"When God Left the Building" a documentary on the decrease in church attendance in America.

Courtesy of the film's website:  

A pervasive part of the American fabric is fraying and decaying before our eyes. THE CHURCH IS WITHERING. 

Though the vast majority (77%) of Americans identify themselves as Christians, they have largely stopped attending church. LESS THAN 20% OF THE POPULATION now makes it to church in a typical week. Some 4000 churches are closing every year. It’s a major and unprecedented social upheaval. 

The film follows a church that has seen its attendance plunge from 900 to 40. In addition to external cultural factors that affect all churches, this church is disintegrating from the inside from a variety of human storms. A pastor who doesn’t know who or what God is. Fights over petty things. A faction of angry ex-members that devises a plan to take over the church. 

Throughout the story, cameras also visit other dying churches—as well as innovative new forms of church that are thriving. These range from a ministry in a Pennsylvania pub to an outreach in Los Angeles that brings joy to skid-row moms. 

By the end of the film, viewers will EXPERIENCE HOPE and a refreshing glimpse into how faith may be pursued in the future.

As you may have noticed this is not an anti-religion documentary but really one exploring the reasons behind the decrease in church attendance and suggesting that perhaps there needs to be a new paradigm created to meet the needs of today's believer. 

You may be surprised to learn that I have nothing against that idea.

I actually have nothing against people embracing ancient superstitions so long as they do not bleed into the political spectrum, undermine science, or negatively impact our education system.

After all people believe in all kinds of things, like Tarot card reading, horoscopes, feng shui, and all kinds of silly things. The only time that I find that offensive is if they try to push their superstitious nonsense onto others.

That is essentially why I am not at all sad to see that church attendance is dramatically down these days. 

While I am perfectly fine with individuals believing in nonsense, I am not at all comfortable with large groups who believe that nonsense and then feel it is their duty to convince others to believe it as well.