this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2025
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I wanted to say something about this because it dont think this has ever happened? Can you give me an example?
People dont go to churches or give money to churches that they believe are profiteering. Ill concede that some large church's have bad leadership who are greedy, no doubt. But if the congregation assumes something of the like, tithing and attendance is likely going to dry up.
Ok... going to back up, because what you said could be true maybe about the catholic church? or a different denomination maybe? What im talking about is non-denominational churches specifically.
Sure! I'll be transparent with you, I could probably stand to memorize my history a little bit more, BUT...this is going a little bit far back.
There's actually a REALLY GOOD pair of podcast episodes by "Behind the Bastards" called "How the Rich Ate Christianity."
Part 1: https://youtu.be/gyHd6wEC4IE
Part 2: https://youtu.be/LL8s7N0TU-c
It does a very good job of detailing how churches back in the day just didn't have the sorry reputation they have today among the general public.
The rich-n-powerful of the time actually considered Christians to be pesky bleeding-heart socialists that hurt their plans for maximum wealth extraction. Churches were busy feeding their communities and protesting landlords and stuff, rather than worshiping work.
So the fatcats got together and worked to supplant churches of MANY denominations by sneaking in pro-capitalism doctrine in exchange for financial support, for instance. It's where we started hearing this absolutely bananas idea that God shows His love and approval by making one wealthy. (?!?!?!?)
As well as "preaching" about individualism instead of community and looking out for ones' neighbors.
Along with lots of other weird nonsense like I heard in my non-denom circles growing up, like :
"Oh, the 'eye of a needle' was actually some kind of weird gate in the city walls that camels had to awkwardly pass through, so uh, it's not impossible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and be wealthy, just uh, difficult! Yeah! You have to be worthy of handling the wealth! But you can be rich, yes!"
(Zero anthropologic / archeological / literary / theological / historical support for this notion.)
So that's what I meant about good churches doing God's work getting "replaced" with profit-friendly religiously-flavored feelgood self-help seminar campuses.
I hope that helps explain where I was pulling that from! :)