I was  listening to a talk show on my favorite AM station, 700 WLW, and a caller said that gay marriages are just a plot to eliminate churches. He claims that if a church refuses to marry a gay couple, then that couple would in turn sue the church. And with all the pursuing lawsuits, it would bankrupt the churches. Nice theory, but it got me wondering about other scenarios:What if every church in America went bankrupt?

• Would the crime rate sky rocket? I seriously doubt the people I've met during my 'Search for the Holy Male' crusade in church would turn their lives over to crime just because they didn't have a place to hang out twice a year. (Christmas and Easter Sunday) I will venture to say the common criminal is not found in the churches, but on the streets surrounding the churches.
• What would happen to the churches and the land they occupy? The structures could be used for new businesses that can financially contribute back into the local communities and provide jobs. Furthermore, for the first time in over 200 years, the Federal government could start collecting property taxes on the millions of acres that are currently tax exempt.
• What about all the billions of dollars in contributions given to the churches? Instead of the money going to the churches, which in turn use it in an attempt to keep Jesus and his story alive, that money could be used to purchase goods and services that would help stimulate the economy. It could be put into an IRA to help lift the burden of the tax payer when we get old and need to retire. It could be used to put a child through college. Hell, it could be used to purchase food and medicine to help starving, sick children all over the world.  Believe it or not, you don't need a church to be the middle man between your money and performing moral acts on other humans.
• What about the 'social services' churches provide? Again, you don't need a church to teach morality and give advice on common day problems. Instead of a minister, priest, clergy, etc... giving their opinions  on what The Holy Babble says one should do, say or act, you could convert the churches into counseling centers staffed with certified psychologists, therapists and trained professionals. The answer to a question one asks regarding abortion, divorce, suicide, etc... should never start out with, 'The Bible says...." . Real people with real problems need real answers, not hocus pocus parables. You wouldn't send someone with a broken leg to the church for treatment, so why would you seek treatment for a 'broken brain' in the church?
• Would Jesus go away? Probably over time, but not immediately. Or perhaps he would be replaced by a new savior. (guess who?)