Why does a religious body (church, temple, mosque etc.) require so much money

[BBQcopter]

Anyone?

[1714794398]

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[1714794398]

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[1714794398]

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[Lethn]

Those miracles don't pay for themselves

[acs267]

Anyone?

They claim it's because God wanted them too, I think that's the Christians belief or something a long the lines. Going to the church is a sign of belief, and giving to the church reinforces it. I don't understand why some churches need buildings, though? If God wanted his churches to be open 24/7 and available to anybody, they rarely do church outside were I live. And not everybody could go into them without being labeled a thief/liar. People from other religions are also seldom welcomed at the ones by me.

[bitsmichel]

Money is a tool for power.

[Bitcoin Magazine]

it's totally a scam.  Jesus said u can't have money if u want to get into heaven, therefore throw all your money away to the church.. which brought u what.  yes.  Jesus.

[Vod]

Anyone?

Churches do give to charity cases - a single mother with no job.  That's the only saving grace about churches, but I don't like the way they lie for the money.

[beetcoin]

religion and the church are tax-exempted enterprises, that's why. when someone knocks on your door asking you to convert, that's just their pawns working for them.

[cosmofly]

All religions ask for money to maintain power and enslave You to their doctrine. Just like you pay taxes but your roads and bridges are broken

So many church mosque temple have been caught using money for themself only small amount goes to charity

[reginalkri]

Because they make you believe that giving them 10% of your earnings is the same as giving 10% of your earnings to God. At least with Christians.

Don't know why God needs 10%. It sickens me when I see family members just throwing their money away because they believe in a fairy tale.

Anyway, it's all very non Jesus like. That's the funny thing.

[TrailingComet]

They don't
Org religion is the ultimate ponzi scheme

[Hazir]

Obviously GOD need money for something. We need to ask him But truth to be told 'religion is opium of the people' in most cases. People is just people they don't communicate with almighty God in heavens, they just need to steal your money and build bigger church or better car for themselves. And for that they need a lot of money

[Dogtanian]

Churches are businesses and take advantage of the naivity and stupidity of their believers. Believers like to think they can buy their way in to heaven so it's like taking candy from a baby.

[bryant.coleman]

Churches are businesses and take advantage of the naivity and stupidity of their believers.

The world's two largest religions (Islam and Christianity) are actually hugely successful business enterprises, which uses the brainwashed followers to their own advantage. Even the other religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) are recently following this trend. 

[Dogtanian]

Churches are businesses and take advantage of the naivity and stupidity of their believers.

The world's two largest religions (Islam and Christianity) are actually hugely successful business enterprises, which uses the brainwashed followers to their own advantage. Even the other religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) are recently following this trend. 

I agree with Christianity, but how so about Islam?

[golem]

If you follow a religion, well then you want a place to worship.

Since govt don't just give money - some form of donation is required.  Now a religion that says you _HAVE_ to give X or go to HELL or otherwise - thats just not kosher.

My 0.02 satoshi

[bryant.coleman]

I agree with Christianity, but how so about Islam?

Most of the Islamic sects are also following a business model, encouraging conversions and all. There are hundreds of thousands of Islamic missionaries around the world. Islam was perhaps the first religion to make use of the demography, in order to strengthen their influence across the globe. They also possess very advanced financial aid groups to utilize the money, such as the Islamic Bank.

[kuroman]

Some religions does, other do not, It's better to check your stuff before making that mistake, and usually religions that requires proxy are the ones that requires money (even if you look at the religion core, there is no mention of the need of some proxy of some sort)

Most of the Islamic sects are also following a business model, encouraging conversions and all. There are hundreds of thousands of Islamic missionaries around the world. Islam was perhaps the first religion to make use of the demography, in order to strengthen their influence across the globe. They also possess very advanced financial aid groups to utilize the money, such as the Islamic Bank.

As someone who traveled a lot, I've never seen such a thing, I've meet, Christian preachers, I've got several times a Bible copy and other books, I've even had some preachers knock my door to talk about Christianity here in Europe, but never seen that happening with Islam, also you are confusing the role of Islamic Banks, (which are just cooperative banks with Zero interesst rates when it comes to loans)

but again I might be mistaking, you can share your experience if you had encountered one ^^

[golem]

Don't confuse zero interest rates as free loans - they are not - they charge a 'profit'.

[kuroman]

Don't confuse zero interest rates as free loans - they are not - they charge a 'profit'.

No, You can have a loan for free with no profit behind (depending of the type of loan investiment from the bank of course) , as the bank will get it profit from somewhere else. It's a bank not just a loan institute

Enjoy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_banking

[Garryashas]

Those miracles don't pay for themselves

Indeed. How can one turn water into wine without some money?

[beetcoin]

i love how those christian evangelists have this veneer of charm that most people with an ounce of intelligence can see through.. except for a shitload of christians.

[sana8410]

The only Christian congregation I've ever admired were the Friends. The local chapter, I'm pretty sure, is a typical Friends group. They do not believe in ostentatious display or proselytizing. They borrow gathering space from other churches.

I attended one of their services. There are no accoutrement, there is no hat passed around. The first half of their meetings consists of quiet meditation and some singing, the second half was a discussion of the futility of war.

Clearly, religion does not require any capital at all to function or thrive.

Now, if a congregation wanted to raise money to donate to a shelter or sponsor a needy family, of course that is reasonable and I'd think it's a fine cause.

Anything beyond that, I would immediately question.

people tend to forget religion is the congregation. It's not the building where they have their meetings, or the cars their preachers drive, or whatever.

[activebiz]

Well people who work in the church also have to take care of families, the church and the needy. Its really very necessary to donate to church

[bryant.coleman]

Well people who work in the church also have to take care of families, the church and the needy. Its really very necessary to donate to church

We are not talking about the donations we make to the orphanages and other charitable institutions run by the religious bodies. We were talking about the religious bodies building super-sized and expensive places of worship and buying expensive vehicles with the donated money.

[beetcoin]

what's the point of church if you don't got no bling? the lord wills it.

[acs267]

Well people who work in the church also have to take care of families, the church and the needy. Its really very necessary to donate to church

We are not talking about the donations we make to the orphanages and other charitable institutions run by the religious bodies. We were talking about the religious bodies building super-sized and expensive places of worship and buying expensive vehicles with the donated money.

Errg. This is so true where I live. Every corner I turn, there's super-sized building claiming to heal you of sickness, yet, they put up posters saying specific people aren't allowed.

[spazzdla]

You are not going to like the actual answer or believe it, so I won't bother going on from here.

[bryant.coleman]

Errg. This is so true where I live. Every corner I turn, there's super-sized building claiming to heal you of sickness, yet, they put up posters saying specific people aren't allowed.

Why they are not allowing specific people? Based on race / sexuality / gender / income level?

[noviapriani]

Our Church leases a school and sets up chairs every Sunday AM. This keeps our costs down. Some Churches do the opposite and spend a fortune. The Bible does not say to do this. In fact, those 'statues' of Jesus you see in Catholic Churches ..... those are a 'likeness' and the Bible says NOT to create those.
Money collected at our Church is completely voluntary. It is used to pay for the pastors etc. However a huge part of it goes to help people. Sometimes to make a mortgage payment for them after a job loss, or stock their cupboards and fridge, or for travel costs to a far away hospital for health treatments.
These amounts are all itemized in the accounting books which are open for any Church member to review.
So, I guess what I am saying is that not all Churches are the same. I agree that your question is a good one. Please just don't assume that corruption and misuse is always the case.

[Tedward]

God loves you but he needs your money.

[bryant.coleman]

God loves you but he needs your money.

That is why I have been saying all day long that religion was invented by some really intelligent people to make money from the less intelligent. The modern religions are perfect business models.

[zolace]

People like money and power. Churches are run by people. These people then want lots of money and power and stupid people who think they hear voices in their head hand over their money. It's really pretty simple.

[Dogtanian]

God loves you but he needs your money.

That is why I have been saying all day long that religion was invented by some really intelligent people to make money from the less intelligent. The modern religions are perfect business models.

I don't think they were necessarily invented to make money, but most are now big businesses.

[hilariousandco]

God loves you but he needs your money.

That is why I have been saying all day long that religion was invented by some really intelligent people to make money from the less intelligent. The modern religions are perfect business models.

I think different religions were created for different and varying reasons. Some for good, bad, fame, power, wealth or a even mixture, but somewhere down the line they usually become monopolised and capitalised on and turned into corporations. Just look at Scientology and the famous quote from L Ron Hubbard himself: "The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion".

Oh, and I think that was a George Carlin line you quoted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ8hefESt7c