What Should be Christianity's Strategic Plan
What leaders today are trying to discover is the cause. They, of course, want to "flatten the curve" of falling numbers. Writers in the Christian press and even readers here at this tiny blog have offered up ideas as to what is the cause and how to correct it. Causes in their minds include the young simply taking a break from church and will return later, bad experiences with a church member, not enough invitations to attend church, atheist propaganda, gay propaganda and so on.
What if the problem is something else? What if it simply is a "bad product?" The late comedian, George Carlin, gave a monolog that has been listened to and republished millions of times:
When it comes to bullshit, big-time, major league bullshit, you have to stand in awe of the all-time champion of false promises and exaggerated claims: religion. No contest. Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told. Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do...a special list of 10 things he does not want you to do....he has a special place, full of fire...where he will send you to live and suffer...till the end of time.
But he loves you. He loves you, and he needs money. He always needs money....There is no God. None, not one, never was.
If it is correct that much of the faith exodus is due to a bad product, I don't see how the trajectory can change. I've suggested the faith abandon any literal reading of the Bible, stress the fellowship aspect of attending church and helping poor people. I also realize that branches of the faith are so diverse and dislike each other's theology so much they will never join forces.
The liberal church down the street from me just finished a $1 million renovation of its tower. Shortly after that it announced a budget problem and cut the number of preachers from four to three. It said a "Strategic Plan" would be finished soon. My guess it the "Strategic Plan" for nearly all churches should be simply, "expect the worst."
Jon, “My guess [is] the "Strategic Plan" for nearly all churches should be simply, "expect the worst."
ReplyDeleteThe worst is there is absolutely no need of salvation. There never was.
I don't sense any "love" from Carlin, or the rest of you fellars for that matter. Pots and kettles.
ReplyDeletelittle helper August 3, 2020 at 8:42 AM, “I don't sense any "love" from Carlin, or the rest of you fellars for that matter.”
DeleteWhat? Agape is not uniquely theistic. Nor is it the sole possession of Christianity. In fact it has become quite rarified there. I guess the word also has a sense of a communal meal. In our case a food fight would likely occur. Still, little helper, this fellar wishes you well. The pot is calling the kettle black.
Ardy @ 4;54; I didn't say "Agape", nor did I mean Agape. I didn't make the first call.
Deletehelper "I don't sense any 'love' from Carlin, or the rest of you fellars for that matter."
ReplyDeleteYou are missing the point. Calin and us fellars did not first kill two million (in the Bible) and threaten millions more with hell AND THEN CLAIM WE LOVE YOU.
So then, you hate all the time, with, or without an excuse.
DeleteHelper "So then, you hate all the time, with, or without an excuse."
ReplyDeleteI see you are attacking atheists instead of defending God. That is understandable--who could defend a being that killed 2 million and claim he "loves" us. Best to keep on attacking atheists rather than defend you invisible friend.
Not attacking the atheists, just pointing out the obvious pot and kettle .
Deletetesting
ReplyDeletesometimes Google won't transmit my posts. so I always check it out begore I go to the trouble of writing anything.
Deletedon't you think that God and the two million bit has gotten shop worn ? maybe it's time to come up with a new and maybe even relevant rejoinder. just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteUnknown--Glad you can join us again.
Delete"maybe it's time to come up with a new...rejoinder."
I waiting for the explanation of a "loving God" who killed to two million people (and still loved them). Oh well, none of it happened anyway so I can understand no explanation.
I may post from time to time, depending on how I feel on any given day. God didn't kill 2 million people: people at the time thought that he did. BTW where did the 2M value come from?
DeleteUnknown "God didn't kill 2 million people: people at the time thought that he did."
DeleteYes, the stories were made up and there was no God or gods.
"where is the 2M value come from?"
It came from people who added up the number killed by God in Bible stories. Several people have done it and write about it on atheists sites. There is a more precise number but I don't remember what it is. Some of it is based on estimates of the population when these stories were supposed to have taken place. If you would yourself like to add up all those killed by God you might make a case to dispute 2M. Maybe it was 1 M or 3M. Whatever, God loves us.
Unknown--It was interesting to note you apparently had not heard the number 2 million killed by God. Is the two million number never taught in Catholic training? I know it is not taught in the evangelical instruction I received as a child. I never see it mentioned on Christian sites. Why would that be, wink, wink?
DeleteBut wait, there was the "new covenant" where God promised he would stop being a murderer. Where is the justice for those he already killed? (This is all quite fun.)
Helper -- You still are unable to defend your cruel God. I would call, "you hate all the time", an attack on atheists. I'm expecting you soon to defend your God for killing people and while claiming he "loves" you. Kind of funny what you are posting.
ReplyDeleteJon; where is my reply to your 2;49? Afraid to print?
DeleteIs this how you debate? If so, you your integrity is void.