Decline of Churches

I liked it when Cerebus threw a baby.

Between that and the current trouble churches have bringing in men, I guess the traditional ways are getting doubly kicked in the nuts, eh?

Watch the cuss words, sassypants.

It's just a continual process that is far form finished. The example pointed out by the article is a good one, it's a symptom of the hollowness of statistical religious denomination.

Also, Canada is pretty much the kind of society most western european societies are striving for nowadays, and although it would pain me to see the beautiful ecclesiastical properties go to waste, having the people stand up and admit they're not really christian would be a great thing indeed.

Agreed, a lot of parts of that article really made sense to me.

It's just not as cool as it used to be. Like Pogs.

I think that quote illuminates what I've felt the main problem has been. For years and years, I've sought a church that didn't look back. Or didn't look into its own navel. Or refrained from looking beyond its own parking lot. But they're not around too much.

Back in college, I used to hate the fact that my music history instructor and some of my psych and math profs were convinced that their classes were the be-all and end-all. They knew their classes were just part of whatever series of courses you were taking. And when they'd go "THIS is the most important thing you'll learn while at school here" I frankly didn't bother hiding that I was rolling my eyes at them. Because the claim was stupid. Yeah, the classes were tough and well taught and I enjoyed them, but I had to go through all the other degree requirements too.

Too many churches are run by people who think the only part of your life worth looking at is your spirit. "You have to take care of your immortal soul, my son". Bull-fucking-shit. You, good reverend, should think in terms of the WHOLE life of your flock. The spirit. The body. The mind. And apply what we've learned to making your message relevant to all three.

I work full time as a media director for a church. And my kids and wife don't really want to have anything to do with any of the churches around us. Because they don't believe them. Don't think they have any reason to show up because the church doesn't mean anything to them. And I can't say as I blame them. That's not been my experience while growing up, but times change.

And religious dogma doesn't.

In all seriousness, it's amazing how much the church was just an unquestioned part of popular culture. I mean, do The Simpsons even go to church anymore?

I agree with you that immortal souls are fairy tales, and focusing on them is a waste of time.

Don't be part of the problem! Spread the truth of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

And why should you blame them? Clearly you have managed to marry, and procreate, humans who are intelligent and brave enough to reject superstitious nonsense. Bravissimo!

That's a good point, our whole perception of what the church means to family life has changed drastically in the past decade or so. I never noticed The Simpsons thing, but I think you're right they sort of phased the churchy aspect out over time.

I'd like to think you're right, Overlord. But my eldest daughter still listens to Justin Timberlake and the Plain White Ts.

Well I know that I was a kid, eventually not going to church wasn't some bold statement on my part; I simply didn't want to spend one of my non-school days in a stuffy room in clothes that were uncomfortable listening to a guy talking about stuff I didn't understand and a big statue of a guy in pain looking down at me accusingly.

Our church had this killer hill right next to it though. I used to love to roll down it. Parents got mad because I got grass stains on my nice Sunday clothes.

I simply got tired of the "burning in hell" speeches and "abstinence is best" crap.

As with any organization, if you don't work with the present and keep fresh you will fail and become another chapter in a history book.

While you don't like those two things, at least they actually exist. Cheers!

They did in the movie, for whatever that's worth.