As some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the Quad-Cities, churches can be seen around almost every corner. They have open doors for any resident to go through and express their spirituality, and residents are accepting the invitation. People still are going to church and enjoying the services they find there, local clergymen say. Religion plays an important part in the lives of Quad-Cities residents. Meeting new people, finding counseling, becoming educated about the history present in the Bible, to feel one with God and being part of a fellowship are a few reasons people are attending church.
People find they can express their spirituality in many different ways.
They can participate in church and its programs, but can also express it more subtly by incorporating their spirtituality into their everyday activities. The Rev. Laurence Larson, of Trinity Episcopal Church in Rock Island, said that people sometimes only see the bad things that are being shown on televison, but people are serving God and doing good things, but keeping it secret. The Rev. Marvin Mottet, of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, believes that religion can make an impact on people's daily lives, and on society, if it is taken seriously. One of America's problems is that everyone is too individualistic, he said, and that more emphasis needs to be put on communities. New members to area churches are always welcome and appreciated, ministers say.