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.

  • forcedfail@lemm.ee
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    4 days ago

    WTF is a militant atheist? I don’t think anyone here has murdered or even beat the shit out of someone in the name of atheism.

    • Plaidboy@sh.itjust.works
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      4 days ago

      I think that they are referring to the somewhat adversarial attitude of the comments in this thread. I think that a religious person, especially a self identifying Christian, would feel a bit uncomfortable reading these comments.

      Merriam-Webster on “militant” (2nd definition): aggressively active (as in a cause) : combative; militant conservationists; a militant attitude

    • NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io
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      4 days ago

      That’s not what “militant atheist” means. It means, well… The sort of atheist who’d celebrate churches closing.

    • ComradeMiao@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      4 days ago

      Are you replying in bad faith or do you not know what militant means? I did not mean a military if atheists lol ;)

        • ComradeMiao@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          4 days ago

          You’re replying to my comment on militant atheists against religion asking what I would call people who say a children’s story isn’t real? I’m sure this sounded like a got me but comparing two thousand year old religious tradition to a fairy tale and their very different roles in society throughout history is just silly.

            • ComradeMiao@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              4 days ago

              I’m not ignorant enough to say just because one doesn’t think god or Santa are real that both things are the same. Semantics matter. Comparing religion to fairy tales is generalizing to the max.

              Blocked. You’re arguing in bad faith and just trying to get me without reading what I even wrote. Waste of time.