Good News

[Chas]

THe question that leaves for those that do not believe is - What to do with all the empty churches! (Bring Back Bowling?)

They make really nice theaters, private schools, craft centers, antique shops, and so much more. Though theater and antique uses may be a little ironic. Just as long as they get used for something so they don't become a "den of thieves."

A former Universalist church in my town was converted to condos, and a former Catholic church to office space.

[Brian37]

The great thing about being an atheist is you are not threatened by hell. You can sleep in on the weekends and watch your favorite sport without apologizing to a fictional being for drinking beer and cheering on your favorite team.

[Minimalist]

What to do with all the empty churches!

Medical marijuana dispensaries? Gay marriage nuptial centers? Abortion clinics?

[Lek]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140613/NEWS05/306130023

Membership in Presbyterian Church USA has plummeted over the past 20 years. It has lost roughly 1 million members — more than a third of its membership — from about 2.8 million in 1992 to 1.8 million last year, a decline shared by other mainline Protestant denominations.

Keep up the good work!

Many mainline denominations have become liberal, discounting the authority of the scriptures, saying Jesus didn't physically rise from the dead, performing gay marriages, etc., and they're losing members like crazy. Heck, even you probably wouldn't mind belonging to one of those churches Mini.

[Bob Kelso]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140613/NEWS05/306130023



Keep up the good work!

Many mainline denominations have become liberal, discounting the authority of the scriptures, saying Jesus didn't physically rise from the dead, performing gay marriages, etc., and they're losing members like crazy.

So in other words, they're retreating, as Christians have done for the last few centuries. Too bad the Muslims are doubling down instead of taking a cue from their Abrahamic brethren.

[Lek]

Many mainline denominations have become liberal, discounting the authority of the scriptures, saying Jesus didn't physically rise from the dead, performing gay marriages, etc., and they're losing members like crazy.

So in other words, they're retreating, as Christians have done for the last few centuries. Too bad the Muslims are doubling down instead of taking a cue from their Abrahamic brethren.

I don't think all christians are retreating or have been, but you're right that many mainline churches are. Who knows? Maybe the US will become an atheist nation someday and you guys can have you're turn at saving the world.

[vorlon13]

I've noted over the years that churches (except Unitarian Universalist) which start actively courting outside groups to use their facilities (like 12 Steppers) are in a serious financial/membership decline. Membership drops, expenses go up, and pretty soon having a Latino AA group on Tuesday, the Abused Womyns Support Group on Wednesdays, and a Gay AA meeting on Friday night seems like a good idea to raise a little easy money to keep the church open a few more years.

Still, it seems inevitable, the church will still close their doors, maybe merge with another franchisee across town, and the 12 Steppers will be looking for a new church basement.

The Unitarian's are a bit different, even growing, financially secure congregations like having, for example, a Gay 12 Steppers group, partly for 'status' (bragging rights in the church website) and to assuage liberal guilt.

[Lek]

I've noted over the years that churches (except Unitarian Universalist) which start actively courting outside groups to use their facilities (like 12 Steppers) are in a serious financial/membership decline. Membership drops, expenses go up, and pretty soon having a Latino AA group on Tuesday, an abused womyns support group on Wednesdays, and a Gay AA meeting on Friday night seems like a good idea to raise a little easy money to keep the church open a few more years.

Still, it seems inevitable, the church will still close their doors, maybe merge with another franchisee across town, and the 12 Steppers will be looking for a new church basement.

The Unitarian's are a bit different, even growing, financially secure congregations like having, for example, a Gay 12 Steppers group, partly for 'status' (bragging rights in the church website) and to assuage liberal guilt.

That's the way to bring them in. Just give them what they want.

[Minimalist]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140613/NEWS05/306130023



Keep up the good work!

Many mainline denominations have become liberal, discounting the authority of the scriptures, saying Jesus didn't physically rise from the dead, performing gay marriages, etc., and they're losing members like crazy. Heck, even you probably wouldn't mind belonging to one of those churches Mini.

Fuck all churches, Lek.

[ThomM]

http://www.freep.com/article/20140613/NEWS05/306130023



Keep up the good work!

Many mainline denominations have become liberal, discounting the authority of the scriptures, saying Jesus didn't physically rise from the dead, performing gay marriages, etc., and they're losing members like crazy. Heck, even you probably wouldn't mind belonging to one of those churches Mini.

Since the christ cannot be proven to have been physically real - taking the side of proven truth makes these churches unusual. They don't believe in Fairy tales!
As far as performing gay marriages and losing members - The Old folks who make up the now majority of church members are simply dying off - and there are simply not enough gay marriages to make up the difference.

But WHY belong to a church - when there is NO benefit they can prove you get? They claim to support the poor -= but they collect fees from their donation that make them an inefficient way to help the poor - a higher percentage of the money goes to Administration than the poor

Your implication - however - is wrong that liberal churches are losing members - It is the most conservative churches that are dying out faster.

Look at this Link
http://philanthropy2012.hubpages.com/hub...s-A-Sadist

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Many mainline denominations have become liberal, discounting the authority of the scriptures, saying Jesus didn't physically rise from the dead, performing gay marriages, etc., and they're losing members like crazy.

So in other words, they're retreating, as Christians have done for the last few centuries. Too bad the Muslims are doubling down instead of taking a cue from their Abrahamic brethren.

Muslim denomination have the same problems as xtian ones.

However - they are far more violent against women than xtian nonsense is.
When these families emigrate from the middle east to democratic countries where the woman have the same rights as men - the divorce rates skyrocket - as they have in the usa. And these women take their kids with them - and leave the religion behind.