Sadly, the preacher often wants the generous offering… without GIVING anything in return. It’s one of the only businesses where you don’t get what you pay for.
junco49, you took my comment right off my keyboard. I think churches should be subject to the same rules as fortune tellers (who are not allowed to operate openly in some places because they’re considered fraudulent) because the afterlife cannot be proved any more than meeting a tall, dark stranger can.
Guys, I admit that there are a lot of charlatans out there, and I admit that if you don’t believe in God, you will find no redeeming qualities in ministers.
BUT, I am a priest (Episcopal), and I will tell a) I do not spend my time begging or threatening for money even though we are constantly on the edge of solvency. We have an annual pledge drive, and I don’t know who gives what (if anything). b) I do more than preach (though I love preaching). On the practical side alone, we run a highly successful reading program (no proselytizing) for kids who are having trouble. We work in the homeless shelter, the food pantry, and a home-repair ministry that helps the weak and elderly stay in their homes.
Whether you believe what I believe or not is irrelevant - these services - along with many others that benefit our society on a purely temporal level - are not a scam.
It all belongs to God anyway. It works this way. If you want love, you give love. If you want money, you give money, If you want real happiness and peace you have to give it to others. The more you give the more your receive,; and there’s a difference between “get” and “receive. “Get” is a measure-for measure of calculated return. “Receive” is the reward of a gift returned in the spirit it was given.
Nebulous Premium Member almost 14 years ago
He’s only asking for a tenth of what you have. Not Everything.
Superfrog almost 14 years ago
Yeah, I’ve been chugged by the charity muggers.
odeliasimone almost 14 years ago
Oh, but the TV preacher’s promise me ALOT in return. If only I send them all I have, then GOD will send me lots of money right back..!
They call it the “prosperity gospel”.
starlilies almost 14 years ago
I heard of a church who made you feel this way - just without the gun….
SaunaBeach almost 14 years ago
That gun is not loaded. I know!
makemlaugh almost 14 years ago
Sadly, the preacher often wants the generous offering… without GIVING anything in return. It’s one of the only businesses where you don’t get what you pay for.
junco49 almost 14 years ago
The little sign that pops out when he pulls the trigger says “You’re going to hell if you don’t pay.” or “God hates you when you don’t give.”
runar almost 14 years ago
junco49, you took my comment right off my keyboard. I think churches should be subject to the same rules as fortune tellers (who are not allowed to operate openly in some places because they’re considered fraudulent) because the afterlife cannot be proved any more than meeting a tall, dark stranger can.
cdward almost 14 years ago
Guys, I admit that there are a lot of charlatans out there, and I admit that if you don’t believe in God, you will find no redeeming qualities in ministers. BUT, I am a priest (Episcopal), and I will tell a) I do not spend my time begging or threatening for money even though we are constantly on the edge of solvency. We have an annual pledge drive, and I don’t know who gives what (if anything). b) I do more than preach (though I love preaching). On the practical side alone, we run a highly successful reading program (no proselytizing) for kids who are having trouble. We work in the homeless shelter, the food pantry, and a home-repair ministry that helps the weak and elderly stay in their homes. Whether you believe what I believe or not is irrelevant - these services - along with many others that benefit our society on a purely temporal level - are not a scam.
rgcviper almost 14 years ago
LOL, gayfatnakedvet …
Or maybe it’s a toilet seat?
nz4m60 almost 14 years ago
It all belongs to God anyway. It works this way. If you want love, you give love. If you want money, you give money, If you want real happiness and peace you have to give it to others. The more you give the more your receive,; and there’s a difference between “get” and “receive. “Get” is a measure-for measure of calculated return. “Receive” is the reward of a gift returned in the spirit it was given.