"not much dissent or discussion in the 'mega-churches' "

[progressoid]

I heard this interview on NPR today with a woman that went in search of the "red state" and "blue state" voters. She made an interesting observation of church goers.

"I don't sense much dissent or discussion among a lot of people that I meet at the mega-churches" She paraphrased these people, "It's a bit frowned upon to create separate groups outside the church...because we're all afraid we'll go off on different tangents and have lots of disagreements."

There you have it: Don't stray from the flock - Don't think for yourself - Whatever the church says is right.

Here's the link http://www.wamc.org/audio/51/511.ram
fast forward into it about 5 minutes.

[Az]

1. To borrow a Japanese saying

The nail that stands up gets hammered down.

I saw this same behaviour while in Japan. Very tight society. Any evidence of indipendent thought is frowned upon. Very peaceful society, but very repressed as well.

It tends to result in explosions in various directions artistically. You will see both highs and lows of culture expressed. Perversion and piety.

[progressoid]

2. Perversion and piety.

That pretty much sums up the right wing too.

[Kolesar]

3. Mega-church? Sounds like someone Godzilla would have to fight

a nod to Jon Stewart.