I had somewhat of a religious epiphany this evening, or more like a epiphany about religion. With Atheism, Agnosticism, and deism on the rise, and the decline of organized religion. There is a very real possibility that Christianity itself may actually go extinct within some of our lifetimes. Well at least in our neck of the woods. Which as the title suggests is somewhat ironic given that so many organized Christians don't believe in extinction, because if contradicts their creationist view of the world. It would actually be quite humorous for a group of people to fall victim to something that they refuse to acknowledge exists as if it will actually save them.

Like a person that refuses to believe that there is a bear in the woods only to end up being eaten by the bear. I wonder if any Christians on this site have maybe spared a moment or two to dwell on the fact that at the end of their life they may well end up being the sole believer in their community. That there will not be any churches left to attend, and nobody to share their faith with. I suppose it is a situation that many Athiests can relate to, but many of us started out socially isolated to a degree. Some of these people will have never known any kind of isolation when it comes to their beliefs. That actually sounds kind of scarey to me.

I am honestly curious if the trend continues, and what I have suggested comes to pass. What do you think it will be like for those last believers who will most likely be the last of their kind. It isn't like it hasn't happened before. Western polytheistic faiths also collapsed pretty rapidly once the monotheistic religions came on the scene. In more modern times we can look to the Shakers as a example which now only has three members left.

I am interested in the perspective of both Christians and Non Christians alike. I would also like to hear any theories people might have about the religion even changing its colors and becoming a philosophy or it merging with other religions to become a non literal tradition. What I am not interested in is just plain outright dismissals. That would actually be off topic. I am not arguing for something happening, and thus there is no point in anyone arguing that something will not happen. If you don't want to entertain the notion, or that somebody floated the idea in the first place. The correct response would be to create a new thread all your own. Rather then derailing this thread.

Personally I find the endings of belief systems just as compelling as the beginnings of belief systems, and it is kind of strange that we rarely talk about how that impacts the people who build their lives around them. On one hand it is kind of tragic, but on the other hand it is also a new beginning and those are exciting.

Thoughts?

Hmm...I think there was a quote made by some christian guy saying to not fight evolution because then young people won't believe in Christianity.

can't find it.

In my community, more and more people are becoming atheist. I feel that more of my peers have become atheist as they grew older.

I was atheist since elementary, got a lot of BS from that.

I met a couple atheists in Middle school, we talked.

High School is where atheism seemed to explode, all of a sudden a lot more people were atheist. And for the 1st time ever my Christian friends were fine with it.

First off, I want to point out that I'm a Christian. I believe in Extinction, I don't know how anyone couldn't.

Secondly, your OP seems very sad. A world where Christianity goes extinct is a sad place and I don't care what anyone has to say about me saying that. Because it's true, many people would be sad about it.

I'm not saying that "extinction" of Christianity or any other organized religion won't happen. I'm just saying that, if it does happen, it would be sad.

Why would it be sad? If there are no Christians then who would be sad about the extinction of Christianity?

If we are talking about a world where there was no Christianity to start with, then no one would be sad. But I get the feeling that the OP wasn't talking about that. I think he's talking about a gradual extinction, people would be sad that their religion is ending. Why would they not?

Edit: "That would actually be off topic. I am not arguing for something happening, and thus there is no point in anyone arguing that something will not happen. If you don't want to entertain the notion, or that somebody floated the idea in the first place. " Not sure what to take from this. Should I stop discussing this topic, or not?

I thought you meant after the extinction. 

But during the extinction sure some people would be sad. The good thing is as the number of Christians decrease, the number of sad people would simultaneously decrease, meaning the extinction would make the world less sad and more happy.

The number of Christians and Muslims in the world is net increasing because of high birthrates in South America, Africa and the Middle East.

True, but the extinction of a religion isn't necessarily a happy thing to discuss, at all. You probably have a differing opinion, though.

I'm admittedly not really up to date on the tenets of Christianity, but I'm fairly certain that the vast, vast majority of Christians don't believe that there are still dinosaurs and, therefore, do in fact believe in extinction.

Also, the idea that Christianity will go extinct in the lifetime of anyone reading this is not a very real possibility, nor even a remote one.