I recently visited NYC & stopped in St. Patrick’s cathedral and saw a full-fledged gift shop right near the exit. I could not believe my eyes. I am catholic but do not normally go to church, however, was in complete shock when I saw this gift shop. Is it me or is this greedy? I recall reading something in my younger years about Jesus flipping over a table when people in his village were profiting off religion.
2007-01-05 07:15:39 · 11 answers · asked by Billy Jack H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So they have a gift shop, big deal.
The money brought in through the gift shop goes to offset the addtional cleaning, restoration and general maintenance of the building that is brought on by St. Patricks being a landmark building for people of all faiths.
If you think that is being greedy, perhaps you should start attending church and giving your tithes - maybe then St. Patricks could afford to close the gift shop. I can assure you that what little is brought in through the gift shop isn't even close to what is needed.
2007-01-05 07:21:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
St Patrick Cathedral Gift Shop
2017-01-12 03:17:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shop serves a purpose for visitors. Probably souvenirs of St. Patrick's. Why not let the church make some money, why should it all go to that store across the street? Also most gift shops that I have seen is such places sell religious things that would be very hard to find anywhere else. They are doing a service in that way.
2007-01-05 07:23:05 · answer #3 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gift shop is for visitors, and doesn't go towards making the Cathedral rich, but is for the people who run the shop. Visitors like to take home souvenirs, and some of those souvenirs are prayer cards or books on prayers. Some of these things you can't fine outside of a gift shop dedicated only to religion (like it's not always easy to find science gifts outside of the Smithsonian gift shops in DC or a store that specializes in that).
If you have such a problem, just remember, the people buying the stuff there are doing so because what they buy goes towards their religious life (prayers, reminders, books). If you don't like it, don't buy it.
2007-01-05 07:27:35 · answer #4 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People want to buy gifts from a cathedral, how is that surprising? The Catholic church uses money for various purposes, and the dispensation of religious media is not, itself evil, but good.
The Church also requires money to operate. If people decide to purchase something instead of tithing, well, it could be argued that it is a tithe as I've seen such shops with no person in them and a cash box. Anyway, you get the point. How do you pay bills without money? Is it wrong to support artists? Is it wrong to support construction companies in the area where a church is located? Is it wrong to fill God's home with beauty?
Besides, you have confused people charging for good with those who changed money for profit (usury).
2007-01-05 07:31:51 · answer #5 · answered by BigPappa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, St. Patrick's is a MAJOR tourist attraction with millions of visitors every year. A lot of people that visit do appreciate the gift shop because they want some sort of souvenir. I don't see it as greedy whatsoever but I also don't know where the money goes. Like any tourist attraction, that place gets a lot of wear and tear and they need to keep it clean, etc.. It doesn't bother me so much if they are selling souvenirs. It's not like they are charging admission!
2007-01-05 07:26:52 · answer #6 · answered by Pico 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The national treasure is underneath Trinity Church on Wall Street.
2007-01-05 07:26:44 · answer #7 · answered by jinenglish68 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gift shop doesn't profit the cathedral but the workers.
2007-01-05 07:18:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like it, I think it's a very funny and a very original song, but it gets a little too much air time.
2016-05-23 06:33:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They been playing bingo at churches for years . lotsa people go into that church , therefore it needs to be staffed . Im sure they ain't getting rich of it
2007-01-05 07:22:29 · answer #10 · answered by prole1984 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋