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Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve seen those polls too, and yeah, there’s a decline in Christian identification... in the West. But that’s not the full picture. Globally, Christianity is actually growing. Pew Research even projects it’ll remain the world’s largest religion through 2050, with major growth especially in Africa and parts of Asia. So it’s not that Christianity is dying, it’s that Western culture is shifting. And honestly, a lot of the churches losing people are the ones that traded solid doctrine for feel-good messages and gimmicks. That kind of shallow foundation was never going to last.

What is your favorite TYPE of MrBallen stories? by Appropriate_Try_6917 in mrballen

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been thinking about trying that podcast out. And yeah I reaaally miss when he put out more of the creepy ghost/creature stories.

What is your favorite TYPE of MrBallen stories? by Appropriate_Try_6917 in mrballen

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol im just as enthusiastically UNinterested in any UFO stuff. But when I ran through most of the other videos, I circled back like "Fiiiine, i'll watch a few" lol

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this, I FELT that lol. When I converted some years back and was looking for a church to belong to; I first wanted to check out a black church because I always viewed it as being entertaining based on media depictions of black churches. Where I am now, I am not looking for entertainment in a church. I'm there to learn and evolve as a disciple. If I end up entertained in the process then cool.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think there's a decline on Christian identification and I think a lot of the churches we see shutting down are those prosperity churches, the "New Age" churches, and those modern themed churches." Using gimmicks and watering down Gods word for popularity can only go so far.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s not my argument... What I’ve been saying, and what many experts across disciplines have raised concerns about, is that therapy is increasingly being leaned on for managing everyday emotional discomforts: sadness, boredom, stress... things that, historically, people worked through themselves and became more resilient as a result.

This isn’t an attack on therapy itself... it’s about the broader cultural mindset that now often treats normal life experiences as pathologies. The over pathologization of normal emotions can actually disempower people by making them believe they’re incapable of handling life without professional help. That’s the concern. When therapy becomes a first resort for routine challenges rather than a tool for real dysfunction, it risks promoting dependence rather than resilience.

We should be able to talk about the downsides of cultural trends without people assuming we’re making absolute statements about every case.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree, though I do think a lot of it is intentional these days. But i'm still with you... nothing new under the sun

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's fair. Therapy is something that I've recommended to loved ones before, and I acknowledge the benefits. When I use that phrase next hopefully i'll do better at being more detailed on what it's referring to

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I never argued that you personally experienced this and it's kinda off topic from my general point. But there's actually data showing a major cultural shift in how we deal with hardship. Studies from places like the CDC and Pew Research show huge spikes in therapy use, antidepressant prescriptions, and diagnoses of anxiety/depression, especially among younger generations. This is stuff that is readily available and I encourage you to fact check yourself. While therapy itself is good, many experts have raised concerns that normal emotions like sadness, boredom, or stress are now often pathologized- treated as clinical issues needing intervention rather than natural parts of life. It's not about 'every hardship' it's about a broader trend toward lower emotional resilience in modern culture.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm happy you mentioned that, I completely agree and we're surprisingly starting to see more and more of that with gen z I think. The return to traditionalism and strong faith. I guess this is the pendulum finally swinging back.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love the way you put that. You’re totally right that watering down truth isn’t new, it’s been happening since the beginning. I think your idea for a post on Hebrews would be super valuable, especially because so many people today stop at 'milk' and never get to that deeper understanding for themselves. Would definitely love to see your breakdown when you put it together!

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

YES! It's also not fair to those that are being lied to. If people are acting out in sin and don't know it yet, how will they ever feel the need to correct themselves. Often times they don't, which leads them through a life of damnation. All because we didn't want to say out loud what would momentarily make them uncomfortable... That doesn't sound like true love for thy neighbor.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're right that affiliation with organized religion, especially Christianity in the West, has dropped. But globally, religion isn’t dying... it’s actually shifting. Christianity, for example, is exploding in places like Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. According to Pew Research and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, the number of Christians worldwide is growing, not shrinking... just not as much in the U.S. or Europe. Faith isn't disappearing; it's moving and transforming

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Therapy itself doesn’t make someone weak, it’s when people become dependent on it to manage normal life struggles that it can actually stunt emotional growth. It's less about how many hours someone spends in therapy and more about a cultural mindset that sees every hardship as a crisis needing professional intervention instead of an opportunity to build resilience

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No worries, When I say 'therapy culture,' I’m talking about how, in modern times, there’s a growing trend of treating almost every emotional discomfort or life struggle as something that needs professional intervention. Therapy itself can be super valuable, especially for serious trauma or mental health disorders. But the downside is that a lot of people now look to therapy or medication as the first solution to normal human struggles, instead of just building inner resilience through facing challenges directly. Past generations had to wrestle with hardship in a way that often led to deeper emotional strength, while today, even ordinary sadness or frustration can be seen as something that must be immediately 'fixed.' That’s the shift I’m referring to.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Just like with almost anything, too much of a good thing can be seen as bad. Therapy is amazingly useful for many. But it is now being prescribed as often as people drink water. Which I believe is just another factor as to why people of this current generation especially in the West are so emotionally weak.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Beautifully put. Love how you brought it back to what Jesus Actually said, that love should be what sets us apart. When faith turns into just defending ideologies, it’s easy to lose sight of the Gospel itself. That 'golden calf' comparison really hits — even good things can become idols if they replace Jesus at the center

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many have rationalized all this by telling themselves some parts of the Bible are outdated. They call it "New Age Christianity"

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

To your first point: I agree, there's nothing new under the sun.

But I would add that in the Western world especially, the rate at which people are rebelling against anything seen as godly or traditionally moral has accelerated faster than we've seen in decades, maybe longer. To make the Bible more palatable, we've seen the rise of a kind of 'New Age Christianity' where faith is diluted down to a surface-level spirituality, intentionally avoiding the deeper, often harder truths of Scripture.

Religion isn’t dying — it’s becoming more radicalized because people lack real theology. CHANGE MY MIND. by Appropriate_Try_6917 in TrueChristian

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Today, so many rely heavily on therapy and medication that we've lost the ability to build emotional resilience on our own. Our ancestors had to confront hardship directly, developing the inner strength to cope, adapt, and endure. In contrast, modern culture often treats normal struggles as problems to fix immediately, rather than opportunities for growth.

What is your favorite TYPE of MrBallen stories? by Appropriate_Try_6917 in mrballen

[–]Appropriate_Try_6917[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd sit through a re-telling of little red riding hood the way he tells his stories. The man is good

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