Isn't it stupid to build expensive churches, mosques or temples when all Gods want us to have a simple life?

Question

Jesus, Allah, Buddha all lived very frugally and never believed in gold or diamonds. Why is that humans always want to built lavish
buildings to remember God

Answer 1

This time, Mr. Underwear, I have to agree with you. Expensive religious buildings miss the point entirely. Religious buildings should be well-maintained and clean and should have adequate parking spaces and bathrooms, etc., but anything other than that is excess, and yes, stupid.

I just chided you for asking so many religious questions, so I'm logging off now because if I keep answering your questions I'm afraid I might be a hypocrite. Happy asking, Mr. Underwear.

Answer 2

Well, there may be a fine line between high-quality materials and opulence for some people. If you live in a third-world country, any building in the United States might seem terribly expensive and opulent. I would say there is a huge discrepancy in how the world's resources are being used, so at some point in time over the next 50 years or so, I would imagine that those resources will have to be redistributed. It may be that the standard of all buildings will improve all over the world once that happens. Perhaps you are the type of person who sees just as much beauty and majesty in worshipping God in a nature setting. But there are also unique and beautiful purposes in worshipping God in a temple as well.

Answer 3

Here is one way that G. K. Chesterton discusses the paradox of extravagance and frugality in Christianity. (St. Thomas Becket was a martyr, also known as St. Thomas of Canterbury, where he was archbishop and where he was murdered in 1170. A hair shirt is just what it sounds like--something that causes incredible discomfort against the skin.)


"Becket wore a hair shirt under his gold and crimson, and there is much to be said for the combination; for Becket got the benefit of the hair shirt while the people in the street got the benefit of the crimson and gold. It is at least better than the manner of the modern millionaire, who has the black and the drab outwardly for others, and the gold next his heart. But the balance was not always in one man's body as in Becket's; the balance was often distributed over the whole body of Christendom. Because a man prayed and fasted on the Northern snows, flowers could be flung at his festival in the Southern cities; and because fanatics drank water on the sands of Syria, men could still drink cider in the orchards of England."

Answer 4

Biblically, God gave exact dimensions and components to use when building the temple that would house the ark of the covenant. It was lavish and guilded with much precious metals and stones.

This is what most churches who build lavish buildings rely upon when doing so. It should show that God is more important than anything else in their earthly lives, but most of the time it ends up a temple to the architect or the artist and god is forgotten about.

But to answer your question, it is biblical to show respect and honor to God, even in building a room dedicated to him and him alone.

Answer 5

I disagree. Building is not cheep these days. And if you want to build a church big enough to nurture and serve growing congregation, it takes money. My church has more than quadrupled the amount of the people who worship Jesus. We are building it big that more people can come to enjoy the life changing connection with Jesus. Keep it small and cheep if you do not want to grow, if you only want to keep the present amount happy and they do not have to give too much money to built it for people who they even do not know.

God will give you resources when you want to grow. What ever money I have given to Kingdom purposes...I do not miss the money..I only wish I could give more...so more would come.

Our church is not lavish, but it is built to serve the purpose.

Answer 6

Where in the bible does it say to go out and bulid churches or for that matter where does it say build cars, go buy boats, Gucci clothes, the latest prada accessories. If you are to follow the bible literally, then we'd still be living in mud huts, riding donkeys and tending the fields.... Its good how we pick and choose what the bible is saying. Get rid of the churches and free up the land for better things.... Like a car park.

Answer 7

I agree. We don't need that kind of lavish buildings. I know some religions who asks donations on the streets or market places. They have stop asking money or donations to built their church? Not only that, there is a religion/cult that asks more money other than tithe. They ask for $10 or more everytime they attend their religious services. We don't even know if their religion is a cult. They better be careful.

Answer 8

Here in the belt, churches have bowling alleys, cinemas, coffee bars, and media centers. I guess it is a benefit not to pay taxes. This is greed and pride in spades. Who needs those things to be spiritual. Buddha just had a tree to sit under. Monks didn't start carrying bowls until much later.

Answer 9

I understand your point. If the building of expensive churches interferes with spreading the Word of God then they should be bulldozed to the ground. If, though, they are used as an effective tool to bring men to Christ, then they serve an acceptable purpose. We have to be careful. Are we building these to honor men as with the tower of babal or to bring the lost to Jesus. It's all about purpose.

Answer 10

If all the money that was wasted on huge cathedrals (church buildings of any kind) and war was devoted to hunger, poverty and science, humans would most likely be living like Gods instead of living like a bunch of neanderthals hurling bombs at each other in a desperate struggle to control finite resources.