(January 27, 2015 at 2:28 pm)Esquilax Wrote:(January 27, 2015 at 2:01 pm)SteveII Wrote: Do you really believe that Christianity evolved and continues because of the money? My friends in Africa running a home for disabled children will not be happy you discovered their long game.
Money and power, coupled with ignorance. It's a more complex scenario than the simplistic, one note answer you want me to give, but I do find it conspicuous that so much of the christian literature values tithing and confers so much authority to the priesthood and power structure of the religion.
As to your friends in Africa, that's not even a real response: finding isolated examples of the contra-positive, in the modern day, does not prove that the entirety of christianity from the beginning was a charitable enterprise alone. Maybe try toning down the manipulative language and actually think, for a bit? Because if you can really look at the obscene wealth of the Vatican, the huge salaries that successful preachers pull directly out of the pockets of their congregation, and the merchandising spree that is christian apologetics, and say that there isn't a hugely profitable market in your religion, then you're too far gone to talk to.
Oh, and saying those examples aren't true christians is.... another assertion, not an argument.
I am sure you have read the NT. Can you find anything to support your claim that Christianity is about money? I think the teachings on greed and self-sacrifice are pretty clear. Do you think it wrong for me to assess whether someones actions mirror that of the teachings in the NT and then say they were not behaving like a Christian.