Mega-Churches Causing Problems

Those massive churches that attract hundreds, if not thousands, of parishioners can be very popular among the religious - but not always so popular among neighbors. These churches also draw in a lot of traffic, noise, congestion, and they overwhelm the rural or residential areas in which they locate. As a consequence, not everyone wants them around.

The Washington Post reported a couple of years ago:

As churches have changed from corner parishes to mega structures with theater-size sanctuaries, sprawling parking lots and busy schools, so, too, have attitudes about them. Once considered unquestioned assets to communities, churches seeking rural acreage are now the subjects of hot debate. Do they provide a neighborhood with good deeds and practical services such as day care, or do they do more harm than good by paving over green space and increasing traffic, like any other sizable development?

Worship centers often gain access to rural areas where other development proposals fail because they don't face the same obstacles. Places of worship, no matter their size, are allowed anywhere in Montgomery. The county also has a policy of extending water and sewer service to churches, making it far easier for them to locate in rural areas and leading many opponents of development to worry that builders will piggyback on that critical infrastructure.

Traditionally, most communities and local governments have exhibited a great deal of good will towards churches and other religious projects. It may be, however, that many groups are taking advantage of that good will and abusing their privileged position.

Local governments are fighting back by requiring churches to abide by the same standards as everyone else; this, in turn, is causing them to complain that their religious freedoms are violated. But since when is acting like a good neighbor an infringement on religious freedom?

 

Read More:

• Religious Right
• Religious Right News
• Christian Privilege
• Christian Supremacy