They said on Meet The Press that Evangelist's are using Capitalism as a Religion, Isn't that true? Yes or No?
354750
There are many aspects of the Evangelist philosophy which are intertwined with Capitalism (especially the neoliberal capitalism). First there is the Globalization goal to bring the entire world into the Global economy. This mirrors the evanglist goal to spread their brand of Christianity to all of the planet. Even religious leaders have suggest that faith is becoming a "commodity" and Capitalism is paving the way for Christ's Kingdom. There is also the idea that prosperity is to be celebrated (which some may argue is against a fundamental aspect of the Gospels) as the Capitalist seek profit at every turn. Whereas the protestant work ethic philosophy tends to say that worldy wealth is a sign of God's grace and favor and therefore being prosperous is among the things that humans are called to be. It could also be argued that one of the main goals of the new Capitalism is to create as much personal consumption and investment as humanly possible. This forces communal aspects of life to be lessened in importance. One could also argue, the Evangelical desire to proclaim a very personal relationship with God and a personal specific salvation runs in concert with the idea that individuals are to consume everything on the personal, not communal level.\n\nEach of these things are among others in how Capitalism and the evangelical christian movement often go hand in hand. Whether this is good or bad...is up to the observer.
976488
I do not know .  but I have questions about the televangelist baring false witness. this may be particuliraly true if the goal is more to make money.
882981
YES, I DO. I THINK THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO BE IN THE SPOT LIGHT.SO SHINE  AS A LIGHT OF GOD.\nEVERY PASTOR HAS TO ACCOUNT TO GOD FOR THE FLOCK GOD HAS PLACED THEM OVER.\nI THINK MINISTERS ON T.V. BEG TO MUCH FOR MONEY.\n-------GODS NOT BROKE.--------\nI THINK THEY ARE TO FLASHY.\nTO MUCH MONEY SPENT ON "THINGS"\nI FIND IT HARD TO LISTEN TO A MAN / WOMAN THAT I CAN'T SEE THE FACE FOR THE JEWELS.\nSPEND THAT MONEY ON HUNGRY CHILDREN.
350203
Absolutely. Any religion that needs to twist their own words and beliefs in order to 'recruit' people to gain power are corrupt. Religion is man made remember, and God(or the Gods as I believe) is love. Christianity and the church have been so twisted over the centuries that they have now completely lost their grip on reality. They should try going and sitting in a field and meditating on nature instead of putting so much focus on the church. Life isn't about a big building with a spire, its about understanding. The catholic church in particular is one of the richest and most powerful institutions in the world? How did they get there? By helping the poor? I don't think so. By taking money, keeping it and recruiting new followers by twisting, turning and having an answer for everything. I'm not going to apologise if this offends anyone - If ya cant stand the heat ....
143994
SHB...isn't it strange how all (or I mean most) answers talk about how clergymen spread the word, ie- visiting the sick, writing surmons, marrying people and such. Do they have real jobs, making real money? Or do they keep the bills paid by the churches offerings? WOW! \n\n(I shoulda thunk o' that!!)
169267
I assume you are speaking of the United States when you say "America".  If so, my answer is NO.  The U.S. has always been a capitalist government.  Since it has been capitalist from the beginning, the ethics and morals of capitalism have always been present.  The ethics and morals of capitalism are what shaped the country in the first place so they cannot be viewed as an outside force.  What has corrupted the country is the movement away from being a Christian society.  Capitalism MUST be balanced by a concern for the well being of others.  The capitalism of today is the same capitalism practiced by our forefathers, but many of today's capitalist lack any moral compass.  They are driven only by a selfish desire for profit for themselves.  They are not even concerned for their own company, just what they can take out of it.  That my friend is NOT Capitalism, that is GREED.  Many people confuse the two, but they are NOT the same.  Capitalism is a grand dream of building, greed is a sick desire to tear down for one's own gain.  Children are not taught morals or ethics in our public schools anymore.  They have been outlawed from the classroom.  The result is a generation that worships greed.  Look at the lessons taught by the top television programs like The Apprentice and Survivor.  Lie, cheat, steal and win.  Win at all cost.  Betray your friends, make false alliances, be sneaky and get the gold.  That philosophy is greed and it destroys all who buy into it.  In the final analysis what is corrupting our country is that we have elevated self gratification above all other concerns.
1156988
Yes!  Pick a sucker group, claim you've read every word of the Bible and believe it in its literal sense.  State that you read somewhere in there, like John 4:52, that if your followers don't support your ministry financially, they'll go to h*ll.
888952
no its not right and it keeps  going on and on because  there is a lot of money made on this lie.....and as for the bible...i kinda think stories were told .....a  little different than what really happened.........they got to control the people\nya  know!
1086113
This is a very good question.  Let's look at the verses that are used to support the idea of communism amongst Christians.  \n\nActs 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.\n\nThis is, of course, the primary passage that is used.  As your link also points out, Jesus and the apostles may have lived in a communist manner, as we know that Judas Iscariot was their money keeper (John 13:29).\n\nHowever, were all Christians expected to live as communists?\n\nFirst we see that people were not required to sell off all they own and give it to the church.  We see this in Acts 5, when a couple sold their home, and gave the money to the apostles.  However, they kept some for themselves, lying about how much they sold it for.  The response in verse 4 was, "Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God!"  The apostles never expected the couple to sell the property and give them the full amount.  \n\nWe also have many references to Paul, as well as Aquila, being a tent maker (see Acts 18:2-3).  In fact, he later writes these words to the Christians in Thessalonica:\n\n\n\n\nWe were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:7b-10)."\n\n\n\n\nI believe this is a pretty good justification for capitalism.  We see that while many Christians chose to live in situations where a communistic atmosphere was embraced, it was never expected.  Working for food, however, WAS expected, and even the communes still existed within a larger capitalistic government.  We still see that happening today.  Monasteries are essentially communistic communities, for example.  When the founding fathers of America decided to establish a new government, the based many of their laws on Christian ideals, but they looked many other places as to how to structure the government.  They wanted a country that guaranteed freedoms that were denied them.  Democracy was a logical choice.  As far a money goes, they went with what they already knew worked.\n\nI would add, however, that the selfish "desire to acquire" that often goes with capitalism, is contrary to Christianity.
831241
I find religion goes well with Linquine Alfredo and a light Chianti. Capitalism and religion is an unholy alliance. Churches like the Catholic and Mormon Church are more profitable than many large corporations or even nations. Money is a necessary evil for churches.  The Mormon Church used to advise its members to abstain from Pepsi and other drinks that contained caffeine, until they bought large amounts of Pepsi stock.  Money in religion is the tail wagging the dog. As tax free entities they have a huge advantage. No one is forced to put money in the collection plate, but it is hard not to feel obligated when everyone around you does. This doesn't bother me. They have to pay the bills. What does bother me is the thought of TV evangelists flying around in Lear jets to talk little old ladies into putting them into their will. Still there is the good side. I took a load of used goods to a Salvation Army donation site and the man told me there were fifty men working in the warehouse trying to turn their lives around. The money was being used to change lives and not make the man at the top rich. But money does corrupt and leads to abuse, even among the faithful.
423637
I don't think separation of church and state said anything about being tax free. If a minister teaches bible, that's one thing, but pastor's like Rod Parsley, who for years has flaunted his political view's, and allows candidates to speak from his pulpit, should lose his tax exempt status forthwith. Not to mention he's a millionaire many times over.
518507
No, and I don't agree with those who wish it were.I think free expression is necessary for growth in knowledge,and man kind as a whole.How ever...this book/movie should not be taken as fact.People need to research their bible,and their hearts before deciding what to believe.We are much too quick in trying to humanize Jesus.He was God in the flesh,not just another evangelist.
115655
I'm sure a lot of them are. But I also notice a lot of questions that are a thinly veiled attempt to promote christianity. I'd say there's probably a connection between the two things.
562877
The "church" as an institution I think has really used spirituality to hype the political agenda of it's rulers (witness the Inquisition). But the confirmation of rules that really help a society work (don't steal, murder, cop another person's spouse or property) I think would be something that a "God" would be all in favor of.  I think that there are God ordained humans whose life's work is to remind those of a lesser spiritual bent that "to treat others as you would be treated" is the ideal.  These people SHOULD be "the church" but like you say there are those who for milllineums have used the claim that they have a "direct line to God" to control whole populations.  I figure if there IS a God, and He created me, why wouldn't He care what happens to me and if I am living a worthwhile life or not. I'm not sure about a heaven or hell type of judgement, but once again, if there IS a God/Creator then I figure he cares if I am a hurter or a helper and when I go back to Him He will care about an accounting that I have for my actions while I passed through his Creation.
1167384
I actually completely disagree that the media is 'liberal'. I've seen too many highly controversial stories reported on PBS The Newshour that are never shown on network news. \n\nI think the old saying 'liberal media' is just another way the rightwing is manipulating us. They WANT us to think that so that we don't believe the real stuff... like I said some of the stories I have seen on PBS news.\n\nI wish ppl would wake up... not saying you.. but ppl in general and begin to think on their own and search for the whole, complete, real story on things.\n\nBTW, loved your comment on my B. Laden question. Some ppl argue with the truth even when it is staring them in the face.\n\nAlso, capitalism has never worked throughout history for the exact reasons we are seeing develop now.
1118577
Yes my Friend, what is God , It's believe and believe is in side you ,if you heart and mind is agree with you and then answer is yes.No God is for money making,but now These priests and other peoples made it money making sou res.
534631
Yes! Every preacher, male or female is there for one and only one purpose....to make money.\n\nThe will say what ever it takes to do so, even if it means making it look like she is doing it for other people.\n\nIf they cannot do it in a church, they will try to sell books to make money.\n\nEverything revolves around money. \n\nJesus said, freely ye have received freely give. Take neither silver nor gold for your purses.\n\nHe also Satan would make his ministers appear as angels of light.\n\nOh, and who ever said "The Hippocrites Are The Atheists & GOD Haters & Religion Bashers!" must be calling Jesus a hippocrite because he condimed and rediculed the hippocritical religounist and temple moneymakers in his day also.\n\nYou are not one of Jesus' followere if you do not CONDIM hippocritical religounist and temple moneymakers also.