All over the UK churches are closing and mosques opening. There seems to be a complete lack of dynamism within the clergy. No firebrands of the Knox, Luther or Calvin status ever appear. The ministers and priests seem quite happy with their lots and content to receive their stipends while churches disappear. They meld with the establishment and do nothing to fight the cause.
heavenlyhaggis
2006-08-20 15:08:36 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is nothing such as a church, the people are the church. The clergy also comes from within the people. The people have become selfish, egoistic, materialistic and morally courrupt. The churches are closing because no one wants to go there any longer I am talking of the Protestant curches like the Anglican Church.
The clergy have become too comfortable. Many have become like civil servants. Many lead lives which do not set an example. I know of Anglican churchmen who are more concerned about the flower beds in their gardens than about the lonley, depressed and dying who live just 100 yards down the road.
You say that Mosques are opening, of course they will ! Brotherhood and community life are essential in Islam. Family life and values are one of the foundations of Islam. Charity is one of the pillars of Islam. Respect for the elderly is there to be seen in Islamic societies. How the west suffers from indifference!!
2006-08-20 23:36:29 · answer #1 · answered by Max K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Any religion which has scope for updating and modernization only survives and others parish in the flux of time. That way the Christianity is more accommodative to changes and reforms as compared with its two cousins: the Judaism and the Islam. It was due to the same reason there are great theocratic scholars like St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Martin Luther, Calvin etc. etc. The Reformist Movement that gave birth to the Protestants is a milestone in the growth and survival of the Christian Church which could have been suffocated under the corruptive conservatism of the Catholic Church. These days no more reformists are found because the secular State has personified the individual in society more than the dogmatic Church In the western world. The new converts among Indian Christians are more Christians than Pope himself, because Christianity gives them bread and succor.
2006-08-20 22:27:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to ask you this here, but you don't have an email link listed.
By Protestant, are you referring to an actual Protestant faith or is that an umbrella title for other denominations, not of the Catholic faith, like Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.?
I cannot relate to the closure of multiple churches, but I can relate to enormous amount of mosques popping up everywhere. In the US there is an alleged separation of Church and State. Is it now that way in the UK as well? If not, isn't there anything the government can do as well as the clergy? If so, then how are the ministers and priests still receiving stippends if there is no congregation paying their tithing? Isn't that where they get their money?
Again, sorry to ask you to reveal more here. I'm really curious and interested in this.
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After some further thought about this, it seems to me, if this is actually happening, that it would be some cause for concern politically. History tells us that Muslims would invade other lands by building mosques among the temples and churches of other peoples. If the people were not willing to share their land with the Muslims and allow them to build their mosques, then the Muslims would move in by force.
Maybe I'm missing something deeper here, but this sounds rather familiar to what is happening in the world today.
2006-08-20 22:23:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God inspired men like Luther to question authority. Their service was an important step. When Heavenly Father calls some one to serve, they are given power and authority. Being called is not the same thing as calling yourself.
Paul was a tent maker. No one paid him to go to Macedonia. The Apostles traveled without script or purse. If a man is called of God he can serve a congregation without pay. Every one in the church needs a calling. Leadership grows by doing.
2006-08-21 01:14:26 · answer #4 · answered by Woody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
" What kind of heroes are here for us now? Stone leaders, stone preachers, minnows on flow..." From "The Old Boys" by that wonderful band Runrig.
Several years ago I went to a meeting led by two men from South America somewhere. It was about 6 years ago, so I can't remember where they were from, but I do remember that they said, "The British church is like a sleeping lion." God told them this before they knew the lion is our national symbol. (I'm afraid though as a fan of Mary Queen of Scots, I don't like Knox too much. Still, at least you can say he wasn't "a minnow on the flow.")
2006-08-21 15:29:35 · answer #5 · answered by monkeywoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Churches are closing and Mosques are opening?
Is this suttle propaganda??
I realize that Churches are closing but I doubt Mosques are opening. People are sick to death of religion and being manipulated. We read this and we are supposed to have this Ah Ha experience and everyone is leaving the Christian church and joining the Muslims. Then I will to.
Do you honestly believe that is what is going to happen??
NO. They are just leaving religion. by the thousands. Both by the way. When only the Hezbollah leader is left he will say we are increaseing we won! Because I am still here.
Got to hand it to them they are positive people.
Can't discourage them.
2006-08-20 22:25:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are many dynamic leaders in protestant churches today. in springfield, mo. james river assembly of God is a mega-church with over 3000 members. sustaining a church that size demands dynamic leadership. my own church here in waynesville, mo. has over 400 members, and waynesville has only a few more people in the whole town than james river has in their church! i think the focus today is on building the church locally instead of storming the countryside as in Calvins day. i do agree with you that there are too many clergy content to leave well enough alone. hopefully young ministers coming up will be able to fire up the people of Jesus
2006-08-20 22:21:25 · answer #7 · answered by thekla o 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The main reason is that they do not believe in the Bible, and have not for nearly 100 years. All European churches just about are dead. In 50 years they will all be gone. Only Muslims will be left. When American evangelist go to Europe to preach,they are restricted by the churches as to what they can say. You might say that God has been censored in Europe. I don't see any hope for Europe. They have been enlightened.
2006-08-20 22:20:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Islam must be stopped and the church is crying out for strong leadership.
You're right, due to political correctness the leaders of the Christian church have disappeared up their own *rs*holes.
But when the backlash against Islam starts- and IT WILL- I have no doubt we see some good leaders emerge. Cometh the hour, cometh the man?
2006-08-20 22:22:17 · answer #9 · answered by Not Ecky Boy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look further - I believe that Hillsong is doing well, and Christian City Church is also gaining ground.
It could be that after some time, churches meld into society and it takes new, fresh ones to take hold of the banner and become the new radicals.
2006-08-20 22:16:04 · answer #10 · answered by Tish-a-licious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋