this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2024
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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.

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[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I cannot speak for the South, but I do see that quite a few churches in Colorado seem to have prominent signs outside saying "EVERYONE is welcome" etc.

I imagine like Scouts of America, many churches have to adapt or die. But Colorado is definitely not the South....

[–] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

sure. but how long are they welcome for? And how much do you need to align your culture and beliefs and how act and talk and dress, and even sway to the music, to stay welcome?

Even in churches that supposedly celebrate diversity... there will always be some sort of overriding homegenousness. Even if it starts with "we recognize the value in people different from us", anyone who doesn't gets asked to leave; and it's just a different kind of sameness.

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Oh, of course, but I'd say that holds true for so many institutions. Just try to truly be yourself on the job, for example... LOL.

But yeah. This is probably why I don't go to church.