God and make God conform to them, instead of the other way around.
@plantermoo saidI am just commenting on trends. Some [or even many] of those people shifting from established churches to their choice from a range of "newer" alternative churches are probably engaged in seeking and finding an approach to God that suits them having been turned off by the churches that were more dominant in the past.
Sounds like man trying to define God and make God conform to them, instead of the other way around.
-Removed-<<Furthermore, why do various Christian churches all from the same religion feel that they need to have a statement of beliefs in the first place and why are they each different.>>
Because there is disagreement about a lot of doctrines among the various denominations.
Salvation by faith vs. salvation by works
Once saved, always saved vs. conditional salvation
Speaking in tongues vs. not speaking in tongues
Free will in salvation vs. predestination
I’m sure there are more…