I listened to a lecture the other night exploring various hypotheses for why the early Christian church took off and gained so many converts so (relatively) quickly. Among very many interesting ideas was the concept that Christian churches in the 3rd through 5th centuries were vibrant centers of community in a society that lacked similar institutions.

Sure, pagans had worship rituals that sometimes included bringing people together, but they didn't practice regular community comings-together like the Christians, who often met in one another's homes at least weekly.

Nobody thinks this completely explains Christianity's rapid success, but scholars pretty much agree that it was an important piece of the puzzle.

As an ex-Christian, I get it. The warmth and solidarity of regular church socializing are compelling reasons to be part of a church. Everything else aside.

If I weren't gay and raised in very homophobic churches, I might well have remained a church member, even if I privately rejected a lot of doctrines or beliefs.

I had to leave. It was either that or the closet, and so the decision wasn't even close for me.

But I do miss the tight community of church life, and I very much wish that we more liberal people in the United States had something like that. I miss it.