I can't go to this church!
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
February 25, 2007 8:31pm CST
Okay, I am not religious by any means. I guess I'd say I'm more spiritual if that makes sense. A few years ago this new church started in our area and it took off. The church bought a mall, kicked out all the local merchants when their lease was up and bought out the two major retailers that were there. Then they remodeled. My inlaws attend services there and take my kids on a weekly basis. My MIL has been harrassing my hubby and I to go because she says it is just the greatest place. I don't agree with her. I have a hard time with the idea of a church that has a big screen instead of a minister. They hold 5 services between 2 days and local law enforcement has to direct the traffic. They sell DVD's of their "services". And the one time I met her there so she could take the kids the inside looked more like a Starbucks than a church. As a matter of fact they bought all the outbuildings associated with the mall, kicked out one of the restaurants and is leasing the space to Starbucks, they bulldozed the rest for parking space. I guess I am upset because this was a mall that held a lot of local merchants, who contributed to our city not only with the services they provided but with their tax dollars.(They fought to stay but this church bought the whole building) And being a church and non profit they are exempt from taxes. Don't get me wrong,I'm sure they do alot of good for people, and the following they have is huge, I just can't get over the idea that this is more of a business enterprise than it is a place of worship. Reality is religon seems to be a big money maker, but I think this is taking it to far. What does everyone else think? Do you have any places like this where you live? Do you attend? Why or why not?
4 people like this
4 responses
@quadium32 (129)
• United States
26 Feb 07
It's funny, because in my city, one of the biggest churches is in what used to be a mall, however it was completely deserted when they bought it out, and no one had really a use for it. I have only been to that mall-church once, though, and it was pretty weird, it just seemed a little... too big. It seems like it can get to the point where the church is so big that you cant know many people, everyone would start to form their own little groups, or at least it seems like that would happen. The church I go to is considerably smaller with about 600 members or so, which is still pretty big. (the church my grandma goes to has about 80 people)
But, thats just my take on it.
3 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
26 Feb 07
So now I have to wonder if this mall-church idea isn't a phenomenon that's sweeping the nation! I guess if I were to go to church it would be an old fashioned church with great historical architecture and a real live minister. This whole mall thing seems so goofy, all I could think when I was inthere would be "so this is where JCPenneys used to be."
1 person likes this
@Anakata2007 (1785)
• Canada
26 Feb 07
I dont' agree with one thing you said. Religion it self isn't in the wrong here. It isn't a big money maker, but it is CERTAIN churches and CERTAIN ministers that are big money makers and that give all of religion a bad name. Religion itself is just a faith in God or a higher power and a belief in miracles and hope for the future. You can have religion without ever going to a church.
Anyways, as for your question, there is no way I could go to this church. It sounds so commercialized, almost like the BlockBuster of Churches! There are places like this where I live, in Canada, but I woudln't set foot in one of them.
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I wasn't trying to say religion is wrong. I was trying to say that the commercialization of religion, especially in the case of the church I described is just taking it a little too far.
1 person likes this
@manong05 (5027)
• Philippines
28 Feb 07
People attend churches for different reasons. Some are content just by having a church to attend without really actively participating to the extent that they can call it a home where they can grow spiritually. Sometimes smaller churches are much more effective in meeting people's needs and are more conducive to member's spiritual growth.
I wouldn't attend a church merely for attending. It must be a place where I can see a family of believers helping and caring for each other as members of the body of Christ.
1 person likes this
@ashcroft3 (58)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Sounds like another "Money Maker" church. You do what you want with your spiritual life and tell your inlaws to mind their own business !!!!
2 people like this
