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Anybody else see this in The Atlantic? theatlantic.com/ideas/a…
I've long thought that a big reason for the decline in church participation is linked to economic precarity. People going through a divorce or unemployment should feel like their church is there for them--instead, it's quite common for them to stop going to church because the…
Anybody else see this in The Atlantic? https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/christian-church-communitiy-participation-drop/674843/
I've long thought that a big reason for the decline in church participation is linked to economic precarity. People going through a divorce or unemployment should feel like their church is there for them--instead, it's quite common for them to stop going to church because they are embarrassed or ashamed--"everybody else seems to be doing so well so what is wrong with me?"
^^ THIS. At its root church is about community, which picks up the pieces when disaster hits and/or faith departs.
You aren't excommunicated, but you can't have communion. Which is why I am now an Episcopalian and wondering why I didn't switch sooner.
Not if you are Newt Gingrich (he had has two marriages "annulled") or Joe Kennedy (who received an from his wife Sheila Rauch Kennedy after 11 years of marriage, two sons, and a civil divorce - she fought the annulment and won after 10 years) or someone with money and influence.
And not supposed to take Holy Communion according to U.S. Bishops Assn.
Which Pope Paco excoriated saying if a person is baptized he/she has the right to receive the sacrament.
But, of course, some U.S. bishops ignore him.