Discussion Question

• This week’s prompt is: (1) to read the attached article in pdf and (2) to click on this link and this one as well for material to pull from when responding to the question below. Reply to the post based on the content and your own opinions on the emerging trends surrounding churches, faith, and the economy. Include material from the other two posts (“11-Year Old Went to Heaven” and “Moral Relativism and the Red Balloon”) where possible and appropriate. This latter step is not required but will certainly add value.
• 4Discussion Question: Given that the articles you read for this week discuss the fact that the number of Americans not affiliated with any religion is on the rise (including a third of Americans under the age of 30), do you believe that the approach many churches are taking to address this trend is effective/appropriate? What about the popularity of – paradoxically – atheism as its own religion? Consider also the recurring issue of taking “God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance and, as discussed in the third article, “the moral reading of the constitution.” Additionally, if you feel comfortable discussing it, do you fall into these categories, and would these approaches appeal to you? Most importantly, how do you think this trend of “cafes and theaters” captures the essence of the Humanities as we have explained it in this course? Cite Janaro for support. As always, use specific quotes and references, and feel free to include or post outside resources and personal anecdotes.

Building congregations is the article

https://www.salon.com/2013/09/22/atheism_starts_it… is the first link

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2013… is the 2nd link

I only need two paragraphs, this is a discussion question so I do not need a works cited page