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Recession takes toll on religion

Associated Press
Posted: September 28, 2009.
Published: Sept . 28, 2009.

Print: msnbc

NEW YORK - Organized religion was already in trouble before the fall of 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances.

The Great Recession made things worse.

It’s further drained the financial resources of many congregations, seminaries and religious day schools. Some congregations have disappeared and schools have been closed. In areas hit hardest by the recession, worshippers have moved away to find jobs, leaving those who remain to minister to communities struggling with rising home foreclosures, unemployment and uncertainty.

Religion has a long history of drawing hope out of suffering, but there’s little good news emerging from the recession. Long after the economy improves, the changes made today will have a profound effect on how people practice their faith, where they turn for help in times of stress and how they pass their beliefs to their children.

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Comments (6)

“Americans for years have been moving away from belonging to a denomination and toward a general spirituality that may or may not involve regular churchgoing.”

this was the most significant paragraph in that article.

one must stand above organized religion and materialism to see the forest.

posted on September 29, 2009
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No researcher, one must stand above the forest to see the forest.

posted on September 29, 2009
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Religious institutions are essentially parasitic. Donations are probably largely comprised out of disposable income, which has dried up.

I have to admit feeling a sense of loss when I hear about the closing of schools. Even religiously oriented schools can represent an important choice for those living in districts where the public institutions are dangerous or ineffective.

On the other hand, if those choices did not exist for the relatively affluent, a greater effort might be initiated to improve the public institutions.

it appears as though Bernie Madoff profoundly harmed American Jewish education.

posted on September 30, 2009
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This is the best news I’ve heard all day. The more of these parasites that go under, the better.

posted on October 1, 2009
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I figured that a recession would increase religiousness like it does with divorce, domestic violence and other social ills. This list was the least profitable (prophitable), don’t expect churches to disappear from the USA soon., especially as the result of hard times.  The most successful secular societies were built up over time when the population had a greater sense of safety and security.

posted on October 1, 2009
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6. JEAN Nutson

Recession draining religious couffers?,where is their god?, i think this should make them wake up from their sleep and make them a bit rational i thought their god(s) had the power to do all things including supplying them with money ,why should they be broke ? may be he is dead.Maybe the recession should persist for a while to flush these noise makers out completely i hate them.

posted on October 3, 2009
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