Religion is big business

Twilight Hue · Nov 17, 2012

Driving around the country bout two months now i noticed scores of billboards, lavish establishments, tons of adverts peddling this and that. All that caused me to admit that religion has much in common with corporate methodology in peddling its services and selling goods, services and wares and the public promotion of various organisers, clergy, and speakers.

Do you have any personal comments concerning the cottage industry aspect of numerous organised religions?

Is it a beneficial undertaking or does it seem a bit overboard?

Personally it seems people like to get on the bandwagon, toot their horns, and make some money while at it.

While most were Christian, there was I believe an ashram"?" with more advertising and a grandiose campus that for the eyes was just breathtaking with a huge billboard of its guru smak in the middle beckoning all to come on in. I wish i had a camera at the time. The place was quite a feast for the eyes I'll admit.

And yes Buddhism is not immune either, albeit far and few in between.

While not totally against the marriage of business and religion, it does make me scratch my head at times.

Riverwolf · Nov 17, 2012

It is sad when religion and its aspects become commodities to be sold, even if money is not the currency. It essentially becomes useless after that.

Twilight Hue · Nov 17, 2012

Riverwolf said:
It is sad when religion and its aspects become commodities to be sold, even if money is not the currency. It essentially becomes useless after that.

It makes me question the motivations of such organizers albeit some of them look like quite a bang for the buck.

I even passed the Creation Museum billboard. Honestly if I had the time I would stop and paid the entrance fee to gander around. Looks like a store as well selling museum trinkets, vids, books, and the like. Heckava tourist trap I'll say.

Riverwolf · Nov 17, 2012

Nowhere Man said:
It makes me question the motivations of such organizers albeit some of them look like quite a bang for the buck.

I even passed the Creation Museum billboard. Honestly if I had the time I would stop and paid the entrance fee to gander around. Looks like a store as well selling museum trinkets, vids, books, and the like. Heckava tourist trap I'll say.

Yup.

And completely useless spiritually.

Twilight Hue · Nov 17, 2012

Riverwolf said:
Yup.

And completely useless spiritually.

At least it looks kinda fun to see. YEC,s seem to have a knack for building cool looking stuff.

tempter · Nov 18, 2012

Nowhere Man said:
Driving around the country bout two months now i noticed scores of billboards, lavish establishments, tons of adverts peddling this and that. All that caused me to admit that religion has much in common with corporate methodology in peddling its services and selling goods, services and wares and the public promotion of various organisers, clergy, and speakers.

Do you have any personal comments concerning the cottage industry aspect of numerous organised religions?

Is it a beneficial undertaking or does it seem a bit overboard?

Personally it seems people like to get on the bandwagon, toot their horns, and make some money while at it.

While most were Christian, there was I believe an ashram"?" with more advertising and a grandiose campus that for the eyes was just breathtaking with a huge billboard of its guru smak in the middle beckoning all to come on in. I wish i had a camera at the time. The place was quite a feast for the eyes I'll admit.

And yes Buddhism is not immune either, albeit far and few in between.

While not totally against the marriage of business and religion, it does make me scratch my head at times.

It's said that prostitution is the oldest profession. I would suggest that prize goes to organized religion.
When a preacher has a Rolls, private plane, etc, one can't help but to see religion for what it really is: a means of controlling the "lesser people" in order to get rich.

Awoon · Nov 18, 2012

Religions fight harder to stay in America the business does.

dyanaprajna2011 · Nov 18, 2012

Unfortunately, in the US, money is the big motivator, and, rather quite unfortunately, this includes religion. Just look at some of the televangelists nowadays. They sound more like salesmen, and less like spiritual leaders. They parade around in thousand dollar suits, hocking their wares for a modest fee. And you're right, in the US, no religion is immune to it. It's quite sad, that there is much religion, but little spirituality.

ChristineES · Nov 18, 2012

This verse comes to mind when I see things of that nature.

Matthew 21:13 And He said to them, It is written, "My house shall be called the house of prayer"; but you have made it a den of thieves.

dyanaprajna2011 · Nov 18, 2012

ChristineES said:
This verse comes to mind when I see things of that nature.

Matthew 21:13 And He said to them, It is written, "My house shall be called the house of prayer"; but you have made it a den of thieves.

I think a big problem is that because business and money are so important to American capitalism, alot of people think that working religion in the same way is not really a problem. I see this alot in the Bible belt and amongst some conservative Christians. They see American capitalism, Christianity, and materialism all being from the same boat. They completely reject the idea that religion, whether Christianity or otherwise, generally denounces materialism, and Jesus did so in very clear and strict terms. But, unfortunately, there are those who reject his ideas, and not only that, are able to convince others that that's not really what he meant, as well. It's sad to see so many people denounce spirituality in favor of wealth. Like Jesus said, you can't serve both God and money.

tempter · Nov 18, 2012

Awoon said:
Religions fight harder to stay in America the business does.

HA
Very telling, no?
:bow:

Twilight Hue · Nov 18, 2012

dyanaprajna2011 said:
I think a big problem is that because business and money are so important to American capitalism, alot of people think that working religion in the same way is not really a problem. I see this alot in the Bible belt and amongst some conservative Christians. They see American capitalism, Christianity, and materialism all being from the same boat. They completely reject the idea that religion, whether Christianity or otherwise, generally denounces materialism, and Jesus did so in very clear and strict terms. But, unfortunately, there are those who reject his ideas, and not only that, are able to convince others that that's not really what he meant, as well. It's sad to see so many people denounce spirituality in favor of wealth. Like Jesus said, you can't serve both God and money.

The bible dosent hold as much weight with me as it used to, but I'll admit there is a lot of good practicable advice there that is ignored. Ironic that such things are rejected by those who uphold it's content as truths as leaders and representatives.

Some of the establishments have atms for tithes and even banking services are available.

I guess weither its right or wrong is really up to each individual. Im probably less apathetic over it than in the past, but things can project mixed signals as far as what is taught and practiced in face of it's business end. Most end up looking like money generating enterprises focused on the accumulation of wealth no different than profit organisations.

dyanaprajna2011 · Nov 18, 2012

Nowhere Man said:
The bible dosent hold as much weight with me as it used to, but I'll admit there is a lot of good practicable advice there that is ignored. Ironic that such things are rejected by those who uphold it's content as truths as leaders and representatives.

Some of the establishments have atms for tithes and even banking services are available.

I guess weither its right or wrong is really up to each individual. Im probably less apathetic over it than in the past, but things can project mixed signals as far as what is taught and practiced in face of it's business end. Most end up looking like money generating enterprises focused on the accumulation of wealth no different than profit organisations.

I've been to churches with bookstores, gift shops, coffee shops, and the like. Alot of churches nowadays look and operate more like malls than spiritual places of worship. I don't draw much, if any, inspiration from the bible myself, but it seems that most of those who act according to it's principles, are either those ousted by the larger 'orthodox' community, or those who don't even know what it teaches.

Vultar · Nov 18, 2012

tempter said:
It's said that prostitution is the oldest profession. I would suggest that prize goes to organized religion.
When a preacher has a Rolls, private plane, etc, one can't help but to see religion for what it really is: a means of controlling the "lesser people" in order to get rich.

I would think that prostitution is the worlds oldest profession and religion is the worlds oldest scam. (but that is just my opinion and not intended to offend anyone)

Note: Even my own religion has had its times of "scamming" people for profit. It is actually still in use by others to this very day. It is.... The wishing well

Twilight Hue · Nov 18, 2012

I see much of the organizational structure that can be used as as a scam to enrich it's organizers not to mention the agrandiziment of some leaders ego and sense of importance.

It takes away the efforts of those sincere enough to practice what is preached or taught, which in bare form may not come across as appealing as something decorated with colorful shiny bells and loud whistles.

Ultimately it leads to the practitioners sense of just what kind of bang they want for their buck in the end.

Vultar · Nov 18, 2012

Often is seems that the original message is often altered for profit one either the original leader has gained power or by successive leaders. It just lends to the saying "Absolute power corrupts absolutely".

cataway · Nov 18, 2012

before to long she will be putting a sign in the window ''going out of business''

Twilight Hue · Nov 18, 2012

Vultar said:
Often is seems that the original message is often altered for profit one either the original leader has gained power or by successive leaders. It just lends to the saying "Absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Yea. I noticed when something is small there seems to be more sincerity and effort. Continued success and growth at times seems to throw a number of folks off the beaten path as it were, and the attention ends up being redirected elsewhere and consequently capitalises on the diversions losing out on it's original premise, and replaced by the attractions as a result.

George-ananda · Nov 19, 2012

Nowhere Man said:
While not totally against the marriage of business and religion, it does make me scratch my head at times.

I think the activities and money behind religious/spiritual organizations are predominately coming from people whose true goal, in their minds, is to help other people in their spiritual path.

One the other hand, business' true goal is making money.

Because some religious people may have personal financial gain as one of their objectives, there is no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water. I don't agree with people that are just plain cynical of all things and institutions religious/spiritual.

Konjim · Nov 19, 2012

Nowhere Man said:
Driving around the country bout two months now i noticed scores of billboards, lavish establishments, tons of adverts peddling this and that. All that caused me to admit that religion has much in common with corporate methodology in peddling its services and selling goods, services and wares and the public promotion of various organisers, clergy, and speakers.

Do you have any personal comments concerning the cottage industry aspect of numerous organised religions?

Is it a beneficial undertaking or does it seem a bit overboard?

Personally it seems people like to get on the bandwagon, toot their horns, and make some money while at it.

While most were Christian, there was I believe an ashram"?" with more advertising and a grandiose campus that for the eyes was just breathtaking with a huge billboard of its guru smak in the middle beckoning all to come on in. I wish i had a camera at the time. The place was quite a feast for the eyes I'll admit.

And yes Buddhism is not immune either, albeit far and few in between.

While not totally against the marriage of business and religion, it does make me scratch my head at times.

Yes i am agree with you , people doing business with Religion and make Money , now i want to say that .....do you believe that this is god or bad ......

when we talk about Buddhism , this is same things but different then other Religion ....:flirt:
they also doing marketing then self but here is some limitation .....

Religion is big business

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.

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Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism

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