Who or what is killing Christianity?

eliyahu,

Greetings and welcome.

"Now that I have children, I will not watch most of those programs because of their sharp contrast with the faith of the new testament. It is so much show and glam, etc. I won't ridicule those people, but I can live the rest of my life without hearing shallow sermons and calls for money. Jesus isn't a showman."

Absolutely correct observation.

I think the Televangelists and the Cybervangelists are causing the maximum damage to Christianity.

I don't know if it is correct but I have heard that one cannot change or switch to another church, in the same city or town, if one wishes to. The local "Fathers" don't allow that. Is that true?

This is a reply to bmzsp,

     This is about your Q about Christians not being allowed by the local "fathers" to change churches. While some church leaders, for various reasons (some reasonable and some not), would try to disuade members of their congregation from changing churches, it is not something that most leaders could do anything to forcefully prevent a member from leaving. Back in the days of the Catholic Church's power, to leave the "church" usually meant torture, execution, persecution, shame, etc.  In today's world, many leaders often resort to business styled, commercial agendas to keep people and money coming in. This is called being "seeker sensitive." But there is a large, yet scattered and a small percent, of Christians who do not embrace "seeker sensitive" programs to draw people in or other more "traditional" forms of the faith, like formal, tightly structured services, "official" leaders occupying leadership positions that must be filled by  "professionals," and a number of popular teachings like tithing money, the pre-tribulation rapture of the Chrisians (Jesus secretly snatching away all the true believers and then the end of the world begins to unfold- like the popular "Left Behind" fiction novels), insisting on large, impressive buildings to meet in, fancy and official names of the congregation or denomination (version) of the faith they embrace, etc.

     I would also like to add as a side comment that, although I believe that the situations Israel is involved with since 1948 are a part of God's plan, I also grieve over the death and destruction Israel causes on others while trying to defend itself. I am broken in my heart over both Israeli and "Palestianian," Lebonese, etc. casualties and suffering, no matter who  is really at fault or not. All of it is a great trajedy. The land is indeed called "God's land" in the Bible. He also is clear and repetative that there is a designated area, of which Israel currently exists in a small part of it, which God calls His "promised land." He promised to give it to Jews at some point. However, many Christians are ignorant or intimidated by the fact that these promises were given a historical context of when God would give the land to Israel. It would be after a thorough purging of the Jewish people, after a great time of unpresidented calamity for Jews and all who identify with them as God's chosen people, after many of those still alive finally repent and embrace Jesus as their messiah and saviour. After all these things Jesus is to return and destroy the, still attacking,  enemies of Israel (whoever they are) and establish a universal kingdom of peace and true knowledge of God, effectively turning this world right side up. The current state of Israel is not that kingdom at all. It is a part of God's working through history which will one day be "crucified" like their true King, and then lie virtually "dead" and overwhelmed for a season. Then, will God send Jesus back and "resurrect" the Jewish people and their broken state back from hopelessness and near genocide. Israel will be totoally reborn in His way, fulfilling His intentions for them as a people to be a true "light to the nations" and be his Spiritual "sons." That is when the Surviving, Jews with new hearts will inherit the promised land in security and peace, without any disputers left, and without Jews forcibly taking anything unjustly. All the world will bow down to God and learn His ways of peace and righteousness, finally . No more Jihad, no more six day wars or occupations, no more war on terror, no more anti-Semitism or hate of any kind in anyone. There is so much more to this, but I hope that this is something for you to consider. This is part of what the apostle Paul and the prophet Jeremiah called "the hope of Israel."

     Anyhow, that is my snippet of what is called "eschatology" (knowledge of the final things). I hope it adds to your understanding of Christianity a little more.

bmzsp,

     I was not aware of that about the Qur'aan's teachings about that. Where does it say that (I have an English copy)? Do the Hadith state anything about that? Also, my understanding is that many Muslims believe that once a geographic area is ruled by Islam, it must remain under Islam's rule forever and is "holy" in that respect. This is part of the reason for the desire of many to uproot and/or destroy the nation of Israel in its location which was once ruled by the religion of Islam. That land is forever banned from the rule of any other religion or people other than the "house of peace" which is Islam. Is that true?

Is there any teaching which clarifies which specific land(s) are counted as set apart for the Jews or "holy" for some reason? What makes the land "holy?" Do some Muslims still deny that certain lands were or are given to Jews by God in the middle east in spite of the Qur'aan?