christianity needs to become commercial ?

kronas · 18-04-2005, 18:02

it seems in america for years evangelicism is starting to rapidly increase by the commercial bonds holding it together, indeed the channels which americans watch the advertisments they see are encroaching towards religion being available to all, but what has become of this religion in the US ?

it seems to have spread variably from state to state by influences in commercial ways, DVD's, books, audio tapes.

but is it right for big corporate compaines to take advantage of this ?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7346446/

Russ · 18-04-2005, 18:13

There's nothing wrong with making money as long as it's used wisely and legitimately.

kronas · 18-04-2005, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

There's nothing wrong with making money as long as it's used wisely and legitimately.

lining the pockets and coffers of people and companys though ?

Russ · 18-04-2005, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronas

lining the pockets and coffers of people and companys though ?

This why I said "as long as it's used wisely" - the example you've given is not what I'd call wise.

kronas · 18-04-2005, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

This why I said "as long as it's used wisely" - the example you've given is not what I'd call wise.

yes and im just saying that i wonder if its going to become the progressive norm for religon itself, commercialise everything to try and reach new audiences as the case has been found with christianity, before you say it im not singling it out just showing you what im sure you already knew and certainly i did.

Russ · 18-04-2005, 18:33

Again, commercialisation is not neccessarily a bad thing IMO providing it is ethical.

Stuart · 18-04-2005, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Again, commercialisation is not neccessarily a bad thing IMO providing it is ethical.

Agreed.

However, some evangelists in America are not ethical... But, then I think those sort of people use religion as an excuse to make money, and are not truly faithful.

Russ · 18-04-2005, 18:45

As most people know, religion is used as the excuse for many things, so making money out of it doesn't surprise me.

18-04-2005, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronas

lining the pockets and coffers of people and companys though ?

If my pockets weren't being 'lined' due to commercial activity I'd soon be destitute!

And if companies didn't make money they wouldn't exist and people wouldn't have jobs etc...

Is this issue about the commercialisation of christianity or the christianisation of commerce?

I think religion for financial gain is wrong - but that doesn't mean religion in financial gain is. I'd expect any company that claims to hold 'christian values' to prove this by being equitable in their staff and pay policies - or to show this in the way they serve their customers. And I'd expect them to show it towards the community in which they operate.

punky · 18-04-2005, 19:44

Ever since religion were founded, they have needed money. Money for churches , priests, etc (or religious equivilents). In the past donations were big, when people were literally more god-fearing. I think in Judaisim people had to donate a fixed percentage of their total earnings (15% I think?) to the synagogue. Now things have changed, and religions need to find new ways of making money, as church attendance goes down, so does donations.

Russ · 18-04-2005, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Ever since religion were founded, they have needed money. Money for churches , priests, etc (or religious equivilents)..

You sure about that??

The bible says we are to donate the first 10% of our 'harvest', there is no "need" to though.

punky · 18-04-2005, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

You sure about that??

The bible says we are to donate the first 10% of our 'harvest', there is no "need" to though.

Well what you say there.. "We are to" makes it sound compulsary.

I wasn't making that point. What I was saying is a priests can't live on oxygen. Churches may be on their own land, but I am sure they don't get electricity, water etc free. Churches don't repair themselves. Wine and wafers for communion don't fall out the sky like that might have done before. Even in the modern age, with the church caring for old parishoner in the community. All these things cost money, and that money is provided by donations to the church.

I thought it was logical, I wern't trying to have a pop or anything.

That is different from the arse**** like Falwell, who don't get donations to the church, but to themselves.