Sunday, August 15, 2010
Money Money
One of the issues I have with The Catholic Church is the amount of money that is just sitting there in the form of gold, silver, marble, etc etc. On one hand I can definitely understand using some of the most precious metals as a sign of respect to a Being that is much more powerful than us and one that deserves such reverence. However, on the other hand I don't think God cares if His Word is in gold or bound in just a normal book. Jesus tells some people who want to follow Him to give their earthly possessions to the poor and follow. I see billions of dollars across the globe sitting in churches helping no one, while that money could be used for outreach programs like food services to the needy or something like setting up orphanages. Like I said, I can see the reverence argument, but I think I lean more towards selling or melting down all the gold and silver and using the proceeds to actually help people in need, which is what, I think, God really wants.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
MONEY!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDamn it, Jim, what did you say in that post?
ReplyDeleteI would tend to agree with you on this point. However, I think that throughout human history, the Christian faith has inspired artists and architects and other creative minds to do some pretty amazing, albeit extravagant things, such as all of the great medieval cathedrals and stuff like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. That was I guess part of the contradiction and hypocrisy of the Christian Church during the Middle Ages--creating such hugely expensive works in the name of the church, while there was obscene amounts of poverty everywhere (a much bigger percentage than there is now in the Western world).
But yes, I agree with your point completely. That just seems to be how human history has played out. The poor have always been poor, and I honestly suspect they will always be poor. At least more people seem to be wanting to help them in the last century or so (maybe), but at the same time their numbers grow exponentially.
bywhopower.com! (the crazy "priest's" website where he sells t-shirts and crap)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree on this as well. As awesome as great works of art in honor of the church were, I don't see many Sistene Chapel sequels being commissioned these days. Again, I reference the jumbo TV screens and rather horrific-looking super-churches like the one along Route 7, because the cathedrals and temples around the world appear to be a part of a completely differently religion when compared to these stadium, western-world churches. For all the riches in Loudoun County, I think they can spare a little square footage on their churches and give it humanitarian and outreach programs. I mean what are the basic needs of a church? A cross, perhaps some pews, and punch and cookies for after the service.
Haha, that seems to be how architecture is going anyways. Bigger but not necessarily built to last. How many centuries will these crappy super-churches last compared to cathedrals? How many years will the houses last in Beacon Hill versus my house or your house?
ReplyDeleteAnd, for your info, I'm at work on the Sistene Chapel sequel in my basement in the room where we keep the sleds. Keep out!