CNN now making hay over shootings in places reserved for worship...

[Dawggie]

Jebus, what a can of worms this opens up.

Guns again, as they have been the weapon of choice in all of the tragedies this past week.

And Why do the "mega-churches" seem to draw the really strange people that make the news through either sexual indiscretions, financial indiscretions and outright murder?

I believe there is something inherently wrong with these new social paradigms that draws so many con men and the fragile souls that may become imbalanced over the failures of their leaders?

[spirit of wine]

1. An Atheist Prayer

Lord, Protect Me From Your Followers

[Vanje]

2. ....hmmmm. Like malls?

[Dawggie]

4. Malls, Mega Churches....

Nearly the same thing in today's society. Lotsa people and no recognition of individuality?

[Vanje]

5. Both generate heaps of cash.

One is not taxed

[knitter4democracy]

3. It's easy to hide in a mega-church.

Think about it: most are bigger than many liberal arts college. Attendance on Sunday in the thousands. Someone comes looking for connection and winds up more disconnected than ever. That's why so many of them try to set up their organization to keep everyone connected (similar to a pyramid scheme, actually, with house groups, then groups of leaders, then groups of the leaders' leaders, etc.). Still, not everyone gets into the small groups and then feels isolated or deliberately hides in the midst of the numbers.

We talked about mega-churches in our senior colloquium class at our evangelical college. It was interesting to hear why people thought they were a good idea and why some of us were against them. Most liked the bright lights and loud music for worship, as well as a popular preacher and more charismatic practice, while the rest of us were wary of churches with stores and coffeeshops in them that tried to make money everywhere they could.