I recently drove past a rural church and read their marquee:

“Members only. Trespassers will be baptized!”

The quasi-harmless message of active recruitment into the faith disturbs me. Let me explain. The fact that the congregation is actively recruiting does not actually bother me in the least. Religions throughout time have survived by spreading their faith by different means. The message that disturbs me is that the church is saying, “You’re welcome to come in, but if you do, we’ve got you.” If I were in the market for a new religion, I would not enter through their doors. I’m imagining a trap door hidden below a gaudy mat in the vestibule next to a coffee pot leading to a vat of “holy” water. Ok, that’s a bit extreme, I admit. Instead, why not send a more welcoming message that says, “Come by, check us out. If you like us, hang around.” This way, people wouldn’t feel pressured to join their membership rosters just by visiting. Granted, if this approach were taken, some religious gathering spots may begin to resemble retail outlets instead — flashing lights, soothing music, comfortable pews, etc. all vying for fresh meat and wallets.

Is it any wonder why attendance in many organized religions has slumped in the last decade? Continuing into the future beating Fire and Brimstone in Hell ((Thomas Vincent)) into the heads of today’s population will drive them away in droves. With so many other belief systems existing, it’s simply a matter of time before such religions will become the lonely minority in this country.

ethan

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