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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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8

Holy Hell: Churches Squeezed by Economy

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(Newser) – The hallelujahs are strained in US churches these days as donations plunge at the same time demand for aid is skyrocketing, reports the Wall Street Journal. Congregations across the nation are slashing budgets and even laying off staff, including pastors. Churches and synagogues usually weather downturns well, but not this time. "There has been significant tightening of budgets," said Rabbi Elliott Kleinman, spokesman for the Union for Reform Judaism, which represents some 900 congregations. "People have less money to give."

At the same time, more people are desperate for help, both spiritual and financial. "It's no longer just the single mom who needs grocery money coming in for help," said a board member of the Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Church in Carrollton, Texas. "We are now seeing couples with $400,000 homes who need help with a big loan payment."

Church members are asking for more help than ever, both spiritual and financial, just as donations are dropping.
Church members are asking for more help than ever, both spiritual and financial, just as donations are dropping.   (©khrawlings)
Things are tough all over.
Things are tough all over.   (©Orin Optiglot)
Congregations across the nation are being forced to slash budgets just as the faithful plead for more help.
Congregations across the nation are being forced to slash budgets just as the faithful plead for more help.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
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8 comments
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Derni
Aug 11, 09 8:16 AM CDT
Some churches have used money for legal costs-other churches forgot to save for hard times-My Answer-if you don't need the community and social aspect of relgion then pray yourself and safe on gas and on the donation. Reply
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schmidtkoff
Aug 11, 09 9:17 AM CDT
if one happens to own a $400,000. home then one might want to consider downsizing a bit. Reply
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wwwonderer
Aug 11, 09 11:12 AM CDT
No!! Then you INSULT God by not accepting 'his blessing'. God WANTS you to have that $400K house. Apparently This heaven, with all of God's INFINITE love, is not enough for those that believe to be happy -and God KNOWS this- so a few gestures to insure happiness on Earth is how God operates.
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Spudsy
Aug 12, 09 1:32 PM CDT
Some of the mega-churches near me might be guilty of the same sin those homeowners committed.
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ruserious
Aug 11, 09 10:04 AM CDT
Wait, is this saying that people go to churches for financial assistance? Do churches hand out money to people? I've never heard of this. Reply
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