(TikTok screencap)

  • Gladaed@feddit.org
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    20 hours ago

    Is this an actual service or just an event provided by the church? Staging plays is a social task that can be serviced by a church.

    Very American and over the top, still.

    • freddydunningkruger@lemmy.world
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      16 hours ago

      A google image search could have answered your question of doubt.

      The visual is from the annual “Gift of Christmas” production at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas. It IS a church production.

      Despite being a 40-year tradition at the church, the $1 million Broadway-style production has faced backlash for its extravagance in recent years. In the past, church leaders have justified the performance by explaining the miracle of Jesus’ birth warrants an over-the-top celebration. They told the Dallas Morning News last year, “Jesus deserves our absolute best. … It’s unfortunate that the perennial American tradition of the church Christmas program now draws criticism.”

      • Gladaed@feddit.org
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        19 hours ago

        It’s an event space? That’s perfectly normal. E.g. small musical performance are held in old European churches. Such as some choir music(non religious)

        • Bakkoda@sh.itjust.works
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          19 hours ago

          These are the kind of churches where private jets are owned. It’s more of a venue issue than what they are doing with the venue. These are businesses in disguise as churches.

        • floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          18 hours ago

          How is a church an event space? It should be a holy site.

          small musical performance are held in old European churches

          Only in deconsecrated ones, i.e. church buildings that are not used as churches anymore. They do allow non-religious music at funerals (sometimes) but that’s about it

          • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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            17 hours ago

            I worked for a school district that contracted with a church as a space for professional development. It’s not uncommon.

            • floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              17 hours ago

              In the US? I’m not contesting that it’s uncommon there, just saying that it doesn’t seem very Christian. I’m not religious and I don’t care, if not for the hypocrisy.

              • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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                17 hours ago

                Yes - US. I was honestly uncomfortable and thought it seemed dicey to force teachers to be around all of the propaganda, but using public funds to push religion is the least unethical thing Epic Charter Schools does lol.

                • Gladaed@feddit.org
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                  12 hours ago

                  If ancient stained glass art is propaganda everything is. Even lack there of has meaning. It’s just a big old building with gold accustics you people. Don’t go to a Catholic one, I guess.

                  • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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                    9 hours ago

                    Shitty “non denominational” Protestant churches don’t have stained glass art. They have posters with political messages that should get their tax status revoked.

                    Actually really enjoyed all the times I’ve gone to a Catholic service - including one at the steps of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Also enjoyed a service at Westminister Abbey. Just not into the Christofascist messaging + shitty art and music that Oklahoma’s Protestant churches tend to have.

              • Gladaed@feddit.org
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                12 hours ago

                It is very Christian. Serving the community is a core tenet. Churches ain’t just for praying. They are intended to be a place for community. That’s for Europe, anyway.

    • MrShankles@reddthat.com
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      18 hours ago

      It’s an abundance that kinda goes against the word of Jesus? If they’re “combining” that level of stage with a place of worship, I imagine that they should also be holding events at almost the same frequency of an opera house, and at the same level (and for the benefit of society). But in my experience, it’s usually only used for preaching the word of Jesus… of which extravagance isn’t a tenet

      But that’s just my 2 cents and despite the particulars of the photo, the point of the meme remains (at least to me). Jesus didn’t preach about the “good of the Great Gatsby”; they just wanted people to love each other and be “good” to one another… not unwittenly flaunt their position of power