If God really existed

[wildwood]

as depicted in the bibble and is good to all Men, would it then not be sinful for Religion to build costly opulent places of worship when just a stable or even an open field would be sufficient to gather? The money saved could be used to help those less fortunate.

[RATTER15]

Yes im sure it would be, look at the billions that has been spent on the Vatican, how many lives could be saved with that money.

[maggiebee]

Stop taking the pi$$. Tomorrow is resurrection day, praise the Lord.

[ummmm]

Touchy!!

[jackthehat]

As I recall, all Jesus ever mentioned was that a 'church' was where people would gather together in his name. It did not have to be a building.

[RATTER15]

I really think that if Jesus ever existed he would be disgusted at the money that is wasted on worshipping him, im sure he would sooner it went to help the unfortunate.

[maggiebee]

JTH, the church is the people, not a building, so it can be in a house, field or even a car park. Wherever two or more are gathered in My name.

[NOX]

I don't think anybody is taking the pi$$, I think they are taking the words of your Lord literally- he was pretty big on being meek and helping the poor- shame his followers aren't- the Vatican is a disgrace and so is the Church of England. How much money does one organisation want?

[jackthehat]

Isn't that what I said?!?

[NOX]

I certainly thought so Jack;-)

[RATTER15]

I was brought up as a Salvationist and my family goes back to William Booth, I even played in the Salvation Army band, our Salvation army hall was a corrugated Iron hut, the Officer lived a 2 up 2 down terraced house. No money wasted on these vast buildings and mansions for a vicar to live in.

[vulcan]

They also have their moments Ratter, this is in New Zealand.
http://www.nzwood.co....n%20Army/YA6R0024.jpg

[ummmm]

This could be completely false. I was told that the reason Catholic priests are not allowed to marry is because the church do not want the burden of looking after the family if he dies.

[boxtops]

I couldn't agree more - the vast riches of a number of religions across the world is amazing, when their parishioners are poor and needy.

[boxtops]

I was thinking of this story from last year http://www.nytimes.co...rld/asia/05india.html

[ludwig]

You do have to wonder what jesus would make of somewhere like the Vatican. Personally I don't care because I'm not a believer, but if I was, that's the kind of question that would concern me - what would jesus think about this place?

[Jemisa]

Thats debateable ummmm, Vicars marry and have families but the church doesn't look after them when he dies. My aunty Rose will tell you that from experience.

jem

[ummmm]

What happens to the family then?

[solvitquick]

Nowhere in the bible did Jesus Christ say: (1) He was God inarnate; (2) That we needed special buildings in which to worship; [The same applies to Mohammed, founder of Muslemism, both claiming to be mere messengers](3) Jesus' "teachings", were promoted, embellished or even invented by Paul of Tarsus in his Letters.
All Established Churches are just massive businesses preying on the gullible who want to believe in a big Santa Claus in the sky.
The C of E uses the SPIN of getting its vicars etc to raise money by charity from their poor deluded congregations. This hides their massive wealth, much of which is invested in the London property market. This, although many of their properties are brothels. I am sure the Catholic Church follows a similar scams although they're probably even richer.
None can prove the existence of any god in fact I don't think they believe he/she/it exists. Their only god is money.

[boxtops]

solvit, sorry if this sounds picky, but there is no such word as Muslemism - it's Islam.

[FredPuli43]

Quakers have the right idea; the meetings are in a bare room, with a table with a bible on it. The Vatican would say that the gold and ornament were from gifts from the people. What the explanation is for the people being allowed to give money which is applied to gold and ornament, or to make gifts of such things, is, is not immediately obvious.