There's some who would say Cedar Creek Lake residents and visitors spend too much time playing, but a quick look at the number of churches operating on the giant lake's shoreline indicates there's a bunch of praying going on too. No less than 75 Christian-based churches call the dozen cities and outlying communities dotting Cedar Creek Lake's 220-mile shoreline home. Just about every denomination, including Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene, Pentecostal and Presbyterian, is represented. There are several nondenominational churches, as well as an interfaith church with a primarily gay and lesbian congregation that welcomes all faiths from Buddhism to Christian to Muslims and Jewish people. There's even a cowboy-themed church that celebrates Sunday worship with lively music. Memberships in the churches are mostly small because they appeal mostly to full-time residents rather than the weekenders and other vacationers who descend upon the lake to fish, boat, picnic, golf, swim and enjoy other outdoor activities. Some of the churches are welcoming to outsiders and others apparently are not, according to the stories some newcomers relate about visiting the churches and the reception they received. Other churches desperately want to attract weekenders to services, but just can't compete with the call of the lake's sirens. There is one church that can be identified as primarily African-American by its name, but no listings could be found for congregations that are primarily Latino or Spanish-speaking. Some of the churches take active roles in community affairs, as was seen during an election last year on an alcoholic beverage issue in Gun Barrel City where a Mabank church pastor reportedly pushed for a restrictive outcome. The pastor's efforts failed because it apparently was viewed by most residents as more of an economic issue than a moral one. When the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion foundation tried to force Henderson County officials to remove a nativity scene from the courthouse lawn at Christmas last year, members of Cedar Creek Lake churches turned out in droves for a rally in Athens in support of the traditional scene. In the end, the nativity scene stayed up, and conversations in the restaurants, retail stores and other gathering spots buzzed about the event for weeks. Not all of the voices in those conversations are regularly heard in church on Sunday mornings, but the rally created a revival-atmosphere for many people. Other churches and their members maintain a lower profile, and many do extensive outreach to the community to make sure everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear. In addition to alliances between conservative pastors, there is even a small group of progressive pastors meeting weekly from several Cedar Creek Lake churches to socialize and discuss issues. In short, you can't swing a cat by the tail on Cedar Creek Lake without hitting a church. If it's religion you want, you are bound to find a pastor, a congregation and an atmosphere that suits you. (Photo of cross with lighted sign below taken in Alabama recently.)