[mattduke]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he sudden crush of worshipers packing the small evangelical Shelter Rock Church in Manhasset, New York - a Long Island town of yacht clubs and hedge fund managers - forced the pastor to set up an overflow room with closed-circuit TV and 100 folding chairs, which have been filled for six consecutive Sundays.

[Tyler_JC]

Hmm, didn't expect this one.

It's nice to see that people aren't abandoning hope.

[3aidlillahi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'H')mm, didn't expect this one.

It's nice to see that people aren't abandoning hope.

[Armageddon]

Aren't one hour per week 'Christians' great ? They break all God's commandments all week long and think sitting in a church for an hour justifies it. Reminds me of a script that says, " these people worship Me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed "

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cbxer55', '
')

[niknak]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Armageddon', 'A')ren't one hour per week 'Christians' great ? They break all God's commandments all week long and think sitting in a church for an hour justifies it. Reminds me of a script that says, " these people worship Me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed "

[TommyJefferson]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mattduke', 'A')s Economy Worsens, Churches Fill Up

[niknak]

No, fundies are lead by illuminati since 1993.

Jesus does not want us to nuke Iran.

Illuminati want us to nuke Iran.

Arabs have been their enemy for 1500 years, and they want to remove them and the J's/ best way is to set up a war between them right? and give them both nukes, right?

The right wing are nuts, they follow men who go against the Bible.

Calling a book that pleads for brotherly love and peace, and calling it delusion means you will have no peace, and the world will now be destroyed.

Very well, your wish will come true. have a nice day.

[Tyler_JC]

I don't think it's automatically a bad thing that people are turning to religion in hard times.

Would you rather have a bunch of angry nihilists robbing grocery stores and shooting at cops?

If people believe that God will punish them for committing crimes against their neighbors...they are less likely to do so.

Religion is often the glue that holds a community together.

Many churches offer charitable services that will be deeply in demand as governments are forced to cut back on welfare.

One of the reasons we don't see the kinds of rioting and mass hysteria in the US that is all too often present in weaker democracies is our religiosity. We have a fundamental belief in a higher power and in fairness. We believe that God, G_d or the gods is looking out for us in the big scheme of things.

That faith has an extremely important sedating effect on the masses. People in America are able to endure hardships that would lead to revolution in other countries.

Revolutions usually make things worse, not better.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cbxer55', '
')Gonna be a fun four years watching the obamantion completely lose control of the situation.

[Denny]

Our church has become quite packed at most Sunday masses. The hall now sports a big screen projector and you can see the altar just as well in the hall, by remote camera, as if you were in the church itself. Even collection baskets for the hall now.

A new parish has been started by the diocese and there are detailed plans for a new church just 1 kilometer away.