Churches fight to stay open as attendance dwindles
abcnews.go.com
Churches faced with empty pews are fighting to keep their doors open, while former houses of worship are being converted into bars, clubs and luxury condos.

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.

  • @[email protected]
    6•6 days ago

    Science hasn’t proven people can’t walk on water, turn blood into wine, or resurrect from death?

    Wasn’t aware those were still up in the air.

    • @Quadhammer
      0•6 days ago

      Hoverboots, alien yeast Gatorade, Android or regenerative body parts

      • Flying Squid
        1•5 days ago

        I missed the part of the New Testament where Jesus scored a sweet pair of hoverboots and a pallet of Gatorade.

        • @Quadhammer
          2•5 days ago

          Alien cyborg hoverboots that look like regular legs and the Gatorade was in powdered form

    • @[email protected]
      -1•6 days ago

      I didn’t get my point across properly. Read my edit if you’re interested. I was referring to magic in general, not the magic in the Bible.

      Personally, I think the truths of each of your points would be things like mistranslations, misunderstandings, unreliable testimonies, or fabrications.

      …but to get into semantics, the scientific method can’t really prove a negative. And by early definitions of “death”, we are able to resurrect people now.