This is unironically the type of preaching that megachurch pastors use to incentivize people to donate. It’s called prosperity gospel. Basically, it’s the belief that God rewards his most devout followers with material wealth. So if you’re not rich, it’s because you’re not a good enough follower and need to keep donating. It’s what pastors like Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland use, to get their followers to buy them new private jets.
Note that this completely contrary to everything Jesus said. He spoke of rewards in the afterlife, that the poor would be rewarded and the rich would not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The "Prosperity Gospel" is a blatant heresy, and far worse so than most of the alleged heresies of the past 2000 years.
I know I'm technically a Calvinist, or at least the branch of protestantism I'm from is, but there's a lot he said many modern Christians would disagree with, and is frankly nit biblical.
Also, tithe is supposed to be a percentage of your income, not a flat amount. Most Christians will say 10% of your annual income goes to the church as tithe. Asking for a flat amount unfairly burdens the poorer parishioners, in the same way that flat rate taxes unfairly burden the poor.
In Islam, the equivalent donation (called zakat) is a twentieth. And you're only obligated to pay it from the money you have left after you've taken care of feeding your family and providing for your housing, though it's a matter of pride to be able to pay it. The reason it's a lower amount is because Islam started in a very poor area, and (I speculate) because Muhammad started as a merchant and really didn't like taxes.
Do they donate their money publicly during the service while being open about how much they donate? That would be completely unacceptable in any halfway respectable church. Donations should be private, and should have no impact on your position in the church.
Any church that focuses too much on donations and money is pretty obviously a scam. An honest church is run by the congregation and the vicar/preacher is struggling as much as the average member. Faith is not a profit-driven enterprise, as Jesus pointed out on the temple square. Yet nobody today is chasing that den of thieves out of our churches. Maybe we should.
Yep, it’s disgusting how predatory churches can be. These pastors live opulent lifestyles without a single concern for the often poor, elderly, or otherwise vulnerable, people paying for it.
Nobody deserves to be taken advantage of like this just because they’re looking for some kind of meaning in life or a community to be a part of. That’s a basic human desire. Fuck anyone that would exploit that.
We haven't been a civilized nation in quite a long while now. This country has the average emotional control and intelligence of a 14 year old. Those of us with half a clue and any self awareness are badly outnumbered. Idiocracy is here. Wall us in and check on us in 50 years.
24 Comments
jordanlund@lemmy.world · 63 pts · 326d
He went after a parishoner for "only" donating $1,235 when he wanted $2,000.
His excuse is he asked for those donating $2,000 or more to come up first, she came up but without the $2K.
Their Facebook page states they get $150,000 in donations every year.
aeronmelon@lemmy.world · 23 pts · 326d
I say this without a hint of irony; What in God’s name is wrong with him??
hitmyspot@aussie.zone · 19 pts · 325d
Greed mixed with a lack of empathy.
SeductiveTortoise@piefed.social · 13 pts · 325d
If you need money so badly, I'm sure your god will provide it to you. Just keep praying.
mic_check_one_two@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 16 pts · 325d
This is unironically the type of preaching that megachurch pastors use to incentivize people to donate. It’s called prosperity gospel. Basically, it’s the belief that God rewards his most devout followers with material wealth. So if you’re not rich, it’s because you’re not a good enough follower and need to keep donating. It’s what pastors like Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland use, to get their followers to buy them new private jets.
mcv@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 324d
Note that this completely contrary to everything Jesus said. He spoke of rewards in the afterlife, that the poor would be rewarded and the rich would not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
The "Prosperity Gospel" is a blatant heresy, and far worse so than most of the alleged heresies of the past 2000 years.
phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 322d
You can thank the twisted madman John Calvin for that heresy.
mcv@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 322d
I know I'm technically a Calvinist, or at least the branch of protestantism I'm from is, but there's a lot he said many modern Christians would disagree with, and is frankly nit biblical.
mic_check_one_two@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 7 pts · 325d
Also, tithe is supposed to be a percentage of your income, not a flat amount. Most Christians will say 10% of your annual income goes to the church as tithe. Asking for a flat amount unfairly burdens the poorer parishioners, in the same way that flat rate taxes unfairly burden the poor.
phutatorius@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 322d
"Tithe" is an old word for a tenth.
In Islam, the equivalent donation (called zakat) is a twentieth. And you're only obligated to pay it from the money you have left after you've taken care of feeding your family and providing for your housing, though it's a matter of pride to be able to pay it. The reason it's a lower amount is because Islam started in a very poor area, and (I speculate) because Muhammad started as a merchant and really didn't like taxes.
mcv@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 324d
Do they donate their money publicly during the service while being open about how much they donate? That would be completely unacceptable in any halfway respectable church. Donations should be private, and should have no impact on your position in the church.
Any church that focuses too much on donations and money is pretty obviously a scam. An honest church is run by the congregation and the vicar/preacher is struggling as much as the average member. Faith is not a profit-driven enterprise, as Jesus pointed out on the temple square. Yet nobody today is chasing that den of thieves out of our churches. Maybe we should.
JASN_DE@feddit.org · 48 pts · 326d
Well, what else would you expect from a church?
fsociety@sopuli.xyz · 31 pts · 326d
Yep, it’s disgusting how predatory churches can be. These pastors live opulent lifestyles without a single concern for the often poor, elderly, or otherwise vulnerable, people paying for it.
Nobody deserves to be taken advantage of like this just because they’re looking for some kind of meaning in life or a community to be a part of. That’s a basic human desire. Fuck anyone that would exploit that.
slaneesh_is_right@lemmy.org · 11 pts · 325d
A bigger scam and more rape
FistingEnthusiast@lemmynsfw.com · 35 pts · 326d
Religion is poison
People involved are either charlatans, idiots, or (frequently) both
Pat_Riot@lemmy.today · 8 pts · 325d
I think you are being generous
Dyskolos@lemmy.zip · 34 pts · 325d
Pat_Riot@lemmy.today · 12 pts · 325d
We haven't been a civilized nation in quite a long while now. This country has the average emotional control and intelligence of a 14 year old. Those of us with half a clue and any self awareness are badly outnumbered. Idiocracy is here. Wall us in and check on us in 50 years.
Dyskolos@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 325d
tomi000@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 325d
*4 year old
BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today · 19 pts · 325d
I don't understand the outrage. It's a church. They are ALL predatory scams. I wouldn't expect anything less.
Smeagol666@crazypeople.online · 16 pts · 325d
She should cancel the fucking check. "Oh, $1200 isn't enough? Let me take my ass down the road to
BumfuckBoondocks Baptist Church then."Buffalox@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 326d
Land of the insane.
RotatingParts@lemmy.ml · 7 pts · 325d
The true powers of religion, controlling people and taking their money for your own enrichment. People need to wake up!
Fleur_@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 325d
Proof god is a capitalist and should die by the revolution
otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 325d
FTFY