Curious if members of HN attend any of these megachurches. If so, what is the draw?
American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
31–40 of 93 posts
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#32Protestantism and capitalism is basically the same idea. Greed is, for lack of a better word, good.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#33Curious if members of HN attend any of these megachurches. If so, what is the draw?
One thing I as an observer found weird was the general vibe of the church. I don't know if this applies to any but the one I was at, so take with a grain of salt.
At this church, every one seemed dress for image. Giant logo tight fitting shirts, bleached skinny jeans, spray tans, hair gels. Inside, giant TVs and loud music speakers. It felt like more going to a concert or club on a Friday night than a church.
In contrast, when I was a kid, every man wore a suit or some boring button up and slacks or jeans, women would wear a simple dress or something similar.
I'm not sure if church has changed that much in the last 20 or 30 years, or it's just that one, but I found it rather off-putting. It seemed like everyone was there to make it about themselves, and less about congregating for a religious reason.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#34A flock is, after all, how you refer to sheep.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#35Consider checking out your local UU (Unitarian Universalist) church if one exists. They're one of the few positioned to poach from the huge flock of "nones" without any change in belief. UU is basically the church of be excellent to each other , yet whenever I go it's almost entirely old people. It's fun to chat and drink coffee with them, but I wonder where all the younger atheists/humanists are.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#36Curious if members of HN attend any of these megachurches. If so, what is the draw?
I don't attend one, but I have stepped foot in some. Compared to an 'average' (200 person) church, the big ones have more refined music, teaching, and user experience. I guess it's easier to put more effort into content when the user base is 2,000 or 20,000, versus 200.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#37A flock is, after all, how you refer to sheep.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#38Consider checking out your local UU (Unitarian Universalist) church if one exists. They're one of the few positioned to poach from the huge flock of "nones" without any change in belief. UU is basically the church of be excellent to each other , yet whenever I go it's almost entirely old people. It's fun to chat and drink coffee with them, but I wonder where all the younger atheists/humanists are.
At home getting stoned and playing video games.
… only half-joking.
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#39Protestantism and capitalism is basically the same idea. Greed is, for lack of a better word, good.
[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainline_Protestant
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicalism#Terminology
Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks
#40Consider checking out your local UU (Unitarian Universalist) church if one exists. They're one of the few positioned to poach from the huge flock of "nones" without any change in belief. UU is basically the church of be excellent to each other , yet whenever I go it's almost entirely old people. It's fun to chat and drink coffee with them, but I wonder where all the younger atheists/humanists are.
Home, sleeping.
As an atheist, this is a challenge if you’re looking for community. These religious communities are organized around some common understanding of whatever sacred text they claim as truth. But it’s hard to feel as connected over disbelief and scepticism. Or maybe it’s all a multifactorial “Bowling Alone” problem that crosses religious and secular boundaries.