ADVERTISEMENT

Religion has a very different place in people’s lives than barely half a century ago. It used to be commonplace to go to church every Sunday and barely a soul grumbled about it. But nowadays, more and more individuals are acting like Homer Simpson and wondering if it wouldn’t be better to sleep in and stay toasty in bed.

Well, one place that certainly knows how to get the attention of both the faithful and non-believers and make them laugh and think, is Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church in New York. It uses hilarious (and sometimes deep) signs to make comments about religion and the world.

We’ve collected some of the best signs from Wantagh Church, so upvote the ones you enjoyed reading and share ‘em with your pals if you think they’re in need of a chuckle or two. Have you seen any amusing church signs, dear Pandas? What do you think the positive aspects of faith are? Share your opinions with us down below.

In an interview with Bored Panda, Pastor Ron Garner of the Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church explained the inspiration for the witty signs and talked about the role of religion in the 21st century.

“Our church is located on a very busy street in Wantagh. I want to convey to the public that Christianity doesn't have to be staid. I also want to convey to passersby that I believe people who follow Jesus are not called to be apolitical but are called to take social justice issues seriously. We are a small congregation but we have new members who came because of our signs.”

More info: wmcc1845.com | Facebook | Instagram

#1

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Report

#2

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

Add photo comments
POST
joy-tang avatar
Blueplanet
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cannot upvote this more! If you believe in a religion, you can't just ignore it when you want to. i hope ppl that just "participate" in being a christian but dont actually belive it with all their heart can see this post

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who has ever read the bible knows this, yet there's so many so called Christians who have never even opened the book and yet they still spew hate in its name

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“I often wonder if religion does have a place in modern society,” mused Pastor Ron. “ I certainly believe that the church of our era has become irrelevant too many. I believe that the church has quit challenging people to live full lives and has become more interested in butts in pews.”

The Pastor continued: “Jesus was a radical Jewish rabbi who challenged followers to live in radically different ways. Although it may not increase Sunday morning attendance, as a Pastor I feel compelled to offer my congregation the challenge of radical discipleship. This requires a focus on issues of social justice that are often absent from the worship or mission of the church.”

#4

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Report

Add photo comments
POST
joy-tang avatar
Blueplanet
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true, too true. how much of a change it would be if everyone understood that

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to the Pastor, the Church has made itself ‘irrelevant’ in the West. “The US Church and all churches in the West have sacrificed a compelling message and mission for some vague promise of 'heaven' in some equally nebulous 'afterlife.' People aren't attracted to that message.  They want meaning in the 'here and now.' As far of changing this situation I don't have an answer. I can only do what I think provides relevance and a dedication to mission.”

Have you ever heard of a church having an Instagram page? I haven’t before. Well, Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church has one and it’s got 60 followers. I’m willing to bet the church would be even more well-known if it uploaded pictures of its signs to its IG account. A good way to spread some smiles, don’t you think?

The church, founded in 1889, describes itself as a place of worship for believers coming from different Christian denominations. “The Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church is an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ which renews and strengthens its commitment to advocate justice and equality for all people in all areas of society.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#7

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Holy Family were also Jewish, which Christians who are anti-Semitic conveniently forget

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Report

Add photo comments
POST
vilem-marak avatar
Wij
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

war is wages for profit of a few, so it depends for whom. peace - money made too slowly for those that hold power.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

While many of us think of the United States of America as a very religious country, the fact of the matter is, faith is declining in the US. According to The Guardian, Pew Research Center has shown that within the last decade there has been a 12 percent drop in people who identify themselves as Christians.

#10

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

#11

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

#12

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

It’s mostly younger Americans who are moving away from the faith of their forefathers. Furthermore, in the last decade, there has been a 17 percent increase in people who say they’re atheist, agnostic, or even “nothing in particular.” Now, around a quarter of all Americans fall into this category.

#13

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This Australian is so grateful to be Aussie, when I read about how the usa is. I got permanently injured at work, and sooo very grateful for disability pension and medicare.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Report

Fewer people are going to church as well. Those who attend church at least once or twice each month has fallen by 7 percent in the same time period. Attendance has fallen so much that nowadays more Americans say they attend church a few times each year than each month. Obviously, the reasons for this are very complex, but Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church seems to have the right approach to at least draw attention to religious matters.

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

Add photo comments
POST
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the downvotes of Hendra Lim's comment? The reflexion of the photographer is quite clear if you look at the sign, and it does look like a child.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church Signs

Ron Garner Report

Add photo comments
POST
cstinley avatar
Dr.Scott
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For all the people on the left on this site, and atheists for that matter, I’m kind of surprised a separation of church and state comment got 6 down votes. 😂

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu