Book Club Notes from Day one

Disclaimer: These notes are representative of a group of about 8 people who gathered on Monday night to discuss the introduction and first chapter of the book.
Introduction:
The future belongs to the younger generation. Questions are being posed on how the gap can be bridged. What has led to the decline of the church in general? Do we need to preserve the church of 50 years ago? Charlie says no. We need to preserve the church of 2,000 years ago. Communication between all groups is essential. Is it possible?

#1 Skeptics and faithful
Non Christians and Christians
Liberals and conservatives
Progressives and sticks in the mud.
Who is right? They are all right. The world is becoming more secular and yet, it is becoming more religious.
#2 The religious people are getting more conservative. As Christians our fight should not be against each other. Our fight should be against those who do not believe. There is great passion by people to promote religion. There is also great passion with the people who have great opposition to religion. Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchins, Richard Dawkins and others are popular atheist authors. Both groups think that the other is growing. The question that was posed: Can a secularists who doesn't believe in God be evangelistic? The answer is yes. Passion and growth = polarization.
#3 The third group is people who practice what they preach.
#4 Commonality is a must in order for there to be a discussion. Unless there is some common ground there will only be denunciation of the opposing camp.
#5 Your doubts end up strengthening your faith. It was suggested in the discussion that fundamentalism kicks out those who question.
#7 It is only safe to engage in an argument when you have listened and worn the other persons shoes.
#8 The answer is yes. With that said there are popular people out there like Bono and Rick Warren who are trying to unite the camps.
#9 Because I am right and you are wrong. No peace.
#10 The slippery slope occurs when "the truth" that we are raised with makes us(in our minds) superior to others. We all think that we are superior.
#11 The tragic irony is that whenever government has tried to control religion the result has been violence. Examples given were Russia, China, and Germany.
#12 The secularization thesis thinks that we once needed God. However, now that we are technologically and scientifically advanced we no longer need religion.
#13 The inconsistency is that you have to take a leap of faith. Belief in God and Jesus is a religion. If you don't believe in God you will believe in something else.

Surroundings condition people to believe things. Most religions are based on the idea that the better I am the closer I am to God. We believe in a gentle Christianity. Grace.