Yet tithing is a thing? Im sure if scientology had the numbers christianity had, dues would be cheap or free as well.

No they wouldn't. They're in business to make money. They aren't taking donations, they are charging. And they're going to charge as much as their market will bare.

Lololololol at the idea that major religions aren't business and money making oriented. Look at the opulence. Look at the wealth of officials and higher ups. Vatican, Mormon temples, super churches in the USA.

Naivety to say otherwise.

Are folks charged to walk in and sit down?

Surely you understand the difference between a contribution and a fee.

Anyhoo, who naively said other religions don't have lots of money.

Contributions that are expected. Remember when you could buy away your sins? Lolol.

(04-12-2015 08:22 PM)JDTulane Wrote:  Yet tithing is a thing? Im sure if scientology had the numbers christianity had, dues would be cheap or free as well.

You don't have to tithe. If you don't tithe, a church doesn't have some super secret section of the bible that they keep away from you.

We don't start people off in Daniel and then, after lots and lots of money and other acts of support, offer them the super secret book of Genesis.

You also say something about the numbers in Christianity, like it's a top-down organization. There are congregations with less than 10 people and they don't charge you for the word.

John...Im not a fan of organized religion...but...that is some weak sauce you are spreading on this topic.

Im not John.

(04-13-2015 08:03 AM)JDTulane Wrote:  Im not John.

Mark?

Jane

(04-10-2015 09:26 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  Was the documentary good and worth watching?

I found it to be a well made documentary. I think that captured the ethos of L. Ron Hubbard and shown how his original plan has transformed itself into an empire. You should watch it.

Hopefully it shows up on Amazon Prime soon.

(04-13-2015 08:52 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(04-13-2015 08:03 AM)JDTulane Wrote:  Im not John.

Mark?

More likely the Thomas of this thread.

Tithes are not mandatory in most religions. In some it is (like you said) expected. That's entirely wrong as tithes should come from the heart. But you do have to consider that churches are not money making organizations per se but depend on peoples contributions to pay the people and services to continue the ministry. If it wasn't for the congregants to tithe where would it get it's money? Surely not from the government or atheists but from the people it serves.

Look at it this way: You need a building-you need to pay rent or mortgage.
The building needs upkeep: You need to pay the custodians/maintenance people.
You need the minister: He has a family too and needs to eat and feed them.
You need electricity, heating, air conditioning: No one wants to be suffering from an uncomfortable setting.

JD, you're like my brother that just doesn't get it. He thinks because he gets government assistance that everyone/anything will also.

By the way, it's in the Bible that says that those who provide His Word through the teachings need to be paid and it's only Right.

(04-13-2015 08:03 AM)JDTulane Wrote:  Im not John.

My bad...still weak sauce JD.

(04-12-2015 05:20 PM)JDTulane Wrote:  We mock scientologists for being stupid/victims of an evil regime but I find it not that far off from regular organized religion.

This is like me saying, I find pedophilia not that far off from homosexuality.

(04-13-2015 05:51 AM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  John...Im not a fan of organized religion...but...that is some weak sauce you are spreading on this topic.

Agree. I'm very much non-religious, but scientology is nothing like other major organized religions.

While some churches may operate as money making ventures under the guise of a church, thousands of others are genuinely good organizations and do not deserve to be lumped in with the craziness that is scientology.

I've never been charged a cent to attend any church. I've only been charged the costs of materials if I attended specific Bible studies or seminars. Christians are supposed to tithe 10% of their earnings off the top. Anything extra is an offering.

Scientology charges you money to learn more and reach a higher rank in their "religion." You cannot progress in scientology without payment. In Christianity the price has already been paid, all you have to do is be accepting of grace.

(04-12-2015 07:24 PM)JDTulane Wrote:  

(04-12-2015 05:51 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(04-12-2015 05:20 PM)JDTulane Wrote:  We mock scientologists for being stupid/victims of an evil regime but I find it not that far off from regular organized religion.

Could that be because you're biased against it any way. Are you a neutral observer?

Raised in a happy devout Methodist home. No real negative experiences.


I find scientology no more far fetched than young earth creationism for example and we have YECs on this very board.

Most Christians aren't even aware that the Bible tells us repeatedly the Earth and stars are "made of old" stuff.

Much like Adam. He was not created as a baby, he was formed from the soil as a grown adult man. He was one day old but any doctor would have examined him and said he was over 18-21 years old.

Its the same creation principle with the foundations of the earth and the stars. They are actually 6000 ish years old, but any scientific examination would logically conclude they are billions of years old.

(04-15-2015 03:01 PM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  

(04-12-2015 07:24 PM)JDTulane Wrote:  

(04-12-2015 05:51 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(04-12-2015 05:20 PM)JDTulane Wrote:  We mock scientologists for being stupid/victims of an evil regime but I find it not that far off from regular organized religion.

Could that be because you're biased against it any way. Are you a neutral observer?

Raised in a happy devout Methodist home. No real negative experiences.


I find scientology no more far fetched than young earth creationism for example and we have YECs on this very board.

Most Christians aren't even aware that the Bible tells us repeatedly the Earth and stars are "made of old" stuff.

Much like Adam. He was not created as baby, he was formed from the soil as a grown adult man. He was one day old but any doctor would have examined him and said he was over 18-21 years old.

Its the same creation principle with the foundations of the earth and the stars. They are actually 6000 ish years old, but any scientific examination would logically conclude they are billions of years old.