(May 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm)Rhythm Wrote: What use does the lord of the cosmos have for money,"Money" is the greatest competing deity God has for the hearts and minds of all us. The fact that we can give away this other deity's essence shows we are not bound to it. So what does the Lord of all creation need with money? Nothing. So why does He ask for it? So you may know in whom you have given your heart.
Quote:and why would the representatives of such a being find themselves so strapped for cash?Because God does not teach a prosperity gospel.
Quote: Why not worship in your homes?you can but this does not mean their isn't still need outside of your home.
Quote: Surely a literalist so well read on the matter would be able to find ample "biblical support" for such a practice? A temple is a pretty pagan holdover for your religion to carry around.Actually a temple is a nomadic Jewish hold over as the were instructed to build a "Holy tent" to worship God in, when the wandered the wilderness.
Quote:Tiny little gods needed houses, that's where they were and where they lived you see. Your's is everywhere (or so I'm told). Obviously these temples are built for men, not god.Yes they still are.
Quote: But then one has to ask, why would we require an intermediary, isn't the whole point to have a personal relationship?That is the end goal but having a building to worship in facilitates all of the minor steps that help one achieve that end goal.
Quote:Tithing is a fucking scam meant to support the business of religion, not the practice of religion."Maybe, it's a little bit of both, maybe these two things are happening at the exact same time."
-Forrest Gump.
He was talking about destiny verses the randomness of an unscripted life (hence box of chocolates) But that is a sound observation that applies here as well. We are commanded to give, to help us develop the relationship we all need to have, and the funds given in turn provide the atmosphere to allow us to foster said relationship.
