... Churches are losing their grip on a region where they could long set community standards with a pulpit-pounding sermon or, more subtly, a sideward glance toward someone walking into a liquor store.Nor, I sense, is this bit-by-bit dwindling limited to the Bible-Belt South. Everywhere, unless I am mistaken, there is a refocusing when it comes to spiritual life. The monolithic father with the upraised and upbraiding forefinger simply does not have the clout, the convincing-ness, the conclusive first or last word.
On the one hand, things fall apart.
On the other, perhaps,
Maybe less-committed from the organizational point of view is more-committed in a serious sense.Fuller, the religion professor, said the loss of influence isn't all bad for Southern churches. The idea of churches controlling Southern society is giving way to individuals searching for a deeper faith, he said.
PS. And as a bit of cut-the-bullshit evidence, the New York Daily News apparently actually ran this front page today:
 |
"Following the heinous December 2 attack that resulted in the deaths of 14 innocents in San Bernardino, CA, the New York Daily News ran a front-page story mocking GOP presidential hopefuls who prayed to God rather than calling for more gun control." |
As i understand it, 30% of gun sales in this nation do not require background checks and yet are legal. They insist that the crooks will always get guns. And i imagine the tommy gun used by baby faced Nelson was legally purchased by him at a gun store. Just as now, a criminal or nut job can legally buy at a gun show or from someone with a collectors permit and a Craigs List ad.
ReplyDeleteBut still, they will insist that the only way to counter a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. And somehow, closing that 30% package of loopholes would pry their legally bought weapons from their still warm hands. And somehow this 30% profit for gun manufacturers protects god and country, while our neighbors are mowed down by crooks and crazies. Somehow, our neighbors aren't loved by their god nor deserve the protection of law.
Putting drug addicts in jail and selling guns to the wrong people is supposed to please god and strengthen america. I don't want to seem judgmental, but i'm callin' STUPID on this.