{"id":12786,"date":"2024-07-02T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/holistic.news\/en\/?p=12786"},"modified":"2024-07-03T12:46:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T10:46:41","slug":"decline-of-christianity-why-people-turn-to-astrology-or-neo-cults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/holistic.news\/en\/decline-of-christianity-why-people-turn-to-astrology-or-neo-cults\/","title":{"rendered":"Divination, Astrology, Neo-Cults, and Islam: Christianity Is No Longer in Vogue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Misconceptions about large families<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This trend also affects the European Union as a whole \u2013 its member states were founded and shaped by Christianity, and many of the ideas that form the basis of the EU, such as human rights, European values, and dominant ethical systems, largely originate from this religion. The European Union itself, in some ways, mirrors the role played by the papacy, especially in the Middle Ages. At the same time, it must be noted that the Union also draws from other religions and cultures, such as Roman law from ancient Rome and the philosophical traditions of ancient Greece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, over the past few decades, European countries have become significantly secularized. To put it bluntly, they have shifted towards deism (belief in an unspecified and non-interventionist God), agnosticism (religious neutrality), and atheism (rejection of religiosity). Increasingly, people are losing interest in Christianity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it remains significant and its followers constitute the main religious group almost everywhere in the EU, there is no longer a strict adherence to rituals, deference to church hierarchies in public matters, or regular attendance at Sunday Mass. What is widespread, however, is the celebration of Christian holidays and traditions even by atheists and agnostics, who view it as a way of cultivating their own culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Decline
Photo: Enrique Bancalari \/ Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Decline of Christianity vs Islam in Europe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the secularizing and laicization ground of Europe, a niche has emerged \u2013 one that, as expected, is quickly being filled by new religions, neo-religions, ideologies, and para-religious movements. Islam has become a significant component of the European ecosystem of ideas and religions, influencing up to 10% of the population in some countries. It is not surprising, given the significant immigration of Muslims from Islamic countries, which also have much higher fertility rates than Europeans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Islam in Europe is mainly fueled by immigrants from Asia and Africa, there is also a growing phenomenon of native Europeans converting to this religion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When Gulnaz Sibgatullina [a researcher at the University of Amsterdam] began her research on European converts to Islam, she expected a niche group. Over time, she discovered that its growth was much greater than anticipated and found strong connections with supporters of right-wing, conservative ideologies<\/p>\n\u2013 reports the University of Amsterdam. <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is also my intuition that Europeans converting to Islam are often radical conservatives dissatisfied with the weakening and increasingly submissive stance of the Church. According to the New York Center for Terrorism Studies, converts constituted 2% of the Muslim population in Europe in 2011. The Guardian reported in 2021 that approximately 5,000 British citizens convert to Islam annually, primarily women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend:<\/strong> Are Reports of Religion\u2019s Decline Premature?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are Reports of Religion\u2019s Decline Premature?<\/a><\/blockquote>