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True . . .
But what support for their opinions would there be? there is only the Bible to relate His words and his actions, and none, words or actions, supported grand church buildings and wealthy churches. Just the opposite, as a matter of fact.
But, as Bunny commented earlier, what right does a non-Christian like myself have to comment on Christianity?
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 10:04 AM
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If you asked 100 different people what they believed Christ would want
I think you would get 100 different answers
posted by
beachbelle
on September 28, 2003 at 10:01 AM
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My right to comment
I can comment all that I feel is necessary regarding this or any topic. Have not many mainstream Christians deemed it their "god-given duty" to comment about and harrass any and all non-Christian religions? Hypocrisy abounds!
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 9:58 AM
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Bottom Line Should Be:
Not what the memeber wants done with his/her money, but what Christ wants. Or has that changed to mollify the guilt of many (not all, by any means) modern Christians who are more show than spiritual? Do you, Bunny, really think Christ would rather be worshipped in a fancy building, or have the same amount of money go to help the poor, the sick, the homeless and allthose who really need the help of more fortunate Christians?
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 9:56 AM
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Sorry Bunny . . .
But I disagree, with all due respect. Christ seems to teach us to be austere in our religion, if not in our entire lives. It is inconvenient to follow Christ's teachings, and some may choose not to follow those "suggestions" Christ gave us, yet, that does not change what he allegedly taught. If anywhere, churches should be austere, since they directly represent Christ and his teachings. All the excuses in the world will not excuse Christ's questions to those churches when (if?) he returns to judge his followers.
Now, believers in fancy churches may not like what they read here, but they do not have to answer to me. If Christ exists, as they so vehemently proclaim, then he will be pissed at how they pissed their money away.
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 9:40 AM
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From Bunny
Protestant churches are built and decorated with money raised and donated by their members. If someone doesn't like to have his tithe money spent on expensive buildings, he won't join that particular church. Obviously the people who go to those churches want these buildings. Why shouldn't they build what they like with their own money?
You may think that Christians should live an austere existence, giving all their extra income to "the poor," but that simply is not what all Christians believe. As a non-Christian, you're the last person who should be declaring "what Christians should be"!
posted by
Bunny
on September 28, 2003 at 9:35 AM
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Scoop:
That is all to often what happens. Although I am not anti-wealth, it seems that wealth plus church equals curruption.
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 8:55 AM
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I went to church and Sunday school as a kid in a poor neighborhood
My church was a combination of two that combined to save money and all the local people attended and we were close. Then one day they moved 15 miles away and built a new very modern church in a wealthy area and left all the "regulars" behind. They did not give a shit about all of us who went faithfully and the old people who walked there every Sunday and supported the old church. That changed me forever.
posted by
scoop
on September 28, 2003 at 8:35 AM
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Ouch!
And they are such pointy phallic symbols at that! Thanks for the creative comment!
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 8:30 AM
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The opinions of Atheists
Such opinions carry more weight in my mind than those of most religious persons. Thanks for sharing your information.
posted by
archiew
on September 28, 2003 at 8:29 AM
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Yeah, and I wish they'd take all the phallic symbolism out of churches!
Starting with steeples.
posted by
Ariala
on September 28, 2003 at 8:29 AM
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do you mind the opinion of an atheist
Churches are gaudy displays of wealth for three reasons. During the time of most Christian architecture, the era of Michelangelo, commisioned artists could only be sponsored by families like the Medici's who would only pay for religious art...per order of the church. So therefore artistic ambition equalled religious overkill in the interest of fiscal reality.
Also, much for the same reason that the priests spoke Latin to non-latin speaking congregations for hundreds of years, gaudy and expensive buildings furhter reinforce the notion that the church is powerful (the shepherd) and the congreagation is small, faceless, and very powerless.
but that's just me
MAC
posted by
macbilly1
on September 28, 2003 at 8:25 AM
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