The Problem of Pain – C. S. Lewis (1940)
Flicking through the late-night television channels I came across one devoted to religion and was fascinated with the way the masses are assembled, especially in America. At one rally the huge stadium was packed to the rafters with a multitude of people constantly doing the rounds with collection dishes that were overflowing with paper money let alone the coin’s underneath.
This, as I am sure we are all aware is big business, profitable and as it turns out lucrative for the instigators. Internet searches readily provide financial information on this devotion to God. In just one organisation alone monetary donations are in the region of 90%, that is money given in good faith, supposedly to benefit the community, the church family and the needy, yet 10% of the income goes on administration and over 80% is paid out on ministry expenses and salaries are especially high for the founding members and their chosen few.
To put this in perspective let’s look at some of the richest people connected to religion.
- Billy Graham … American Southern Baptist evangelist has a net worth $25 million, not bad for a kid born on a dairy farm.
- Bishop Eddie Long … senior pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has a net worth of $5 million thus taking advantage of church tax exemptions.
- Benny Hinn … Israeli televangelist has an estimated net worth of $40 million. His regular “Miracle Crusades” – revival meeting/faith healing summits that are usually held in large stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide.
The more I looked into it the more I realised that for many the self-surrender to God was also a very lucrative occupation and the ticket to a luxurious lifestyle many of those making the donations could only dream about.