As I began my ride I passed by three ex churches, and decided to make the theme today. the closed churches locally. In the surrounding towns most of the churches, of all denominations, are rapidly closing their doors. Some are in prime locations and are scheduled to be converted to secular uses. Some are in impoverished areas and are wasting away.
There are very few church affiliated schools and other indoctrinating techniques left in many parts of the country. The decline in church membership and religious affiliation has followed. Around here, the churches that are left have very small memberships, who are for the most part, in their 70’s and 80’s. The choice of nearly 5000 gods, makes everyone an atheist who doesn’t believe in the one true god that someone else believes. The younger generation has figured out that religion is not necessary to lead a good life and they realized that churches have become political and fundraising institutions, that more and more of the under 50 crowd want nothing to do with.
Years ago Sunday morning was an easy overtime day for the local police force who got extra duty directing traffic around the many churches in the area. Now, most of the churches have been relegated to gypsy status in small storefronts and run by some guy with a mail order minister title.
The best transition I have seen is outside of Washington DC in Brunswick, MD. called, Beans in the Belfry.
A Midnight Rider 
A brilliant reuse of a church: a homeless shelter. In Dublin, my husband and I stayed in renovated church turned into a hostel. The dining room was in the main seating area of church, and because it was a warm day, both huge doors were open. It was an amazing place.
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