Is the promise of salvation just a sales pitch to try and get the gullible to bring money to the church?

Answer 1

No, it's not merely that, although that's a good portion of it.

Look at the way they talk about themselves and their Lord-- they are the Sheep, and He is their Shepherd, right? The 23rd Psalm and all that parable jive?

Well think about this-- what's His motive? There's only *three* reasons that a Shepherd cares for the Sheep--
One-- to Fleece them,
Two, to F*** them,
and/or Three, to lead their wagging little tails to the SLAUGHTERHOUSE!

Me, I like a nice wool blanket. I like a nice lamb chop, or mutton roast. So I *thank* the Shepherd for doing his job in numbers One and Three. What he does on the Second count isn't really my business, as long as I don't have to watch and it doesn't scare the horses.

Besides, an All-Knowing God must have pre-determined that they be fleeced, f***ed and slaughtered-- otherwise He wouldn't have had them to be born as Sheep in the FIRST PLACE, right???

But you're thinking on the right track, and you're quite right to be suspicious of *anyone* who puts themselves forward as a Shepherd!

Answer 2

It depends on what religion you're listening to, I suppose. In the medieval period, the Catholic Church sold "indulgences," which were basically either pardons or "reduced sentences" for time in purgatory. This practice got so extreme, actually producing some of the first "commercial jingles," that it prompted Martin Luther to begin his protest. But even then, I could not tell you if the Catholic heirarchy sincerely believed they were selling spiritual pardons or if the whole thing was a deliberate con job.

I do know that the Bible NOWHERE claims that money given to the church will secure or even partial aid someone's salvation. That idea is completely false to the Bible, and anyone preaching such an idea would fall under the thundering condemnation Paul dropped in the book of Galatians.

Biblically, the giving of money to the church should be simply a joyous response by Christians to God's wonderful grace and mercy.

And, of course, the church receiving the money should use it for relevant causes such as missionaries. I have to wonder about churches that use their money to build ever-more-elaborate cathedrals, or provide the pastor with yet another limosine, as if they think external impressiveness will somehow convince people the gospel is true.

How many people today would still go to church if it meant doing it like early Christians -- meeting in underground tombs surrounded by dead bodies, because if they met in public they'd be arrested, tortured, killed...?

I got a little off-topic, but I repeat, any church claiming that money will buy salvation is downright evil.

Answer 3

How does that explain the many Churches that do not rely on donations? And what "Church" is benefiting? With a few exceptions, most denominations maintain financially independent congregations. The only "church" that is bringing in money is the church that is giving it in the first place. All of the records are available to the congregation, including the salaries of the clergy, and it the people making the donations are the ones who decide where the money goes.

And I have never encountered any church that made salvation contingent on financial contributions. In fact, every church I have ever encountered went out of their way to push giving and salvation as far apart as possible.

Answer 4

I am a Protestant and believer in the general doctrines of justification and salvation, however, I am not in agreement with some of the methodology used to preach salvation or to bring people into the church. Most of what you've probably heard today is a message saying, "just believe" or "it's so easy." That is not the message of Christ. Chances are, these preachers never told you to take up your cross daily, deny yourself and follow him. Such a message wouldn't sell in this narcissistic culture.

Answer 5

Is the idea of having a super bowl champ the reason people go to football games? Probably. One does have to take money to a church to get salvation. Salvation is there and it can not be bought.

Answer 6

No. How do you think of the church homes might get their money to pay their expenses if the parishioners did no longer make contributions portion of what they make? in step with risk have bake sales each and every Saturday? Get a grip. maximum Protestant church homes, besides, might close their doorways very at as quickly as though they did no longer get money from the folk who take a seat in the pews. So might maximum Catholic church homes (who don't get money from the Vatican, by using the way, and are not as wealthy as maximum human beings think of they're). so a techniques as cults and different communities are worried I haven't any theory what their racket is so why do no longer you ask them in my view.

Answer 7

Nope you can be on your death bed lived a life of sin, never gave a cent to a anyone except Jesus and he will still set you free.
Keep in mind what Christians do with that money. When you drive down the street and see hospitals, they have Christian Names on them Why they built them, Food drives, homeless people, third world medication the list can goes on and on. Yes some people abuse Gods Money they are not Christian though they are crooks, but it is apparent that most do not. And you can see it every where you go. Christians are giving people that care for man kind.

Answer 8

Did you think you could buy salvation by taking money to the church?
Whoever told you that is a liar.
Jesus never asked for money, not even when He went about preaching and healing. He never "passed the hat"...

Answer 9

The promise of salvation has nothing to do with church. It is a promise from God that we will live eternal life in heaven if we believe and accept His Son as our Savior, repent of our sins and ask God to forgive us.
Tithes are discussed in the Bible as a sign of obedience to God. We are supposed to give 10% of our earnings to God by way of any church, organization or cause working to further God's kingdom.
I can be a member of a church, and give my tithes to the Billy Graham Foundation and still be obedient to God. God does tell us to fellowship with other members of God's kingdom, and a good Christian church is a great place to do that. But if you're feeding the hungry in Africa, you could certainly tithe there as well.

Answer 10

That and political control. Power is not just about money. Wealth is only one part of power. Having the ability to demand your will gets done is what power is about.
Material wealth is part of it but voters and soldiers are part of it too.
Nice picture of the Soma Mushroom, amanita muscaria by the way. Several of the Siberian native religions were based on the abuse of it. The North American varieties are not safe though. There seem to be some differences in the toxins they contain.