My Religion, Unplugged (Part 2)
This was originally posted 2/23/2008, and updated today.
Well, now it is time to tackle the Prosperity Gospel churches, perhaps what I consider to be the single biggest blight on the religious landscape. At times, I lump these groups in with the Scientologist crowd, turning religion into a business/pyramid scheme and nothing more.
If you Google the term "Prosperity Gospels" you will find a multitude of links and explanations. However, I find the information currently posted on the Wikipedia website to be particularly good in describing this faction. The Prosperity churches primary theme is God wants Christians to be prosperous and successful, particularly in the financial arena.
As "I'm Fine With God..." states, this line of thinking began to form in the 1970s. This new doctrine said God wanted to make you rich and successful, but first, you have to give money to Him (or as it really works, the Prosperity church). It is their foundational cornerstone for their entire belief system.
The problems with this outlook are many. First, history itself is full of contradictions to this philosophy. To start, let's take a look at Jesus. Surely if God wanted Christians to be rich and successful, His only son would have been born into wealth, or at the very least, come into it during His time on earth. You don't think Jesus would have known how to use the system? Wouldn't he have helped Joseph and Mary get ahead in their lives? Okay, what about the Apostles? Surely the founders of the early Christian church, Jesus' chosen disciples would have been told how the system works and been able to take advantage. After all, they established most of the early churches. Yet, somehow they too were deprived of this knowledge.
In fact, many Christians in the first 2000 years following the birth of Jesus simply struggled to stay alive, let alone follow the path to prosperity. There are so many holes in this philosophy, its founders should be ashamed. But, sadly, they have no shame. Instead of filling their soul with the Gospel, they fill their wallets with the members money.
As "I'm Fine With God..." points out, there are other problems with the Prosperity Gospels. God simply becomes a means to an end, not the end Himself. Many Christians in the world today live in poverty, especially in Africa, China and South America. Why are they left out of the loop? Does God only love American Christians enough to bless them with prosperity? Basically, God becomes an ATM.
Look in the news at several shining examples of the Prosperity Gospels. Look at the Church leaders. In fact, last year a large Prosperity Gospel church in Minnesota announced they need to sell the church's private jet because their donations were down $40,000-70,000 a week. No, that is not a typo. Here's the link: Financial Woes Force Church To Sell Private Jet
Does a church really need it's own jet? What on earth for? To help sick children get to treatments? No, to help the church leaders travel to another area and do some fundraising. Did God intend for church leaders to be amongst the richest people in the community? Take a look at these leaders. They do not drive Hondas and Fords. It's Hummers, BMWs, and limos. I know, because there is a PG church in Tallahassee. The pastor drives only the best rides and lives a lavish lifestyle.
So as a true Christian, I find all these Prosperity churches to be offensive and nothing more than a financial scam. You are supposed to GIVE lavishly and LOVE lavishly; not LIVE lavishly and SPEND lavishly.
These church leaders (Jim Bakker and Benny Hinn are examples) get rich on the backs of the church members. I honestly don't believe God intended a life of service to generate a million dollar salary for these clowns.
So, if you know someone thinking of attending one of these Prosperity Gospel churches, talk them out of it. Keep in mind this is only my opinion. You should investigate the subject matter and decide for yourself.
Okay, again, off the soapbox, for today.
Well, now it is time to tackle the Prosperity Gospel churches, perhaps what I consider to be the single biggest blight on the religious landscape. At times, I lump these groups in with the Scientologist crowd, turning religion into a business/pyramid scheme and nothing more.
If you Google the term "Prosperity Gospels" you will find a multitude of links and explanations. However, I find the information currently posted on the Wikipedia website to be particularly good in describing this faction. The Prosperity churches primary theme is God wants Christians to be prosperous and successful, particularly in the financial arena.
As "I'm Fine With God..." states, this line of thinking began to form in the 1970s. This new doctrine said God wanted to make you rich and successful, but first, you have to give money to Him (or as it really works, the Prosperity church). It is their foundational cornerstone for their entire belief system.
The problems with this outlook are many. First, history itself is full of contradictions to this philosophy. To start, let's take a look at Jesus. Surely if God wanted Christians to be rich and successful, His only son would have been born into wealth, or at the very least, come into it during His time on earth. You don't think Jesus would have known how to use the system? Wouldn't he have helped Joseph and Mary get ahead in their lives? Okay, what about the Apostles? Surely the founders of the early Christian church, Jesus' chosen disciples would have been told how the system works and been able to take advantage. After all, they established most of the early churches. Yet, somehow they too were deprived of this knowledge.
In fact, many Christians in the first 2000 years following the birth of Jesus simply struggled to stay alive, let alone follow the path to prosperity. There are so many holes in this philosophy, its founders should be ashamed. But, sadly, they have no shame. Instead of filling their soul with the Gospel, they fill their wallets with the members money.
As "I'm Fine With God..." points out, there are other problems with the Prosperity Gospels. God simply becomes a means to an end, not the end Himself. Many Christians in the world today live in poverty, especially in Africa, China and South America. Why are they left out of the loop? Does God only love American Christians enough to bless them with prosperity? Basically, God becomes an ATM.
Look in the news at several shining examples of the Prosperity Gospels. Look at the Church leaders. In fact, last year a large Prosperity Gospel church in Minnesota announced they need to sell the church's private jet because their donations were down $40,000-70,000 a week. No, that is not a typo. Here's the link: Financial Woes Force Church To Sell Private Jet
Does a church really need it's own jet? What on earth for? To help sick children get to treatments? No, to help the church leaders travel to another area and do some fundraising. Did God intend for church leaders to be amongst the richest people in the community? Take a look at these leaders. They do not drive Hondas and Fords. It's Hummers, BMWs, and limos. I know, because there is a PG church in Tallahassee. The pastor drives only the best rides and lives a lavish lifestyle.
So as a true Christian, I find all these Prosperity churches to be offensive and nothing more than a financial scam. You are supposed to GIVE lavishly and LOVE lavishly; not LIVE lavishly and SPEND lavishly.
These church leaders (Jim Bakker and Benny Hinn are examples) get rich on the backs of the church members. I honestly don't believe God intended a life of service to generate a million dollar salary for these clowns.
So, if you know someone thinking of attending one of these Prosperity Gospel churches, talk them out of it. Keep in mind this is only my opinion. You should investigate the subject matter and decide for yourself.
Okay, again, off the soapbox, for today.
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