It seems to me that most of the blame for the dwindling of what we call "mainline" religions can

[Atticus]

be placed at the feet of the extreme right-wing evangelicals.

In general, people do not like bossy condescending know-it-alls and that, IMHO, is how most of us see these people who insist on "saving" us. My beliefs---or lack thereof---are none of anyone else's business---period,

I will do my best to live what I believe to be a just and moral life, but I sure as hell would never try to impose my specific standards on anyone else and I RESENT anyone trying to impose theirs on me. I don't think that is a unique attitude.

Say "Excuse me" and ASK me to please step aside in a narrow crowded hallway and I will do so. Snarl "Get outta my goddam way!" and you have just met "Mr. Roadblock".

I once answered our doorbell to find a local "good Christian" who opened our storm door to offer me bible tracts which could "save my soul from eternal hell!" I grabbed the door handle and began to pull the door closed, saying "If you want to keep that hand, get it out of my house!" She walked away muttering something about "those who reject the Word".

Religious extremists---most in the US call themselves "Christian"--- are anarchists willing to sweep aside all man-made rules, laws and customs that do not fit into their narrow view of "God's will". Organized religion will not soon be rid of their stench.

[perfessor]

1. An evangelical is someone who ...

“… believes that a talking snake is real, but ‘love your enemies’ is just a metaphor.” - John Fugelsang

[piddyprints]

2. Definition of an evangelical:

A man/woman out walking his/her dogma.

Learned that decades ago. And I'm related to a crapload of them.

[lindysalsagal]

6. It's a drug.

Some are raised on it, some come to it out of emotional desperation and loneliness. But it is poison, nonetheless.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. I'm not sure that's true

I think that the “mainstream” sects were in decline well before the Religious Right came to prominence.

Bu I believe that their antics have accelerated the trends towards agnosticism and outright atheism like kerosene poured on bone-dry kindling during wild fire season.

[Gore1FL]

10. The evangelicals poisoned the "Christian" brand.

When someone who was raised religious has an inevitable "crisis-of-faith," such things are likely going to be considered as they re-evaluate.

[Wounded Bear]

4. K & R...nt

[Metaphorical]

5. There are many reasons

The politicization of fundamentalist churches has meant that many people who see religion as private are dismayed by what they see today, and in many cases the fundamentalists within many mainstream religion groups have also actively encouraged the purging of these "non-believers" as they see them. Increased urbanization has contributed to this as well - churches tend to thrive best in rural areas where they aren't competing with other belief systems and can dominate the social structures around them. Increased education usually correlates with decreased religious participation, as people tend to become more critical thinkers with college, one reason that fundamentalists are so anti-education that isn't their own propaganda. Finally, culturally the impact of previous generations on the young (especially among women) is at a significant low due to the dissolution of the extended family.

What that means in practice is that as this group becomes more and more of a minority, what remains is more virulent, vindictive, and, frankly, stupid. Unfortunately, they get a disproportionate amount of air time.

[lindysalsagal]

7. I agree, 100%. I know alot about religious cults, and your words are spot on.

[Atticus]

8. 👏 Hammer met nail head right there. Thank you. nt

[keithbvadu2]

9. 1+

[maxsolomon]

11. Theocracy is not Anarchy.

The RCC is a "mainline" religion, and they own this SCOTUS decision as much as any denomination does. how many Catholics are on the court? 6+ (Gorsuch is Catholic and Anglican somehow).

what is the US Catholic Bishop's position on Abortion rights? the Church has been inveighing against Abortion from the pulpit for decades.

Their power is not dwindling, it's at an apogee.