No faith in future of our churches

SIR, – Recent reports (Press and Journal, October 23) on church closures in Shetland prompted a few thoughts.

For many communities – small ones especially – the facilities of local churches and red telephone boxes have at least two things in common: very few people now use them – but many react strongly if faced with their removal. Both of these facilities, it would seem, are nowadays little visited or valued except when in particular circumstances when nothing else will do.

Given the parlous financial state of the Church of Scotland, shortage of ministers, demographic trends and the gross under-utilisation of buildings, it is hardly surprising that the denomination is considering a hefty round of closures. The Church might invoke the challenge: “Use it or lose it.”

That would however run contrary to the original vision of the national church to establish “a church in every parish”.

But regarding these current plans, the denomination cannot and should not be held totally responsible.

We are living in an increasingly secular world which has largely turned its back on Christianity – or on organised religion at least. It would seem that for many the only perceived utility of a church and its convenient facilities is for “hatches, matches and despatches”.

So why continue with the charade of religious marriage services? Regarding burials, any mature citizen can lead a funeral service – someone of faith or no faith in any local hall. While mobile phones have rendered the red telephone boxes obsolete, secular society is doing the same for our church buildings. The

former are now being used as greenhouses or mini libraries. Many of the latter will soon serve merely as visible reminders of an historical faith.