CNN reports about a growing number of cyber-churches, where services are broadcast and parishioners view it and even take part in it from the comfort of their homes.
Some insist that things will be lost, that one cannot simply "grab grape juice and a cracker from the fridge and watch a computer screen, thinking they are truly participating in a gathering of the faithful."
Why not? While many might not find meaning in such a scenario, they can attend traditional services. But if it is meaningful to someone, who is anyone to argue?
People gripe about lowering attendances at traditional services and people pulling away from faith, oftentimes because they feel they do not have time. The world is changing. Why should faith be expected to stay stagnant? This is how we evolve intellectually: we try new ideas and see if they work, and if they better someone's life, if it keeps someone closer to God than they would otherwise be, why complain?
Religion is what gets some folks through the Night. One of the fears of the lowed church attendance is empty coffers. Follow the money…
Not a cynical, sarcastic, bone in Terry’s body. Yes, the coffers do suffer, but the churches have programs to finance, pastors to pay, and taxes also. Yes, taxes on everything except for the footprint of the sanctuary.
Yes, churches help get people through the night, but that night is pretty dark and deep most of the time. The Church is a welcome relief to the hurting, and the downtrodden.
Religions are all about control, power and wealth and always have been, at least that is true of the big box religions. Not having their followers in house attending services reduces their contact and therefore their grip on followers. That means less money in the collection plate and fewer donations in the form of tithing’s.
It is true that churches do pay taxes on income earning property, though at a reduced rate, the do not however pay any taxes on their vast holdings of property. Hundreds of thousands of acres of land held by churches are tax free. Much of what churches do receive isn’t claimed as income.
I can see why they fear their followers “attending” online services because it is the first step in detaching from the church and realizing that they don’t need any help to believe in whatever god they choose.