Communion

[maggiebee]

Just home from our Communion Service. Found it very uplifting and it was great to have visitors from Zimbabwe with us. They sang unaccompanied and their voices were just wonderful. I'm always amazed that when some churches in the UK struggle, the churches in many African countries have congregations in the high hundreds.

[mikey4444]

Maggie....I understand that while "ordinary" Protestant churches are near empty these day, the newer "happy-clappy" ones are getting more popular.

Its a bit like Pubs in my locale. They are shutting up all the time, but the Wetherspoons are packing them in like sardines !

Give the people what they want and they will beat a path to your door !

By the way, all the Catholics Churches round my way have never had it so good, what with all the Polish that we now have locally !

[marval]

I agree with mikey, the African churches tend to be more happy-clappy. Churches over here are more traditional, nothing wrong with that. I was brought up going to church, I loved singing the hymns with a more cheerful tune. It is a lovely listening to an African choir, they sing so well without music. I am glad you found it uplifting.

[naomi24]

//I'm always amazed that when some churches in the UK struggle, the churches in many African countries have congregations in the high hundreds. //

People from less educated areas of the world are often more religious.

[mikey4444]

Naomi...America has hundeds of millions of highly educated citizens but many of them still think that the Grand Canyon was created, late on a Thursday afternoon, about 6000 years ago !

So I am not sure the connection to education and religious belief makes much in the way of sense.

[hc4361]

Some new churches have been built near me in the last few years - The Champions' Church; Revival Fires; Living Hope Church; Seventh Day Adventist... we are positively blessed with a choice of Christian worship here in Dudley.

[Mamyalynne]

Often full houses at most Masses on Sundays in the RC Churches when I go and on special days as Maggie mentioned either get there early or be prepared to stand.

[mikey4444]

mamy...my brother goes to our local Catholic Church and he has to get there early, to get a seat !

[hc4361]

I've just discovered that the Champions' Church has on average 600 worshippers every Sunday and they provide 5 free bus services to help people in the borough get there. Just as well, as they only have parking for 120 vehicles.

[mikey4444]

HC...I am sure the Pubs would be full too, if they supplied free buses !

[hc4361]

Are you implying that people are willing to sit through a 2 hour service for the sake of a free bus ride?

[mikey4444]

HC...no, not really. I was just trying to keep the debate on the light side, thats all !

[Mamyalynne]

Gosh where do they have 2 hour services these days , even the Catholic Mass in under an hour now barring Requiems.

[mikey4444]

The last Catholic service I went to was a Requiem Mass for my Aunty, and it went on for ages. But she would have loved it !

[naomi24]

Mikey, //So I am not sure the connection to education and religious belief makes much in the way of sense.//

It does.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Importance_of_religion_by_country

[marval]

They have worship in my local community centre, they seem to be having a joyful time. I think their services go on for two hours.

[mikey4444]

naomi...so why are here so many "born-again" Christians, Scientologists, JW's, Mormons, and countess other loony-tunes in America, where there is universal education, if you are saying that religion is more popular in uneducated countries ?

[naomi24]

I'm not saying it - statistics are saying it. Look at the list.

[mikey4444]

So why does America buck the trend then Naomi ?

You will admit, I take it, that the USA is full of highly educated people ?

Look at your link....North America, principally the USA, is coloured in exactly the same shade of light green as all the other places on the map. The link between religion and education isn't present there. And that is all I am saying.

You are trying to make a very complicated issue seem very simple, and it is far from that.

[ummmm]

Mikey....have you ever to been to mass in Ireland?

[mikey4444]

Yes Ummm...well... Northern Ireland at least. All my fathers side of the family comes from County Down. Funerals are the only reason I visit there now I'm afraid. Strikingly beautiful scenery and very friendly people.

But a terrible beauty, as someone once said.