Reply #16: “the church is about the only social outlet there is.”

[ironbark]

YES! Precisely!

And if we set out to establish an alternative what could we offer?

Music hall?, Bar? Sports Club? Association?....?

Most alternatives are either age specific, needs specific,for singles, able bodied or they cost money.

For vast-vast numbers of people it is as you say- “the church is about the only social outlet there is”…and at church the most primal needs of >community< and >belonging< are met.

“…good place for networking for their business/job, because all their family members go”

YES!
Add to that list an infinite number of other opportunities and needs met-
Looking for a sober partner in a drug free environment.
Aged and infirm and just looking for conversation.
Disfigured or disabled and looking for an accepting environment that isn’t focused on looking cool and beautiful.
Adolescent from dysfunctional background needing mentoring and role modelling.
The opportunity to engage in meaningful service, social justice and charity.

The churches are a One Stop shop for a whole host of basic human needs.

And in some churches people will put up with all kinds of loopy theology because they are getting these primal communal needs met. It aint rocket science and I don’t understand the endless prove/disprove god arguments that go on >AS IF< that was the key to why people embrace religion.

If anyone wants to see religion diminish or vanish they had best come up with a better multi purpose communal environment.
Haven't seen one named, identified or proposed yet.