Churches fight to stay open as attendance dwindles
abcnews.go.com
Churches faced with empty pews are fighting to keep their doors open, while former houses of worship are being converted into bars, clubs and luxury condos.

Summary

Churches across the U.S. are grappling with dwindling attendance and financial instability, forcing many to close or sell properties.

The Diocese of Buffalo has shut down 100 parishes since the 2000s and plans to close 70 more. Nationwide, church membership has dropped from 80% in the 1940s to 45% today.

Some churches repurpose their land to survive, like Atlanta’s First United Methodist Church, which is building affordable housing.

Others, like Calcium Church in New York, make cutbacks to stay open. Leaders warn of the long-term risks of declining community and support for churches.

  • PsychadelligoatEnglish
    3•4 months ago

    So, what? Luciferianism has nothing to do with Christianity.

    Ridiculous statement, holy shit. The only reason that name is relevant is Christianity, it absolutely is related from it’s very beginning.

    The Luciferian label—in the sense of Lucifer-worshipper—was first used in the Gesta Treverorum in 1231 for a religious circle led by a woman named Lucardis (Luckhardis). It was said that in private she lamented the fall of Lucifer (Satan) and yearned for his restoration to heavenly rule.

    Feel free to check out my Lemmy comment history

    Lost enough brain cells already, thanks

    It’s called “karma” on certain occult/esoteric faiths.

    “Respect people’s mythical bullshit because of mythical bullshit!” What an argument! Sadly: nah, fuck that

    Respectfulness is a must

    It absolutely isn’t

    • Daemon Silverstein
      1•4 months ago

      it absolutely is related from it’s very beginning

      Do you know that things can branch off, take different paths and become completely different things, so different that they no longer have anything to do with each other, right?

      Take Chemistry, for example, a scientific field of knowledge. Do you know how Chemistry originated? Spoiler: it has to do with what you would call “mystical bullshit”.

      What about Biology and the discovery of genes? Do you know who first discovered the existence of genes, who they were, what they were?

      Should we associate your (possibly) beloved science with Christianity too?

      Going back to the Upper Paleolithic, when so-called “proto-religions” began to emerge, human associations between death and ritualistic practices were part of the contributing factors to where we are now, discussing on Lemmy, because their “mystical associations” and their “irrational” fear of death as an “unknown transcendental force” helped them try to avoid deadly things/predators/places, survive and reproduce, which propagated Homo sapiens as a species in the face of natural dangers. Here we are today, with 8 billion people, with better understanding of cosmic and natural phenomena through scientific inquiry, all thanks to our cave-dwelling ritualistic ancestors.