The Modern World

Christianity is still currently the most popular religious tradition in Australia, however has seen a steady decrease in numbers due peoples interests in other religions and a non religious focused society. By 1947, Christianity had long been established in Australia due to European settlers who brought their traditional Churches. In 1947 it was recorded that 88% of Australians considered themselves Christians. Moving forward to 2013 Christianity is still the most dominant religion in Australia however it’s followers have decreased significantly to 61% recorded in 2011. This is mainly due to peoples dissatisfaction with traditional religious

In the 2011 Religious Affiliation in Australia census data, ‘Catholic’ recorded the highest percentage of adherents, at 25.3%.

Shown in recent statistics, is that younger people, who are over 15 (as children under this age are usually forced by parents), do not participate in religious activity as much as the older generation – excluding the over 65s group, this is usually because they cannot get to church easily due to ill-health and disabilities. Brierley supports the idea of an older generation by showing that the average age of church goers in 1979 was 37 which increased to 49 in 2005, clearly showing a trend towards an older congregation. Heelas also found that those involved with the New-Age Movements were mainly middle-aged or older; again supporting the recent trend.

In Chapter 1, Bibby claims there are two reasons for the decline of weekly churchgoers. The first reason was because of a shift in immigration patterns, and secondly was the change of mindset of religion led by the baby boomer generation (p. 14). In the immigration patterns area, Bibby explains that Protestant religion has been losing its so-called immigration pipeline (immigrants from other countries whom are Protestant coming over), therefore number of newcomers has declined. In reference to the baby boomer generation, described in Chapter 2, Bibby explains it simply: “by the 1970s the number of active members who were dying out numbered the people who were taking their places” (p.15). As pipeline was going down, birth rates were too, and then with rise of baby boomers stakes were even higher for decline in religion. Baby boomers in the 60s brought with it four cultural trends: From Dominance to Diversity, From Obligation to Gratification, deference to discernment, and from homes to careers (p. 18-28). All four of these trends helped to significantly reshape religion. The aftermath on a positive note,

Clearly today’s patterns are very different from those of the past. How then to explain them? There are two fields of thought here. Secularists take the simple opinion: lack of attendance and reduction of belief means a

The decline in religion across America is most likely related to the increase inIndividualism, among many Americans in the 21st century. “The decline in religions practice has gone down 29% from the Silent generation to the younger Millennial” (Decline of mainline Protestantism and Catholicism). Many argue that culture influences, portioning to college and other environments, would be the greatest factor in the big question as to why Americas on a religious decline. However Individualism seems to be the greatest contributing factor. Individualism highlights selfish motives, only caring about ones self, and laziness. All things that religious believes takes away from a individual.

On another note, I want to address the issue of church attendance. Church attendance is NOT mandatory; however, it is in

Over the course of the last several decades, mainline churches have been declining in membership as new independent churches have swelled in size (Bishop 170). Bishop asserts that this shift is primarily a manifestation of the Big Sort occurring at a smaller level. Pastors have recognized a shifting tide in the way people think about their religious communities, and have altered their techniques accordingly. In the new conception, the church was not a unifying force for the disparate segments of society, but a self-contained cell of like-minded individuals. These two forces, the splintering and separation of churches, have combined to cement the cultural gap in American life.

This non-religion is coming from the new forms of entertainment that back in the 18th century was readily accepted or around. These new ways that technology has influenced the way we see and picture religion has caused people to forget completely about religion as the whole. This is decreased practice of religion is also based on how our society is shaping up now it more about everything you do you do it yourself and no one else helps you not even God, it’s just you and you’re the only one who has made it possible to achieve these goals. These people that still don’t identify themselves with a religion still might but, “religiously unaffiliated adults pray far less frequently compared with those who identify with a religion, and an increasing share of religious “nones” say they seldom or never pray.” The group of non-religious people is slowly growing but they still show some gratitude to God even if they do not have a religion.

The Church Refused to Look Like the Community. Dying churches are concerned with self-preservation. The way of doing church is fare more important to these churches, than adapting to reach the demographics of where God has divinely placed them.

Christian living in America is dwindling because biblical principles and values are no longer regarded. Surprisingly to many, Christian values in America were held to the highest standard; no one even considered straying away from the Bible. Unfortunately now, Americans are ignoring Biblical principles and values and engaging in a life of drugs, alcohol, murder, and gender misconceptions. As a result, Christian living in America is almost non existent. However, some Americans would argue that Christian living in America is not dwindling because choosing gender, the right to abortion, and the free will to use harmful substances are all things that are grey areas in the Bible and as such, can be interpretation any way an individual sees fit.

According to Bill Hull, “While certain pockets of evangelicalism have grown, overall, the church is in a decline. Many congregations can attest to Hull’s assessment, in that, churches in America are indeed experiencing sharp declines in its numbers of baptisms and church attendance. Over

The Making of the Modern World by Erik Ringmar, an overview of the events in history that have led to the modern political scene. Diplomacy by Stephen McGlinchey, the evolution of diplomacy and big events that have showcased the power of diplomacy. One World, Many Actors by Carmen Gebhard, the transition of global relations from international to trans-national focused on the role of individuals and groups. As a scholar, these three texts have changed my present thoughts on how the world’s international relations and diplomacy have been an integral part in making the global market. I am an economics major with an international trade and development concentration, learning about how the politics affect trade and businesses, is amazing. My

We are told from birth that all seven of us are like islands. We have no connection and no communication. Each of our islands has the SC, Superior Class, the TC, Traditional Class and the GC or Ground Class. “The only thing you ever need to know is the information that SC has.” We are told to spread that information and only that information, and if we do not, we are warned that punishment will come.

Willy Brandt once remarked:” Western Europe has only 20 or 30 more years of democracy left in it; after that it will slide under the surrounding sea of dictatorship” (Crozier, Huntington, Watanuki, 1973, 2). It would seem that democratic governments have become increasingly unable of facing “the challenges of the modern world”. Specifically, democratic European governments have become increasingly incapable to adequately represent the interests of the governed, while economic growth has also produced forces within nations that could potentially lead to the potential “regression”(Crozier, 1973, 49-50) of European states from democracy into tyranny (Crozier, 1973, 49-50).