With the recent thread on the changing of religions over time I've begun to really think about how religions were practiced in the past.

My question to you all, do you think the average person's commitment to religion has changed over the years.

Do you think we are as active in religion as they were in say Ancient Egypt?

If so, why? Also if not why?

-Val

[This message has been edited by Valmont (edited 07-21-2005).]

Lets put it like this, the Jews walked around the desert for 40 years because the were following God. The New Testament tells us that the end times are at hand (and have been ever since the exit of Jesus), yet there are more people leaving the mission field forever than those that are coming back.

Modernization breeds comfort, comfort breeds apathy, apathy destroys commitment. Ever wonder why marriages break up so easy and that there are more divorces among religious people? No commitment.

No, I don't think its changed much, its just that people are more open about it now. Say take your average Catholic today and compare him to one 1000 years ago and compare him to the Jew 3000 before that, I think in a lot of cases, most people go through the motions, even thinking they are doing the right thing, even if they aren't. Stuff like that.

BTW, Valmont how come I never saw you post in this forum until you were a moderator?

People generally 'inherit' their parents religion. Science generally erodes belief, though, because it's generally easier to accept (you can do it yourself). There's no real need for God(s) amongst most people today.

Religions just don't have the legal power to control thier members like they used to. At least in the West, Islamic law is being enforced in the Middle East pretty much the way it always has.