Anonymous wrote:where are you hearing that church-goers really want to reopen?

Yeah I haven't heard this either, listened to the radio and all the religious leaders (well most) were saying safety comes first, even the pope says "no" it's all a big push from Trump and then folks feel obligated to go along and his bible belt supporters. Do you see Melania, kids, Trump or Fox 5 at the Church, beach or boardwalk they know better!

As others said, it’s the most money. It’s of no use to a church that it’s members are alive if they’re not putting cash in the plate. They might as well be dead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money. People aren’t mailing in enough checks.

Our giving has ironically been the highest ever. We aren’t concerned about money at all.

Also, OP remember that “evangelicals” on TV are a whole different type of evangelical than the people in your community. 99% of us are not crazy!

Depends. Do you vote for Republicans? If so, you are crazy — or just deceived. Judges that will decide to ban abortion (following the fake bible translation changes in the 1970s) aren’t worth screwing children and the poor by cutting social safety nets and funneling all money to the top 0.01%. Jesus would be a Democrat today — Jesus was an SJW. Just read the sections of the Bible on Jesus condemning the rich and the pursuit of money, and warning his followers against the Pharisees and money changers. And Jesus advocating for giving money to the poor and to children.

If you vote for Democrats, then I agree. You’re not crazy and we support your church and community. And tell us the name of your church so we can go there!

5 reasons:

1. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
2. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
3. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
4. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
5. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Anonymous wrote:Money. People aren’t mailing in enough checks.

Our giving has ironically been the highest ever. We aren’t concerned about money at all.

Also, OP remember that “evangelicals” on TV are a whole different type of evangelical than the people in your community. 99% of us are not crazy!

where are you hearing that church-goers really want to reopen?

Money. People aren’t mailing in enough checks.

Science needs to take precedence over religion right now. Let’s not be magical thinkers.

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to understand this drive to re-open churches, despite the clear public health evidence that it endangers those who attend church and the people they come in contact with.

Why so desperate? Why can people not handle church via Zoom, or praying for a few weeks only with their immediate family?

Tithing.

The ability to persuade evangelicals to give the pastor money is reduced when not in person.

Plus the parishioners might learn about the world and drift away from the church without the regular ability to feed the churchgoers lies about how Xians always hated abortion ( the truth is that rightwing church leaders, led by Paul Weyrich the GOP strategist, changed the Bible translation in the 1970s to motivate evangelicals politically on abortion once Brown v Board had lost a little of its momentum.)

Anonymous wrote:We are not opening our building. We believe Trump saw a decline in his religious base and made a statement to boost support.

Meant to include a link to support the claim: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/22/trump-churches-evaneglicals-coronavirus-274842

We are not opening our building. We believe Trump saw a decline in his religious base and made a statement to boost support.

I belong to a different denomination and we are not opening. However, it's a really hard decision. We have people for whom the church community is their whole social outlet. We have people for whom Sunday school is a needed respite from their SN kids. The church is losing a ton of money, mostly from lost rental of the space to other groups and events, but also from a dip in contributions. The many service missions and fundraising efforts are mostly not happening.

There is also a fear people will drift away and stop being members. That's justified: I love my church but I haven't been to Zoom service in 3 weeks ....it's not the same and so easy to skip.

When I asked this question, I got two answers. One was that many people desire to be seen worshipping, that it is more of a performance than devotion. The other was that many people rely on a community of faith during distressing times and they want to be around that community.

I’d assume both things are true for different people. I think the political motivation is more the first thing than the second.

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to understand this drive to re-open churches, despite the clear public health evidence that it endangers those who attend church and the people they come in contact with.

Why so desperate? Why can people not handle church via Zoom, or praying for a few weeks only with their immediate family?

Usualy blusshit like Trump is not even a church goer nor Melania wherever she may be right now?????

I am trying to understand this drive to re-open churches, despite the clear public health evidence that it endangers those who attend church and the people they come in contact with.

Why so desperate? Why can people not handle church via Zoom, or praying for a few weeks only with their immediate family?