Why is Church Attendance Dropping?

[Aquila]

I think church as it is done in the United States is a big Sunday Show. It's expensive, and so it is always needing money for things that don't really come back in any meaningful way to members. People also don't like being controlled without dialogue, conversation, and consideration of their life experiences. People want authenticity. People get tired of getting up early, dressing up, getting all the kids dressed up, rushing out of the house, and driving across town to... sit and listen to a sermon.

Also here's a biggie that no one has yet to believe me on...

Politics.

Christianity in the United States is married to political conservatism and the Republican Party. When it comes down to it... we've tailored our message to be one that almost makes being a political conservative required to be a good Christian.

The problem is... over half of the American public don't entirely agree with either political party. Most are conservative on some issues and liberal on others. People are suspicious of political parties and agendas. By being married with to the GOP... as it decreases in popularity, so will we. As Trump, or any other candidate the church appears to prop up, drops in popularity... so will the church. I see it everywhere. Since Evangelicals put Trump over the finish line in the election, a lot of people think church going Christians are either buffoons, closet racists, or are only blind loyalist lapdog drones for the GOP.

In the house churches I've attended, I've discovered quite a few political moderates and liberals. A few have even voiced that they became tired of feeling like unless they were Republican they weren't valued members or "good Christians". Most are left of center in their politics, and see themselves more as Independents. But a few identify Democrat.

If you don't believe me... just "pretend" to be a Democrat, or to support a liberal cause like universal healthcare, and watch the hate, venom, name calling, etc. pour down on you. Suddenly deeply spiritual men you've trusted will turn on you like a pack of wild dogs. Go ahead and even post something that sounds politically "liberal" on this forum... you'll be berated and brow beaten.

I used to go by my real name on internet forums. Apostolic Man was one of my favorites. I voiced my disappointment over President Bush on domestic policy. I felt that a change was needed and I came out in support of Sen. John Kerry. A few brothers from church evidently saw the post, or were told about it, and before I knew it I was being baited into arguments after church. They even tried to bait me into an argument at a men's prayer breakfast. I didn't deny my support for Kerry. I was called a "baby killer", a "Communist", a "Socialist", a "traitor", a "red-diaper-doper-baby" (whatever that is), and the list could go on. My Jeep was even keyed.

After being confronted and thinking I was going to be caught in a physical confrontation after choir practice one night, I decided to not go by my real name on Apostolic internet forums. I approached my pastor about it, and he actually acted amused and like he was almost proud of them for keying my car, threatening me, and harassing me. Now, I can take it. But if someone damages my property, I think they've gone too far. Of course I dropped it after I realized I was going to be ridiculed for pushing that it be addressed somehow. It wasn't worth the trouble.

That's what it can be like being a moderate or a liberal in our churches. That's what the Gospel of Rush Limbaugh has done to us.

Do you think a Democrat or political moderate to liberal will want anything to do with churches if that's what they have to contend with during the elections? Not to mention that every sermon has a quip or a blurb propping up the "conservative" candidate.

Honestly, I can't blame them for not wanting anything to do with churches. They are often just political action committees dressed up like churches. This is why I'm so passionate about not preaching politics from the pulpit. Church should be the one place people of any political persuasion could be able to come and just be a fellow Christian with Christian brothers and sisters. It should be a place where we hear only about Jesus and the ways of the Lord. Not political agendas, candidates, blah, blah, blah. All that stuff is of the world.

P.S.
It's not just Apostolic churches.