Why does Christian Worship Require Such Opulent and Expensive Cathedrals?

Question

Jesus and his disciples often studied in like, the forest.

Why do you need all this stained glass, jewelry, and matrimonious procedures? Why don't you sit in the grass and silently pray like Jesus did?! Truly religious people shouldn't need riches in order to be inspired.


No offense, but I think the lives of Bhuddists are closer to that of Jesus'.

Answer 1

No offense taken since I agree to an extent. God does not require this as part of service to him, although Solomon's Temple was more opulent than any modern cathedral could ever be.

Answer 2

I disagree with your last line. Jesus did do a lot of prayer in whe wilderness but that is where his similarities end with Buddists. As for worshiping in huge Churches I understand your point. The only reason I might say that ornate churches would be good is because, as a Christian, some forms of Christian art have really spoken to me. But many churches do spend to much on their building and too little on the poor.

Answer 3

My own church is fairly modest. And as our vicar recently said from the pulpit, if the entire church building were to disappear altogether, there would still be a church. That's because the church is not made up of any particular building, but rather, the people.

However, another poster has made a good point about the temple of Solomon. There is a Biblical precedent for ornate buildings, as well as for solitary prayer in the wilderness.

Answer 4

Let's start with God being the lord of the universe. His majesty is deserving of only the finest of things. God is also a God of excellence, which was more than emphasized throughout the Old Testament. God asked the Israelites to build the most intricate and extravagent things for Him. Starting with the Ark of the Covenant which used all sorts of precious metals, stones, wood and cloth. The Temple's in Jerusalem are another example. The point is that God, being who He is, is deserving of the finest.

It isn't about being inspired to worship Him, it is about consecrating things to God that He is worthy of. Don't get me wrong, we can worship Him anywhere and in any condition.

[The Reference is Exodus 25 through 30, which is God's instructions to the Israelites for the Ark of the Covenant.]

Answer 5

All throughout the bible people were building the most ornate churches they possibly could. God asked it from them. Even before Jesus' time they were building beautiful churches. A good example of this is in the book Haggai. Christians build ornate churches to show their thanks to God for providing such bountiful supplies to build their place of worship. Some churches do get carried away, but in general they simply try to give back to God.

Answer 6

They are places of worship for large communities and symbols of a new level of civilization after Judaism. Men have to continuously advance physically and spiritually with the advent of a new Prophet.

Answer 7

People want to do everything they can to worship Jesus. A church is not only just a house of worship, it is also a house of God.

Answer 8

We don't, I have worshiped in someone home, in a storefront church and in metal prefab building. When there is the money for beautiful buildings, I say go for it. Ever hear of Solomons temple?

Answer 9

As a tribute to God don't you believe God deserves our very best? Buddhists have very elaborate places of worship You should see some of their hundred ft tall Buddhists monuments. BB

Answer 10

Now that christian supported research and mission work has completely eradicated starvation and disease in third world countries, I guess there is money left over to invest in real estate.