[Magdalen] Trouble for Twin Towers.

[Jim Guthrie]

From: Judy Fleener

>The same thing is happening in Muskegon.  One RC church has been torn down
>and another on the way.  There were 4 ethnic churches in walking distance

It should be noted that most of the RC Churches being closed/consolidated around 
the country have far more members (and larger ASA) than what we call a thriving 
Episcopal Church. But as the RC Bishops note, their ASA is about 15%of total 
claimed membership which indicates either their total membership figures are 
phony or that adherents are disinterested in church these days.

But it's also in the context of organized religion losing members everywhere and 
pretty much across the board (though some sheep-stealing inflates some numbers). 
We're fast approaching European levels of religious participation in the United 
States.

Of course, unlike many European countries, we tend to not use tax money to 
directly subsidize buildings/churches, though we do it in a back door way with 
tax exemptions and deductions for "charitable giving" which in many churches is 
building upkeep and clergy compensation.

But it is quite rational to demolish church buildings and sell the land and 
maybe give the money to the poor  (to follow Jesus?) than to give in to 
nostalgia for those "bare ruined choirs."

Cheers,
Jim Guthrie

Cheers,
Jim Guthrie.