Disclaimer: I am not familiar with Emma Green or TheAtlantic.com organization but thought there were some good points in this article that speak to Cursillistas.

Some interesting points:

“…the U.S. is still overwhelmingly religious, despite years of predictions about religion’s demise.”

This is good, despite all we hear to the contrary from the media today.  And it seems to match what we empirically know by watching the world around us.

“… people who report going to worship services less frequently now than they used to overwhelmingly say the logistics of getting there are the biggest obstacle.”

“Roughly 51 percent of Americans say they go to church or another worship service somewhere between once a month and multiple times per week, while 49 percent said they go rarely or never.”

To me, these are important points for the Cursillo movement.  I use myself as an example. Before Cursillo, I went to church because I “had” to.  If something more important came up or I was tired or whatever the logistical excuse was, I was likely to skip going to church.  After Cursillo, I go to church because I “want” to.  I am more involved in the parish community and make time to go to services.  I’m sure many of you have this same experience. What if we could have that same effect on that 49% by bringing them to Christ?  This is the essence of what the Cursillo movement is all about.

“Fifty or 60 years ago, churches, in particular, were a center of social and cultural life in America. For many people, that’s still the case, but the survey suggests that many people may be creating their social lives outside of a religious context…”

Probably a true statement.  There are many, many things competing for our attention today.  Social events, our children’s activities, work, other non-church related obligations all compete for our attention.  I feel like making a Cursillo can help bring Church back towards the center of our social lives.

“Belief brings people to worship, it seems, while logistics keep people way.”