Churches and Faith Communities as Third Places/ 3 of 5
Today, individualism and privatized forms of entertainment have diminished some of the social capital churches once enjoyed. This decline is exacerbated by the trend in the U.S. away from religious participation.
Catholic Chuch Example
Why have so many people left the Catholic Church?
There is rarely a simple answer to such a question, but reasons often include:
- Perceived hypocrisy, especially regarding the Church’s handling of the sexual abuse crisis
- Feeling or witnessing exclusion, particularly for those who are part of a marginalized group
- Sensing there are unconquerable intellectual and/or theological differences one has with the church
- Experiencing a painful personal crisis that causes one to question God’s goodness or existence
- Busyness that leaves no apparent room for involvement
Why do people decide to give church a chance—or, another chance?
Again, there can be a multiplicity of reasons, some possibilities include:
- Searching for meaning and purpose
- Seeking a moral framework for one’s life
- Looking for a place to belong, form genuine bonds, and be part of a caring community
- Hoping to find interior peace
- Seeking personal growth