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This ties in to the thread "Is there a god?", except I'm hoping to focus more on the future state of religion, faith, spirituality etc.

The percentage of people claiming that they are "spiritual" has risen sharply over the years, whereas the percentage of people claiming a specific organized religion continues to fall in most western nations. This doesn't mean that those people don't believe in a higher power, but that they have either become disenfranchised with established religions or simply don't think organized religion is necessarily the way to truth. And then of course, the percentage of people who say they're atheist has also risen, although they still make up a small percentage of world population.

It seems like the overall trend is for organized religion to play a smaller and smaller role in the lives of people and for agnostics and atheists to become an ever larger percentage. One key variable however, is the number of people who identify as spiritual, New Age, Occult, Pagan etc.

I think religion has given the world many good things, as well as being used for much evil (but then again, so has humanism, science etc.). It just seems to me that, with the advent of the Age of Enlightenment, the drive to question all authority has been fairly rooted into our thinking process. Add to it the advancements of science, and the apparent physical need for any "god" (as the creator of the universe, cause of health/sickness, weather etc...) has greatly diminished.


So here are some discussion questions:

1. Do you think that in the long term (50+ years), that organized religions will become the minority, and perhaps vanish altogether?

2. Do you think they will be replaced with "spiritualism;"

3. Or, do you think it will all be replaced with agnostics/atheists?

Also, if you think the trend is for less religion, do you think that religion could re-gain momentum and become more important if the world faces some kind of disaster, like war or widespread disease?


*** This goes without saying. DO NOT BASH ANY RELIGION, FAITH, OR LACK THEREOF! Be polite and try to stay on topic. ***

1. Do you think that in the long term (50+ years), that organized religions will become the minority, and perhaps vanish altogether?

I believe the more important question to ask instead is, what measures will mainstream organized religious authorities implement to stay relevant and mainstream. Religion will not vanish, regardless of my, or anyone else's outlook. Same with atheism. Now, what I believe MAY happen, is that when religious organizations are taxed under the scrutiny of the government or the general population, the desire to label oneself AS a religious organization doesn't become impossible, but it does make the issue a little bit more problematic. To assume differently on any of these last three points is an exercise in foolishness.

2. Do you think they will be replaced with "spiritualism;"

No more than a house can be painted with a different coat of color(s). That simply depends on what kind of building they walk into when they're "spritual".

3. Or, do you think it will all be replaced with agnostics/atheists?

If that turns out to be the case, one can only hope that the general shift in thinking would be less towards religious arrogance and more towards intellectual development. Given our current state of affairs, I would say this third option is highly unlikely to happen, if ever.

Personally, I think we would be better off if we were replaced by an asteroid collision and hydrosulfuric particulates.

1. Do you think that in the long term (50+ years), that organized religions will become the minority, and perhaps vanish altogether?

A- I have a hard time seeing organized religions vanishing because they hold a lot of power as far as society goes. They fund and raise money to help the poor or needy, and as long as the world is faced with such dependencies, they will always exist because generally they are the only ones to turn to for such things.

2. Do you think they will be replaced with "spiritualism;"

A- I don't see why we're separating religion and spiritualism because it all ties together anyway. Either road you go, you are believing in something outside physical form that holds some sort of power. Why try to divide the same source of things?

3. Or, do you think it will all be replaced with agnostics/atheists?

A- Again, belief sets aren't likely to change much because it takes a huge movement or act within society to make them see differently. To me Atheists are a poison to people because they see no logic outside of their realm of the material world and generally these people hold no recollection of a soul's memories, unlike some others who have "awakened" to them. Atheists are not much different from the Christian person because they both are like mental rocks of society that anything outside of their realm of acceptance, they are not always OPEN to. That's the biggest issue of all and thus why others tend to keep certain information to themselves.

The problem of THIS subject is that you have already classified beliefs as a "trend". This is a judgmental accusation for not all people are sheep. Not everyone falls into a "category" of belief set. Not to mention the information that others have that is not SHARED with the general public, much like what is hidden in the Vatican. For example, not many know that Mary Magdalene wrote a book as well of her life with Jesus. :)

Also, if you think the trend is for less religion, do you think that religion could re-gain momentum and become more important if the world faces some kind of disaster, like war or widespread disease?

A- Typically I have seen people run to church when life becomes too difficult or if something paranormal happens that people feel helpless to. Those places are where people can go, to feel spiritually "safe" when the material world comes falling down, because underneath all that skin you have, there is an energetic being that seeks it's home. You really can't avoid or take that away from anyone.

So here are some discussion questions:

1. Do you think that in the long term (50+ years), that organized religions will become the minority, and perhaps vanish altogether?

2. Do you think they will be replaced with "spiritualism;"

3. Or, do you think it will all be replaced with agnostics/atheists?

Also, if you think the trend is for less religion, do you think that religion could re-gain momentum and become more important if the world faces some kind of disaster, like war or widespread disease?

1) By scanning this article i would say they already are. http://www.vexen.co.uk/UK/religion.html

2) No, I think if the general belief is that of not having one, then this would be just as unlikely an alternative.

3) Possible, an agnostic atheist is a person who believes there is not a god and that they believe that the existence of one is unknowable from factual evidence. Although as time goes on, more "spiritual incidents" may come to light to either refute this, leading to an incline in agnostic theists.

There will always be wars and there will always be disease, and there will always be charities through religion that tackle these issues, so there will always be a representation. The numbers will increase or decrease depending on the populations generosity to these charities, such as Christian Aid etc...

Along time Ago Man recognized the Sun as the true Power on Earth.

As time went by these notions faded, but the military still held the Sun god Mithras in high regard during Roman times.

Tolkien recognized this hence the Wizard Mithras, Gandalf, fire master.

There is evidence some sects still worship the Sun God and consider the blood Pit before a battle sacred. The film Wicker Man had some historical merit.

When The Sun send Mankind back in time 100 years I think all faiths will reconsider. Many scholars already know the Vatican is built upon the foundations of a Sun God temple.


1. Do you think that in the long term (50+ years), that organized religions will become the minority, and perhaps vanish altogether?

Yes most will realize their Prayers were false, on deaf ears.

2. Do you think they will be replaced with "spiritualism;"

No, the subsequent breakdown in society and gang wars will reshape Power globally.

3. Or, do you think it will all be replaced with agnostics/atheists?

Pagans will rise, Mithras Sun and Fire will regain Earths Crowns.

Also, if you think the trend is for less religion, do you think that religion could re-gain momentum and become more important if the world faces some kind of disaster, like war or widespread disease?

Yes, disease and famine will bring man to its knees, it will learn to work with nature as the Wizards advised thousands of years ago.

Earth and mother Sun will prevail in time...because I told you so. TGK.

Actually the Sun God isn't what you think it is. Ra wasn't a Sun or a God.....and well, if you know your angelics at all, then if you know which one represents the Sun, then you know who it is.
Simple as that really.

VvARIELvV - the word "trend" can have multiple meanings depending on context. I picked the word because the statistical trend is that organized religion is making up a smaller and smaller percentage of global population. That isn't a judgement, it's a scientific observation.



I should have explained a bit more as to what I meant by "spiritualism". I used that as a catch-all term to describe any and all belief systems that are either: not organized, that are neo-Pagan, Pagan, Occult, Wiccan, New Age, nature spirits, generalized non-specific belief in some higher power, mysticism, an individual's personal belief system that they've created for themselves that isn't specifically attached to another religion, etc.

Like Darwin, Tolkien was eager to avoid the Religious wrath his facts would cause. Those in Power rarely go quietly.

Tolkien was an expert in Runes and language, therefore he chose Mithrandir, as plausible deniability... A favorite excuse and verbage of the elite.

Yes, Ra was used by other religions but the link between the name and the Roman Gods is well known. Mithras of Rock linked to the Sun God.

Over the years Christianity and other denominations have attempted to desolve the link between Rock, Sun, light and ancient beliefs.

These beliefs are written in solid Gold Wizard hats depicting Sun and Moon phases found in Germany that predate Christianity.

They speak of the Earths seasons and Pagan rites. When the Romans invaded the Wizards vanished and almost no relics were left behind. But the truth is, any scientist will tell you the Sun is in charge of all matters upon Earth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winter_King

Read the Winter King.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winter_King

I hope faith dies out. Religions come and go, so hopefully we will evolve into a race that doesn't think that being morally correct is doing something good out of fear of eternal damnation, instead of just doing good things because it is right.

How can I respond to this thread , without touching some people feelings and emotions? I probably will try. Yeap!! So, The faith of a person as a single follower, with no temple or elder, is a pure faith. By the contrary, if the follower is surrounded by a temple and a bunch of elders, which most of the time, will tell the follower what to wear, what to say and what to think, now, the follower is a walking non-human being. Religion create dogma, which are made, with the idea of control the masses. Most of the religions of today are so complex to understand that you need heaven influence. let me give you some example. Some religions have priest, which are married. At the same time, this priest, love to hit their women almost every week. How can this be a men of God? other religions have priest who love the little boys to work with them at the altar, yeap!! also, Men of God? or Men for money? The future of faith, as people become aware, as how the scriptures were written, with the Ok to satisfy the animals instint of the men priest, and at the same time, preach the word of God, is the poison to the faith of the future.

As man descends more towards animalistic behavior, I think that faith in organized religion will continue to waver. Faith isn't easily defined anymore. Mankind is becoming more evil, and its faith is dying. I do believe that those who have any ideals of organized religion will eventually stray from it. Faith is on a downward spiral.

1. Do you think that in the long term (50+ years), that organized religions will become the minority, and perhaps vanish altogether?

It could go either way. It may be eradicated by governments or become unpopular due to the behaviors of followers of various religious groups. Most people need something to believe in and this could be considered a crutch by some and by others truths and as long as people have faith I believe religion will last but it may not be so public as it has been. By the looks of what is going on presently it seems to me it is having a resurgence. It is just that those who are not believers are forming their own groups, humanist groups and are banding together. The purpose for that is not yet known. At this stage seems more like a debunking thing but I'm sure there is something believed to be good about it. It goes back to another thread in the forum about mass delusion.


2. Do you think they will be replaced with "spiritualism;"

Spiritualism is totally different from being spiritual.

Spiritualism
1. a system of belief or religious practice based on supposed communication with the spirits of the dead, especially through mediums.

I was very deeply involved with this for years.

Being spiritual is different. It usually doesn't connect to a religion but most who write in the area say you can be religious and spiritual which has nothing to do with spiritualism. In some circles spiritualism is a religion. It is metaphysical. I use to go to a church called the Metaphysical Fellowship Church. New Age and all of that is just a media tag.

An article on being spiritual is here:
http://www.aquaac.org/un/sprtmean.html

Being a good person and trying to live by the golden rule could be prehaps thought of as a spiritual idea. Some may even believe in a higher power and life beyond death and all of that but don't pin it to any one belief system. I think it is growing but I don't think it will eclipse organized religion unless it is totally outlawed.


3. Or, do you think it will all be replaced with agnostics/atheists?

I don't think this will replace religion because there are too many believers and when something catastrophic happens, suddenly some find religion. It is the euphoria that brings you from the brink and gets labeled God. What direction they go is probably determined by what part of the world they live in. Western society is just getting more diversified as far as belief because we are more progressive. Other places are still living in the past with technology brought into . No I don't see this replacing all the rest but I think it is a growing movement and they will no longer keep quiet. I just see people getting more outspoken about what they believe and what they don't believe.

All hail The Singularity ... I am already in a position to see the fringe isms that may well swoop in and take some of the congregants of pop religion. I would suspect that those religions that are more businesses in disguise will met their doom.. I sincerely hope so.. then may the "true churches" be vetted and carry on as need be serving their flock rather then fleecing their flocks.

The masses will always follow a wolf in sheep's clothing because "forgiveness" is the key to faith.

I think that for the most part religion will continue forward,each choosing their own paths, and being;if nothing else,'tolerant' of the others around them.

Sadly with respect to.. if disasters,etc become a factor...There will always be zealots...in ANY religious faction,AND non-religious factions,that will use such catastrophes as a means to strike out.

50 years isn't such a stretch of time that I think drastic shifts would happen...100 or more,that could be an entirely new ballgame.

Tolerance is a default when it comes to religion, and spiritual beliefs. As long as the group doesn't harm or fleece those that don't belong to their faith, or belief. While religions may "top out" a bit. I would spectulate that cults will rise in number simply because some would join simply in rebellion of their previous declared faith, the faith that became stale or jaded them. it is hard for anyone to go through the motions of an already dull predictable service. So cults that turn it up, and allow autonomy with a flavor of togetherness will rival the established faiths.

Faith and Religions future fates have all been but sealed not only is it possible they might fade out but be outlawed in the near and distant future in roughly about another few hundred or thousand years or so it will be unheard of and more then likely unspoken of and about in fact people who bring it up would be probably executed. In the near future freedoms like this may no longer exist they will probably eventually be banded.

I dare them to Outlaw The Church of the Sub Genius, Discordianism, or Dudeism. Hail Eris!

I totally thought of this thread when i heard this song on the Internet Radio.

i think one can be spiritual without religion and i think people will always do what they do in public and then do what they do in private as time goes by and as different faiths emerge and grow, one can only believe in what one already knows so who knows what the future holds