Live data from Hacker News

American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

economist.com

31–40 of 93 posts

Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

#31
post #5

Curious if members of HN attend any of these megachurches. If so, what is the draw?

If you're asocial, and want to go to church but avoid the social aspect, ironically it's easier to blend into the large crowd than to attend a small church. If you're a strange face in a small church, everyone is going to start a conversation to welcome you.

Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

#32

Protestantism and capitalism is basically the same idea. Greed is, for lack of a better word, good.

Luther’s 95 theses literally condemn « indulgences » as promoting greed… I assume you were making a reference to Weber’s work (the Protestant ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism), which happened a few centuries later and has been heavily criticised and nuanced since.

Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

#33
post #5

Curious if members of HN attend any of these megachurches. If so, what is the draw?

My wife briefly attended one similar, though far from the one of the largest. Large enough to have sheriffs office shut down and direct traffic on a large highway at start and end.

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

#35
post #23

Consider 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.

Two of my good friends from college are UU (via their families) and I found their whole “thing” pretty interesting and positive. I can confirm your anecdote about it mostly being older people, though.

Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

#36
post #10
post #5

Curious 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.

And its easier to remain anonymous in huge crowds. In a small group, you will be forced to connect.

Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

#38
post #23

Consider 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.

> 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

#39

Protestantism and capitalism is basically the same idea. Greed is, for lack of a better word, good.

No, Mainline Protestant [0] churches don't aggressively seek publicity and converts, compared to evangelicals [1]. Neither do Catholics.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainline_Protestant

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicalism#Terminology

Re: American megachurches are thriving by poaching flocks

#40
post #23

Consider 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.

> 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.

Post reply on HN