In the 1st "4" 10 commandments......they deal strictly with the divine enity "GOD" and one of them says something like "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name"
So by these guys using the lord's name to make millions and live a lifestyle of the rich & famous, isn't that wrong???
Remember these guys take advantage of this captive audience to "peddle" books and other items for sale so that they can generate all this revenue. And they do it in their ministries name which in turn means they do it TAX FREE! Is this right???
The rich get their accountants to play the numbers and pay as little as possible. Church enjoys paying no taxes, but Middle Class America pays their taxes...shouldn't they pay too??
2006-10-30 02:21:10 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Imho, it is a violation of the spirit and law of scripture. And it is just plain distasteful.
Yes, they should have to pay a tax. The tax should not be more than the church can bear, but YES, they should have to pay a tax.
2006-10-30 02:24:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
As long as the Word of God is being spread to the lost and infirm, and as long as the ministries in question are not cheating the government and their ministries with greed, then there's nothing wrong with it. We're not to offer service unto God with "lipservice as menpleasers", so building these multi-million dollar churches aren't always necessary when the money could be going to feed the hungry and etc. If a congregation is growing and on fire for God, sometimes bigger buildings are necessary, but otherwise it depends on how open a ministry is with the spending of the money it takes in.
2006-10-30 02:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
These people aren't true Christians. They have interpreted scripture to use to their own accord and have raked in millions from the poor. They will meet their Maker someday and will be justly dealt with.
Yet, some of what they say is true but we must pray for discernment to know the difference.
2006-10-30 02:25:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, it isn't only sinful, it's simply WRONG and immoral.
My view is, as long as there is one suffering person in your area, one hungry family, one uninsured person needing medical attention, the church doesn't have enough money to be "pretty" and remodeled, or any such thing.
This is just one reason I've denounced all organized religion.
They have no concept of WWJD.
2006-10-30 02:28:08 · answer #4 · answered by Cookie 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree, and that's not to mention the fact that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell use their pulpits to promote their political ideologies.
2006-10-30 02:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by tangerine 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It's not a "sin," because sin is just one of the imaginary ideas invented by people who use religion to exploit the ignorant. It's certainly dispicable; but then again, as long as there are ignorant people, there will always be amoral cynics (i.e. church "leaders") ready to take advantage of them.
2006-10-30 02:26:10 · answer #6 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
well, if the millions of people don't see anything wrong with these charlatons taking their money, I don't either. I think somebody should make some money off of them. It seems they do enjoy being mistreated and lied to. people can only be exploited if they allow it.
2006-10-30 02:40:57 · answer #7 · answered by NO delusions 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't know if it's a true sin, but it conflicts with the doctrines of Jesus which is a life of poverty with nothing in your pockets.
2006-10-30 02:23:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO.....JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.....VENGENCE IS MINE SAYETH THE LORD! THE LORD WANTS YOUR HEART NOT YOUR MONEY!
2006-10-30 02:25:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
...it's not wrong if money is God, which it is to many people. I'm looking at YOU, Republicans!
2006-10-30 02:24:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋