(2002-05-10) d

Mega Church as Mini Town. These churches are becoming Civic in a way unimaginable since the 13th century and its cathedral towns. No longer simply places to worship, they have become part resort, part Shopping Mall, part Extended Family and part town square (Third Place)... Tensions between Church And State were highlighted by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person Act, passed by Congress two years ago, which prevents government agencies, including local planning boards, from blocking church projects unless a compelling government interest is at stake. Why should a Religious Cult get a special deal? I wonder whether they pay Property Tax on that land? But I am in favor of all experiments in Voluntary Association-s...