Why do people think religion is successful if its members are increasing? Shouldn't success depend on whether

Question

a religion accomplishes some good, not whether it makes money, or gains converts by pulling the wool over the eyes of a lot of fools,

Answer 1

You have made a good arguement. :)

Answer 2

In today's world we have changed alot. I know love and God are still here on Earth. Today our family structures are different, our views have been opened to new aspects toward people. If a religion is prejudice against certain groups of people, tells you not to eat certain things on certain days or what to wear or that if you don't believe in this religion, you will go to hell. I think the point is being missed on why religion is formed. It is to bring God and Love and when you replace them the meaning of the religion is lost. I think woman are equal to men and many religions don't. I think God should do the judging and not the followers of a certain religion on who is going to hell. When the churches ask for money it is to go and help the needy, right? So it is successful if they can put their efforts together and help, no matter what the size of their congregation.

Answer 3

Yes, but numbers are easy to, well, quantify. Look, I don't lead others to Jesus, especially on here. I figure, if you can turn on a computer, you live in a fairly industrialized society and possess the limited intellectual capabilities to read. With the bible written in every language known to man now, the rest is on you. I'm just here to defend the faithful and do what needs doing, whether that is helping old ladies or beating the crap out of people for mocking my beliefs, my days are always filled.

Answer 4

I am a minister at my church and a philosphy major at my current college.

I think most churches think they are succesful when members are increasing is because if more members are coming to church, then more people are coming to God.

Do they take into consideration that people may be leaving other churches to attend theirs. If so do they think their church is the right church. There are so many unanswered questions.

For most churches they do not base their success over it making money because not all members tithe to the church. You also need to remember most churches, the decent ones put the money right back into the church. Look at most pastor's in even the biggest churches. They almost never have a very high salary.

Answer 5

I think the answer lies in the way Americans in a whole view things. Americans see quality in quantity. When someone has a lot of money here they are "well-off" by our standards. I do not think this is just limited to religious people. I mean when you order shrimp, the more you get the better right??

Please do not think I am bashing Americans as I am one and I love my country dearly!

Answer 6

Religion controls the masses. If devotees increase in number, the basal purpose is served. More converts = more control = SUCCESS!

Those of us who see through the stinking heap of dogmatic drivel are no doubt deemed failures by the zealots (smirk).

Answer 7

Your first point is very good as God speaks over & over about a remnant, 'wide is the road to damnation, narrow the road of righteousness' comes to mind. another Bible reference: Romans 15:17-18 among others like it.

But what's your definition of "good"? Just as Paul indicates, all the good works He did before he was connected to Christ are like rubbish (Look at his impressive resume Philippians 3:2-11)! If a church as a whole is not believing, trusting & teaching that by God's GRACE ALONE, through FAITH in Jesus Christ ALONE, as written in SCRIPTURE ALONE each person is saved, even their "good works" are like rubbish.

Speaking from experience I was part of a church that held to the mentality you mentioned too. Very annoying, infuriating even. I found comfort in the objectivity of the LCMS Lutheran faith (although some of them are compromising too--it was an LCMS church we left, but a faithful LCMS church we found). For more: www.lcms.org >Belief & Practice.

Answer 8

Religion means "retie" or "bind fast."

Matthew 25 lists these charitable activities.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"

The words here for 'invited me in' literally mean 'to lead with.' What businessperson would leave a person as a stranger and just point them on their way? They would try and find out who they were and who their family way. They're more interested in "placing" people than in the unselfish edification of all whom they may meet.

Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Answer 9

Not numbers, not doing good, but if it takes a sinner like me and gives me a place to go besides death, then it's 'successful'.

I think that it's successful if God keeps His promises.

Answer 10

Yes, but that's what religion is all about; creating a social environment, gaining influence over others and teaching them how to judge others(and insisting they are not).
Live well..........
illuminostic

Answer 11

Religions fill their pews and fill their offering plates till they overflow, BECAUSE they make it EASY and LAZY to get to heaven ACCORDING to THEM "not" ACCORDING to GOD in heaven. How do you expect them to SURVIVE to BEG another day if they did the things of JESUS? Nobody wants to get CRUCIFIED, and is WHY religions do it in the ways of the WORLD....................