Is there a need for theists to spend multi-millions (US$ terms) to build opulent places of worship?

Question

Using our sense of reasoning:
Since the time of the Romans, high taxes were forced from the poor and a vulgar sum spent on bulding opulent churches, many of them still standing today. Look at many of the thousands of churches built not too long ago.. multi-million dollar mega projects!
Can't people worship in much simpler churches and donate the millions to the poor, starving Africans, etc who die in the thousands everyday?

Answer 1

Wow, I am so in agreement of what you think. I am a christian, but I hate seeing multimillion dollar complexes. Not what Jesus intended. Why are they necessary? How many could be housed, fed and have medical treatment with that money, and from the proper use of what God has so blessed us with.

I do know that where I live there are many churches that are store front, using old bldg in down towns, that have been renovated into simple churches.

Many soup kitchens, women's shelters, family center, clothing and food centers, are also there.

There are people that see the need and work for it, because of the cause of Christ.

Answer 2

Of course not! Jesus never said "Build me a multimillion dollar temple using nonbelievers' taxdollars and the contributions of ridiculoulsy wealthy white men! And make sure you put a giftshop in there, and throw in a Starbucks by the sanctuary exit. Oh, and while you're at it, install a McDonalds in the lobby." Nooo, big churches are so commercialized that they're beginning to make churches look bad in general. There're three churches around my house that have well over 5,000 people. And on holidays, it's even worse, because they rent out the city STADIUM. That is not how church should be.

Answer 3

Oh yes, preachers need lavish palaces to preach in. Here is an article about Jan Crouch, from Trinity Broadcasting.

Also attached is information about super rich Joyce Meyers, Rev. John Hagee, Rev. Creflo Dollar and all sorts of super rich star preachers.

Would the royal chapel at Windsor Castle be good enough for these ministers of the Lord?

Answer 4

No. We shouldn't be spending money on stupid temples/churches/etc. I agree with you, we should be using that money to help those who truly need it. Whenever I see those huge buildings going up, knowing that it's some Christian Network setting itself up... I can only think that they've manifested their ego into that structure... and are compensating for other things. People can worship in their friggin livingroom and get the same effect from it... If they actually spent that money on what they were supposed to spend it on, we might not have homeless children (note: I only said children here) in the US. I'm a firm believer in you can't help other people clean up if your own house is a wreck.

Answer 5

That's exactly what the members of my church did. We bought a used building relatively cheap and converted it into a church. We were then able to send money to several areas of need in the US and in 12 other nations. It has nothing to due with tax dollars though. The money for our church came from the members of our church. The money to support missions came from the people of our church. Tax dollars don't support the churches in the US.

Answer 6

I agree. I see no need is having chuches for looks. Some churches spend way too much on the frills, & not on the important things that God would have us spend our time & money on. I do think we should be efficiant & have buildings to meet the needs of the church; but not to be the ritsiest, or showiest.

Answer 7

*Is there a need for theists to spend multi-millions (US$ terms) to build opulent places of worship? *

Yes, ostensibly so that when things go bad or you have to pay off some debt,the building can be sold for a handsome price.
I just don't like it when these Churches turn into
shopping malls or apartments.

Answer 8

I remember a million dollar update to the church we went to in Florida, and this was 20 years ago, so it was a huge undertaking. Beautiful building, but I really think the pastor was more interested in the building than he was in souls. Personally, I think outside in the woods would be more fitting, couldn't find a more beautiful church than that.

Answer 9

If they didn't spend it on churches, they would just buy more SUVs. For the most part, people really don't care about the poor, starving Africans, etc, including Christians.

Answer 10

Apparently there is a need. I live not too far from a church that has TWO gift shops on the ground floor. :)