The Secular Bear Market In God

[Full Circle]

I found this article interesting in that construction spending for religious building has been in the decline for years. There is hope


Construction spending missed expectations falling 0.6% in June.

One of the notable drags on construction was the decline in spending on religious constructions, which was down 6.8% on the month, and 12.2% on the year.

A further breakdown, shows that private religious construction spending was down 7.3% on the month and 12.7% on the year.

But construction spending on religious institutions has been on a long-term, secular decline for some time now.


Read »

http://www.businessinsider.com/religious...0The%20Day

[genkaus]

I found this article interesting in that construction spending for religious building has been in the decline for years. There is hope


Construction spending missed expectations falling 0.6% in June.

One of the notable drags on construction was the decline in spending on religious constructions, which was down 6.8% on the month, and 12.2% on the year.

A further breakdown, shows that private religious construction spending was down 7.3% on the month and 12.7% on the year.

But construction spending on religious institutions has been on a long-term, secular decline for some time now.


Read »

http://www.businessinsider.com/religious...0The%20Day

The article is not very informative. It just indicates that there has been a decline in spending without delving into its possible causes. This decline doesn't necessarily indicate an actual decline in religiosity.

One cause might be that religious buildings are often used for people to get together as a community - something that is served equally by the internet. So that's one possible reason for the decline.

Another might be de-emphasis on rituals and ceremonies, which are typically what these buildings are primarily needed for.

However, the primary reason for this decline would most likely be the economic climate. The funds for these buildings come in form of charitable donations and with the economy being what it is, people are not in a particularly charitable mood. However, that does not mean that they are any less religious.

[Doubting Thomas]

I'm sure the economy has a lot to do with it, but personally I know of quite a few old church buildings which have either been abandoned or smaller structures turned into houses.

However, on the other hand I have seen a couple large new churches built lately.

The good news is that the few times I've been to church lately, I've noticed fewer and fewer younger people and mostly people 40 years or older. It would seem that the religious population is aging and the younger generations have less to do with religion.

[Captain Colostomy]

Dwindling coffers, lawsuits, hush money and upkeep of mistresses. Possibly entrance fees for Regattas, too. It all takes away from secondary(tertiary?) concerns like church building. Not to mention charitable concerns.

Well, thank gawd they still have tax exempt status. Imagine the fiasco if that wasn't still in effect.

Yes...let's imagine....

[Doubting Thomas]

I wish the IRS was a bit more strict on those churches who preach politics from the pulpit. I'm looking at you, Mormon church, with your Proposition 8. And you, right to life people who hand out leaflets at Catholic churches. And all other megachurches with pastors who tell their congregations to vote for.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Then again, a decline in spending on religious construction may not reflect how many of these structures are being built, or (as genkaus said) a decline in religiousity. Structures could be being built 'on the cheap', as it were.

Boru

[Anomalocaris]

A more useful statistic might be the growth rate in occupancy capacity rather than construction cost. Newer megachurches do seem to trend towards the cheap, warehouse like affairs without any pretense to class, calculated pack in the largest possible numbers of souls of low discernment for the least hit on the revenue available for the pastor's private jet.

[Tonus]

Maybe they're spending less money on building churches and more money building rocket ships. Because at some point, you start to realize that heaven ain't coming to you.