Was Jesus a rabble rouser who hated and hates the greed of his church?

Question

Was Jesus a rabble rouser who hated and hates the greed of his church?

I witness ministers, preachers, and other clergy living in big houses, with large families, driving Cadillacs and SUVs while making poor people who live in trailer parks pay tithing or feel guilty for not contributing.

I witness monstrous expenditures of cash by church leaders to build cathedrals, and yet
Jesus did not speak of Churches as being buildings. He said that a church was two or more people speaking about him. Jesus spend most of his time outside of buildings preaching. He preached in what believers should really consider holy ground--nature. Buildings are man made constructs, so why are they supposed to be considered holier than natural surroundings made more directly by the Creator?

Churches that have cushioned seats also tell me that the parishioners care more about their comfort than about their beliefs. They probably would not attend if it were uncomfortable.

Think of all the crusading they could do with tithings if parishioners sat on an inexpensive patch of grass somewhere instead of in a fancy, expensive building decorated with expensive comfortable furniture.

Hypocrisy!

Jesus himself overturned the tithing piles in his synagogues and called the money changing church leaders thieves, liars, cheats, and hypocrites. Maybe Jesus was killed because he was an atheist pointing out the fallacy in the religious belief of his time. Maybe his deeds were so outrageous that 70 years later people that heard about them wanted to start a church based on him because his actions hit a chord of truth.

Perhaps when Jesus said he was a son of God, he was merely declaring his own right to speak and assert morality to counter the hypocrisy of those that called themselves prophets. Perhaps he said that all humans are children of God and did not therefor need to be subjugated by those religious leaders who thought themselves superior.

If Jesus existed, which I do not believe, perhaps he was a rebellious rabble rouser that extolled a morality based on freedom which threatened religions that were bent on controlling people. If this is so, I wonder how Jesus would feel if he knew that Christianity is as bad or worse than the religions of his day.

If Jesus was killed for pointing out the flaws in organized religion, he was not the last. Martin Luther’s life was almost ended by a Catholic Church that desired money and saw him as a threat to their bottom line. William Tyndale, another translator of the bible, was burned at the stake. Likewise was the fate of John Thomas Mathew Rogers. Then of course we know of Joan of Arc.

Modern atheists appear to be the critics of organized religions today who are vilified and whom many religious people believe are doomed to hell. Burning at the stake is no longer allowed in America, so all religious people here can do is tell that we will burn in eternity after earthly life. S

Scare tactics not unlike terrorism.

Answer 1

OK. I read the whole question. You see the truth more than most people. You may not believe in God, I do. I will say this: you do see and address the many, many flaws in religion. To me, as a Christian, a "religion" is nothing more than a set of laws, rules, and instructions told to people that, if followed, will get them closer to God. What rubbish!!!
If one were to truly interpret the Bible they would find out one thing and one thing only: to love.

Answer 2

I think you have a point, Christianity is really a religion of the poor, but I don't think you should be too harsh on people because they want comfortable seats to sit on. My guess is those who would benefit the most from them (the elderly and infirm) are probably the ones who have also made the biggest sacrifices in life. I suspect the ones who would be put off are also the ones who haven't yet had to make big sacrifices in life.
There are also many churches around which aren't at all what you describe. I think you should take the time to go to some.
One of the sad realities in life is a church must, ironically, run at a profit. I know it sounds stupid, but the alternative is to run at a loss, and to many years of that and the church will end up bankrupt and then won't be able to worship God at all. The point being that heating, lighting, comfortable seats, a clean shaven preacher wearing a suit, etc, are all part of the marketing.

Answer 3

They are Christians simply by accepting Jesus into their hearts, getting baptized and repenting often. Only Catholics believe you also have to perform good deeds to get inot heaven. Most non-Catholics take the "lazy man's way to salvation". The Westboro baptists are no different than the rest.

Answer 4

I agree with most of what you just stated...The entire New Testament epistles and prophetic books are written to warn the disciples of Christ to be careful of these very pitfalls you mentioned. We are each the temple of God, His church where ever we are gathered for a purpose in His name. Its a blessing that you have such clarity of vision that you can see that. I believe Jesus does hate the modern version of what has become of His church..it profanes His name and makes a mockery of His sacrifice for us. Love in Christ, ~J~

Answer 5

your details for your question is very, very long. i get the point, though, and i do believe that the people you describe are profound hypocrites. it all makes me sick, to be honest.
btw, i thought that the christian religion emphasized that neither god or jesus have hate for us. now THAT is hypocrisy, when 'good christians' claim to hate certain groups or people.
ugh.

Answer 6

Very observant. I agree with your statements and answer 'yes' to your question (if in fact Jesus ever existed).

Answer 7

Jesus is the church. Those who believe in him are the members of this church, he is not a building down the street.

There is no greed in Jesus nor his church, you must be talking about all the other churches.

Answer 8

Take a deep breath and relax. The only person you need to worry about is yourself.

Answer 9

Jesus was fortold in the torrah he forfilled many prophasies there is not doubt he is God. he said many times '' I am'' God. I am was the name for God as that was what God told moses at the burning bush tell isreal that I am has sent you.

Answer 10

Jesus loves you.