The Social Significance of the Megachurch
A megachurch refers to a church that has two thousand or more worshippers in a normal weekend attendance. In the United States, there are more than one thousand three hundred megachurches. Among these churches, approximately fifty of them record an attendance of ten to forty seven thousand members.
It is worth pointing out that while three thousand individual Catholic churches have two thousand or more members during a normal Sunday Mass, they are included in the megachurch movement (Johnstone 60). In Protestant Christianity, megachurches are regarded as an extremely vital development. In the US, these congregations have increased four times in the previous twenty years.
Megachurches have greatly impacted on the American society. In addition to the normal church services, members receive a wide array of secular amenities. These include recreational services, sports, social care and health, and education. The demographic profile of the megachurches is composed of middle- class, white households (Radcliffe-Brown 39). Moreover, these churches are founded in extensive urban borders of cities that are growing rapidly.
In my opinion, megachurches are diverting Christians to secular public practices. Moreover, the additional services provide exurban people with a personalized civic setting, thereby the opportunity to mingle within a standardized and secure setting. Another interesting quote is that megachurches are an elite ethical community that enhances segregation patterns. In addition, they are slowly contributing to withdrawal and secession processes.
Not only have megachurches impacted on social, but also political life. They are actively involved in campaigns and presidential elections in regard to conservative social concerns. This has made them vital political actors. Urban places contain complete subsections, which are characterised by autonomous growth. My take is that the self- contained nodes are connected by telecommunication and highway systems. However, it is sad to note that these sites are isolated from adjacent sites (Johnstone 6).
It is worth noting that fortification and privatization has increased greatly in urban places. My opinion is that these are the moves of affluent groups to isolate themselves physically from the public. Moreover, they also aim at separating from desperate social groups. These are composed of the destitute, homeless, poor, and desperate. Therefore, the affluent groups protect themselves from moral confusion that might result from their interaction with minority groups.
Megachurches encourage volunteerism, contributions, and frequent attendance (Radcliffe-Brown 43). It is worth pointing out that megachurches are no longer worship places. They are multi- purpose places including malls, resorts, town squares, and extended families. They use proficient corporate practices and deal with multi- million budgets. Although, megachurches are isolated physically, they are exceptionally universally connected.
The Future of Religion in America
It is worth noting that the USA is an exceptionally religious nation. According to a political scientist, Robert Putman, an average American is by a large extent more religious compared to an average Iranian. For the previous fifty years, Americans have become extremely polarized in politics and religion. Before, there was no link between how often an individual attended church services, and their political vote. However, this is no longer the case (Johnstone 106). Currently, the bond between politics and religion is growing stronger each day.
The religious communities in America contribute greatly to the nation’s democracy. However, exceptionally high doses of religion end up intoxicating civic life (Radcliffe-Brown 34). Numerous countries admit that US is a diverse, religiously committed, and amazingly tolerant.
There has been an escalation in people’s interactions across religious confines, which is a silent undercurrent. In my opinion, these interactions also include intermarriages, which go beyond the contemporary religious demarcations. In addition, people have a high likelihood of shifting from one religion to another, which was uncommon several years ago. My take is that religious shifts will increase more in future.
Individuals from various religious backgrounds were overwhelmed when they were permitted voice their opinion in the public sphere. However, the young people were not impressed when politics and religion merged in the 1980s. During this period, many people withdrew from the organized religions. I approximate that five percent of the entire population in America belong to no religion (Johnstone 56).
Furthermore, there are thirty percent youths who are not attached to any religion. My take is that this number will increase greatly in future. According to these youths, they belong to God as opposed to a recognizable religion. I think that the level of religiosity in America will reduce greatly in future. This is attributable to the fact that since the young generation has no concern for religion; this habit will be carried on into their adulthood. In addition, younger generations will copy this habit.
Americans youths are arguing that if religion is all about homophobia and conservative politics, then they have nothing to do with it. A good quote to note is that a transformation of religion in America will impact on the social arena, individual morality, and public life. There, there is a need for private and public sectors to think of the future impacts of changes on religion. Consequently, they will be able to react with a vivid vision and creativity.
Works Cited
Johnstone, Ronald. Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion. New York: Prentice Hall, 2004. Print.
Radcliffe-Brown, Alfred R. “Religion and society.” The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland 75.1/2 (1945): 33-43. Print.