It seems like every single time I pass a church now, there's a little sign in the front with some catchy line, like, 'Heaven is no trick, Hell is no treat.' Or, 'Lost? Directions within.' You get the idea... Anyway, I'm just wondering if this is desperation, because that's how it seems. On a side note, is there really a point in trying to sort of 'recruit' more followers, when faith is something from within, not taught?
2007-11-10 11:39:30 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those of you saying it's to welcome people, why not just put 'Welcome!' on the sign? Too straightforward?
2007-11-10 11:50:37 · update #1
The Competition for souls is getting tough. You know how much they get per soul? Lots of money to be made.
2007-11-10 11:46:20 · answer #1 · answered by gdc 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
What? It's okay for businesses to advertise but not Church's? Everybody has heard the commercial ending with the words "Delta is ready when you are" An airline can have a catch phrase but not a church? Why? Are you belittled or offended by their signs? What harm did it do? If a sign helps a person decide to go to church then the sign was successful. The sign would have helped a person find God and a place to worship. Hey-the sign got your attention didn't it? Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. A person isn't just born with faith. True faith may need to come from within. But, the reason for faith, Gods word, needs to be taught.
2007-11-10 12:02:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You show an understanding of the basic opposition against such things when you say: "is there really a point in trying to sort of 'recruit' more followers, when faith is something from within, not taught?" But please remember that although Faith is something that is internalized, Faith, Hope, and Charity are virtues that are, for lack of more appropriate diction, contagious. Celebrating and confirming these virtues in public is quite an invigorating experience. So "desperation" may be replaced with "yearning".
That being said, the Catholic Church is the earthly incarnation of the teachings of Christ, preserved through time by divine revelation. Humility, sorrow, confession, reconciliation, and penance form the foundations of what separates the Church from many other teachings. If you can see where I am going with this, you can see that this isse you have raised becomes quite verbose in its more complex and extended application.
2007-11-10 11:49:14 · answer #3 · answered by thisismattwade 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are absolutely right about faith, it is within and if one should actually read the gnostic gospels, those written by people who actually walked with Christ, they say the same thing. God and faith is within, but the church can`t make any money that way. And at one time there was only one church, since they commanded the largest army in the known world and killed everyone else off, they didn`t have to worry about competition. They can`t do that anymore so tent preachers came out of the woodwork and made millions. Now competition is pretty stiff so they have to advertise.
2007-11-10 11:49:18 · answer #4 · answered by bocasbeachbum 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't think churches should have to advertise if they allow the Holy Spirit to move the way He wants. Once the word gets out there are miracles taking place, the church will be full.
2007-11-10 11:46:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, once an idea catches on, it runs through the whole family and it takes a while for it to die down. The idea of a marquee in front of a church is absolutely ridiculous, but stuff happens.
2007-11-10 11:49:03 · answer #6 · answered by Poor Richard 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Good point. But, people that attend church often believe that it makes them happier etc...I think for the most part it's good intentions of trying to spread the good feelings.
2007-11-10 11:51:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's wrong with a little humour on a billboard? It makes me smile and my day better. Try brightening someone's day, maybe you'll find love. Or is it so cool to try and bring someone down by insulting them
2007-11-10 11:47:54 · answer #8 · answered by buhing513 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They have a product to sell, preferably for cold, hard cash, and like any other producer, they advertise. Interesting that you don't see those in front of mosques or synagogues or temples, though, isn't it? :-)
2007-11-10 11:47:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Churches advertise to get more people to come to their church. But you did a fine job of answering your own question.
2007-11-10 11:43:43 · answer #10 · answered by paula r 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋