Just wondering if anyone else notices that many facets of christianity are trying to fit in with the new age, i mean the fact that many churches now accept homosexuality and allow them to marry, im not homophobic and have nothing at all against them, but isnt the bible supposed to be Gods word? i tend to see religion itself as a way to control the masses with less scrutiny than a politician would because of their faith. just seeing if anyone shared my opinion

The Gospel According To John
-- 15:6 "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."

I think the bigger problem is that we have too many of the Fundamentalists *****ing and complaining to get their way. I honestly don't see how anything that happens between 2 consenting adults, behind closed doors, has any affect on my life. I also don't see how allowing gays to marry effects the "sanctity of marriage" in any way, in all honesty the only people who will be "affected" by it, their marriage probably wasn't going to last.
In all honesty, I do think that the Atheist/Agnostic/Non-religious community needs to stand up and fight, before the US really does become the christian nation that the Fundamentalists claim it was made as.

Mega,

You are speaking of how religions adapts itself to fit in with the expectations of culture; yeah, that definitely happens. I expect churches in the south way back gave biblical support for slavery - no longer. And the polygamists in Utah are no longer polygamists (for the most part).

There's something else I believe I've seen, not as overt: Going back about 25 years ago I read contemporary (then) books marketed to Christians, and they had a certain tone, and certain set of beliefs (aside from the obvious Christian ones), and a certain kinds of advice being given.

I read 'new agey' type books and found completely different tone/beliefs/kinds of advice.

Ditto, books on applied psychology for laypeople whose authors had an academic bent - quite different from the Christian books.

Ten years later, it seemed to me that many Christian authors picked up and adopted many of the better ideas from the new agey and the applied psychology type books. Just last month a co-worker was listening to an Christian audio book that sounded -exactly- like a cliche new-agey self help book from decades past, except for a few word substitutions and bible quotes.

Successful memes cross pollinate!

well of course the fundamentalists complaining to get their way is hardly a problem. free speech and such you see. i see that the constitution is doing it's job just fine. marraige laws are changing in favor of gays as we speak. sure there are a few battles to be fought but we're fighing them well and the christian right is shrinking fast. witness the last election. america is becoming less of a christian nation each day.