As we are looking at two of our larger religions this week, I think it would be interesting to look at how Christianity and Judaism are evolving in modern times.
This week I would like you to read this article suggesting that perhaps it is time for Synagogues to follow the current working model of the Mega-Church.
What are your thoughts on the Jewish faith following the model which seems to work so well for so many?
https://forward.com/opinion/213298/it-s-time-for-the-jewish-megachurch/Links to an external site.
What are your thoughts on how these megachurches are working?
Do they retain the same basic tenets and faiths of the smaller, more local parishes?
Here is an example of one I stumbled across many years ago and saw how people could be drawn to the message as well as the theatricality of the sermon.
https://youtu.be/UNcu6g7sXPshttps://youtu.be/UNcu6g7sXPs
Recognizing Your Value – Joel Osteen
How do you feel about messages presented this way?
Should religious institutions be maintained as a “Sunday only and only if you stop on by” service?
Or should you be able to pull up some inspiration off YouTube on a Thursday at 2 am if you would rather?
And we also need to look into concerns over whether these institutions really ARE helping the people or are they simply money-making opportunities. The video by John Oliver is obviously satire, so take what he says in that vein… there certainly are some mega-churches out there who do a lot of good, but there are some pretty valid points for you to discuss here as well. (Please be aware this video contains some language you might find offensive and is intended for mature audiences.)
https://youtu.be/7y1xJAVZxXghttps://youtu.be/7y1xJAVZxXg
Televangelists: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) Published on Aug 16, 2015
What are your thoughts on some of the abuses these churches are doing in the name of “helping” their parishioners?
Do you consider these people to really represent Christianity?
Do they do more good or more harm?
Do you feel these are the norm or the exception?
This last one is a bit long and not in English, so I do not expect you to listen to the whole message, but there certainly is much we can say about His Holiness taking to YouTube and #popefrancis (He even has channels in different languages!)
His Holiness Pope Francis at TED2017. Why the only future worth building includes everyone.
Coolest Pope or losing the message?
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