Biden is OK with China's one-child policy...

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

the downfall of Catholicism will be that people are expected to unquestionably accept and practice the Catholic interpretation of the Bible's teachings

yup...probably gonna happen any day now

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by scottw

yup...probably gonna happen any day now

Lack of evolving(no pun intended) with the times. Society's mentality and science have changed the way people think. Church attendance is down significantly. Last study I saw showed fewer than half self-proclaimed Catholics had been to church recently. I don't know a single person under 50 years old that attends church even 2x/month.

Churches aren't struggling for money solely because of the diddling priests.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Church attendance is down significantly. Last study I saw showed fewer than half self-proclaimed Catholics had been to church recently. I don't know a single person under 50 years old that attends church even 2x/month.

Churches aren't struggling for money solely because of the diddling priests.

you are an idiot...

Americans' Church Attendance Inches Up in 2010

WIKI
Church attendance in developed countries has gradually declined. Research has attributed this to lack of motivation, negative media coverage of religion and boredom during the services.
One study published in the Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion, however, argues that at least in America, church attendance since the 1990s has remained stable at 25%.[14] A Gallup poll found that church attendance among Protestants has remained stable at roughly 45% since 1955, while church attendance among Catholics has dropped from 75% to 45%, although it has remained stable since 1995, despite negative stories in the news.

Gallup International indicates that 41%[1] of American citizens report they regularly attend religious services, compared to 15% of French citizens, 10% of UK citizens,[2] and 7.5% of Australian citizens.[3]


The Pew Research Center has linked weekly church attendance with happiness.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by scottw

you are an idiot...

Americans' Church Attendance Inches Up in 2010

WIKI
Church attendance in developed countries has gradually declined. Research has attributed this to lack of motivation, negative media coverage of religion and boredom during the services.
One study published in the Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion, however, argues that at least in America, church attendance since the 1990s has remained stable at 25%.[14] A Gallup poll found that church attendance among Protestants has remained stable at roughly 45% since 1955, while church attendance among Catholics has dropped from 75% to 45%, although it has remained stable since 1995, despite negative stories in the news.

Gallup International indicates that 41%[1] of American citizens report they regularly attend religious services, compared to 15% of French citizens, 10% of UK citizens,[2] and 7.5% of Australian citizens.[3]


The Pew Research Center has linked weekly church attendance with happiness.

While I do find you of all people calling someone an idiot amusing, I'll admit when I'm wrong - shouldn't have assumed parishes closing meant membership was down. Doing some digging: "The Roman Catholic Church continues to see its membership increase in the U.S., while most Protestant churches are shrinking, according to an annual report by the National Council of Churches."
Catholic church growing, Baptist and mainline Protestant numbers decline | Believe It or Not | a Chron.com blog

I guess the whole diddling little kids thing must be the reason for the financial issues then.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

While I do find you of all people calling someone an idiot amusing, I'll admit when I'm wrong - shouldn't have assumed parishes closing meant membership was down. Doing some digging: "The Roman Catholic Church continues to see its membership increase in the U.S., while most Protestant churches are shrinking, according to an annual report by the National Council of Churches."
Catholic church growing, Baptist and mainline Protestant numbers decline | Believe It or Not | a Chron.com blog

I guess the whole diddling little kids thing must be the reason for the financial issues then.

Johnny, the goal of the Catholic church in this country is not to maximize membership at the expense of our beliefs.

There are plenty of religions out there that change with the times, in order to attract as many people as they can on that given Sunday. Catholics have taken a different approach. If our numbers drop, fine. Better to have a small number of genuine Catholics than a large congregation that believes in nothing.

If you don't know anyone who goes to mass, I believe you. Somehow, the catholic church will try to soldier on without you and your circle...

"I guess the whole diddling little kids thing must be the reason for the financial issues then"

That statement says a lot more baout you than it does about my church...

[JohnnyD]

Also...

Originally Posted by scottw

you are an idiot...

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I don't know a single person under 50 years old that attends church even 2x/month.

guess it depends on who you know...
you're still an idiot...but I'll pray for you anyway

[buckman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Lack of evolving(no pun intended) with the times. Society's mentality and science have changed the way people think. Church attendance is down significantly. Last study I saw showed fewer than half self-proclaimed Catholics had been to church recently. I don't know a single person under 50 years old that attends church even 2x/month.

Churches aren't struggling for money solely because of the diddling priests.

I agree with some of this but I know alot of people under 50 that attend. One good sign..drive by St Mary's on CCD class nights. It's a traffic jamb