I asked a friend a few years ago as he was a very active Catholic. He reminded me that the Catholic church was the largest charitable organization in the world. I did Google and what I saw seemed to confirm this. If they are truly giving to those in need it is hard to be overly critical of them in this matter.
A lot of it (certainly not all) is more cultural stewardship than wealth. Someone needs to take care of the art they have so everyone can enjoy it.
I’m atheist – I agree with your implicit assertion that it’s hypocritical for the church to have so much wealth in general. But the Vatican? Eh – what are they going to do? Auction off the Sistine chapel to Jeff Bezos?
This is one of the most ludicrous questions that gets asked. If you want to critique the church there are actual grounds for that, especially on authoritarianism and the abuse crisis. “Wealth” isn’t one of those grounds
The Church’s “wealth” is mostly priceless stuff like art and architecture. Those of us (and this would be anyone sane) who love western civilization and fine art and music and value Michelangelo, or Caravaggio, or a literal HOST of others don’t consider this the church hoarding art. Far from it. The Church makes this art widely available, and for free.
Also, the Roman Catholic Church is the world’s largest provider of health and human services, outside of all the worlds governments basically put together.
When we think of American “christians” most of us are thinking baptists or evangelical protestants (these are the same thing). It’s an odd incoherent mishmash of Luther and Calvin and has inherited a great deal of iconoclasm and anti-intellectualism. But I for one would expect my church to be beautiful, prayerful, and support great art and artists in the service of God. Evangelicals have great wealth too. It’s just in the pastors fleet of cars and mansion and food court in the ludicrous mall like meeting space.
Given the rise of Trumpism and its close relationship with evangelical protestant and other errors, I am staring to get frustrated with the idiocy. Perhaps you would advocate selling the patrimony of western civilization to the billionaires so we can no longer share it. I would rather die than see that happen.
Because the entire point of the Church was to gain wealth. Its why they did Indulgence.
At first, religion was a way to explain the natural world. They gave personality and voice to the winds, the earth, the fields and grass, even the air. But then, people realized you could control people, and enrich yourself, with religion.
The vactican is prime proof there is no god, because if there were and he was as vengeful as they claim, he would be turning the city into a burning husk for all of its buggery and theft.
2)The Vatican isn’t as wealthy as people think it is. The Vatican’s net worth is around 10-15 billion dollars. That might seem a lot but for a nation it actually isn’t. When you compare that to other nations large and small it’s a drop in the bucket. The net worth of the United States of America for example 136 trillion dollars. The net worth of Jamaica as a small island nation is 33 billion dollars. 20 billion more than the Vatican even though it is a small developing country.
Firstly Christian’s thoughts are irrelevant that’s a Catholic issue. Secondly, you want Elon to have it? Or some other worthless piece of shit? Lastly, who does more charity work than the Catholic Church?
They’ve accumulated their wealth over time in some questionable means in the past, and possibly present but they also have a lot of donors who feel the need to prop up the church just like any other church.
Comments
Because their wealth is from donations
Having a lot of money isn’t necessarily greedy in and of itself, it’s what you do with it that matters
Its not ok to all Christians
That’s why Protestantism is a thing
I asked a friend a few years ago as he was a very active Catholic. He reminded me that the Catholic church was the largest charitable organization in the world. I did Google and what I saw seemed to confirm this. If they are truly giving to those in need it is hard to be overly critical of them in this matter.
A lot of it (certainly not all) is more cultural stewardship than wealth. Someone needs to take care of the art they have so everyone can enjoy it.
I’m atheist – I agree with your implicit assertion that it’s hypocritical for the church to have so much wealth in general. But the Vatican? Eh – what are they going to do? Auction off the Sistine chapel to Jeff Bezos?
I feel like those who are the most religious are the most greedy.
If the Vatican liquidated it’s entire real estate holdings it could end world hunger several times over! Praise the unseen and reclusive god.
Fun, or not so fun, fact. The Mormons have more than double the catholic church.
Because religious people are delusional hypocrites
This is one of the most ludicrous questions that gets asked. If you want to critique the church there are actual grounds for that, especially on authoritarianism and the abuse crisis. “Wealth” isn’t one of those grounds
The Church’s “wealth” is mostly priceless stuff like art and architecture. Those of us (and this would be anyone sane) who love western civilization and fine art and music and value Michelangelo, or Caravaggio, or a literal HOST of others don’t consider this the church hoarding art. Far from it. The Church makes this art widely available, and for free.
Also, the Roman Catholic Church is the world’s largest provider of health and human services, outside of all the worlds governments basically put together.
When we think of American “christians” most of us are thinking baptists or evangelical protestants (these are the same thing). It’s an odd incoherent mishmash of Luther and Calvin and has inherited a great deal of iconoclasm and anti-intellectualism. But I for one would expect my church to be beautiful, prayerful, and support great art and artists in the service of God. Evangelicals have great wealth too. It’s just in the pastors fleet of cars and mansion and food court in the ludicrous mall like meeting space.
Given the rise of Trumpism and its close relationship with evangelical protestant and other errors, I am staring to get frustrated with the idiocy. Perhaps you would advocate selling the patrimony of western civilization to the billionaires so we can no longer share it. I would rather die than see that happen.
Tax the churches.
Tax the businesses owned by the churches.
We’d all benefit from it.
Better infrastructure, better health & education services.
Having money and greed aren’t the same thing
Tax the churches and religious orgs
I think solely on the fact that the Vatican is CATHOLIC.
Because the entire point of the Church was to gain wealth. Its why they did Indulgence.
At first, religion was a way to explain the natural world. They gave personality and voice to the winds, the earth, the fields and grass, even the air. But then, people realized you could control people, and enrich yourself, with religion.
The vactican is prime proof there is no god, because if there were and he was as vengeful as they claim, he would be turning the city into a burning husk for all of its buggery and theft.
Gods ways is mysterious…
Because many Christians have literally no idea what their book says.
What?! Are you implying religion has hypocrisy built in? Im shocked
1)Not all Christians are Catholic
2)The Vatican isn’t as wealthy as people think it is. The Vatican’s net worth is around 10-15 billion dollars. That might seem a lot but for a nation it actually isn’t. When you compare that to other nations large and small it’s a drop in the bucket. The net worth of the United States of America for example 136 trillion dollars. The net worth of Jamaica as a small island nation is 33 billion dollars. 20 billion more than the Vatican even though it is a small developing country.
Well one of the first things Francis did was open the Vatican to the homeless
Firstly Christian’s thoughts are irrelevant that’s a Catholic issue. Secondly, you want Elon to have it? Or some other worthless piece of shit? Lastly, who does more charity work than the Catholic Church?
They’ve accumulated their wealth over time in some questionable means in the past, and possibly present but they also have a lot of donors who feel the need to prop up the church just like any other church.
It’s not greed cause God.