He’s right that beyond any religious importance the local church was central to community health.
It was where people would come together to help neighbors in need, friendships were forged, and couples would meet for the first time.
Without these local networks Americans have turned to big tech and government.
It was where people would come together to help neighbors in need, friendships were forged, and couples would meet for the first time.
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You could meet and do all these things at other social clubs. You could even do all the above mentioned things by meeting at local pubs.
I don’t see churches today anywhere near what they once were as you described. They’re mostly entertainment centers with A Pastor possibly giving a short Sermon.... Rather like soup kitchens where hungry folks go and have to endure a sermon before they eat.