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.

  • Chozo@fedia.io
    42·
    6 days ago

    No, we don’t want to tax them. Remember “no taxation without representation”. Taxing them means allowing their influence in government.

    Not to say that they aren’t already influencing our government, but taxing them just opens up the floodgates for it to be done on an official level.

    • futatorius@lemm.ee
      1·
      2 days ago

      Remember “no taxation without representation”.

      I do, it referred to people deprived of a vote.

      Houses are taxed. There is no branch of government representing houses.

    • Drusas@fedia.io
      13·
      6 days ago

      That’s the point. They are influencing the government by picking political sides, which officially disqualifies them from tax exempt status but that’s something that’s never been enforced.

    • asdfasdfasdf@lemmy.world
      1·
      5 days ago

      We tax businesses. We shouldn’t be allowing businesses or churches to influence government. I believe “no taxation without representation” is meant only to be applied to people.