[Pesqueeb]

Thier is a certian appeal to being able to blame the economic crash on douchebags like Osteen and Robertson although IMHO its a bit of a stretch. I tried to quote the article but its too long. You can find it here as published in The Atlantic. Discuss.

 

[rockofullr]

People are sooooo gullible.

This kind of thing just adds to the buy now figure out how to pay later mentality that caused the crash.

Although if they are right and I'm a good boy Godaclause will bring me a new 303DHR so I'm gonna go pray real hard.

 

[jonKranked]

yo Jesus wants me to have a McClaren.

 

[Westy]

Blame the Germans.

Been watching an old BBC series from the 80's called "The day the universe changed". It basically discusses how certain events in history have made the world we live in today. It is very Brit-centric and on several occasions they blame the Germans for most everything bad. Specifically how the barbarian German tribes brought Europe into the dark ages as Christianity was taking foot. Not that there was necessarily anything wrong with Christianity but as it was becoming the standard religion in Europe the breaking up of the Roman empire set Europe into disorganization causing loss of knowledge and turning people to be uneducated and superstitious dolts. People only had their religion to turn to but being retarded superstitious dolts they integrated that crap into Christianity. A tradition that we are still fighting today.

 

[moff_quigley]

Thier is a certian appeal to being able to blame the economic crash on douchebags like Osteen and Robertson although IMHO its a bit of a stretch. I tried to quote the article but its too long. You can find it here as published in The Atlantic. Discuss.

Interesting read. Any more though mainstream actions influence christianity not the other way around.

 

[JRogers]

I read that article a while ago in the print magazine, so my memory of it is a bit fuzzy. But, from what I do remember, there wasn't much in the way of statistical claims to back up the suggestion that prosperity gospel teaching significantly contributed to the current economic problems.

But, probably more importantly, I don't think that the title of the article (which was the lead cover story for the print magazine last month) matched up with the article itself. A lot of times, editors choose the titles (not the writers) on the basis of what will get people interested- not necessarily what is reflected in the text. So, basically, I am not sure that the article actually does try to "blame the economic crash" on Osteen and others (even if the title suggests that) so much as suggest that the prosperity gospel contributes in some capactity to current economic problems and persists in spite of them.

 

[Andyman_1970]

We've got a huge batch of those folks here in central AR, the biggest church like that around here we call "Six Flags over Jesus". Every Sunday the parking lot is packed with less than 2 year old SUV's and luxury cars, all bright and shiny.

I know a few folks that left that church (they were forced to because they went bankrupt and could not tithe any longer, a requirement for membership). They would tell me the pastor would teach that even if you couldn't afford it, go out and buy that new Escalade "on faith", he said if you step out of faith (supposedly like Peter did trying to walk on water) Jesus will make sure you can afford it. Many people got in over their heads financially and when they couldn't afford the lifestyle the "steped out on faith" for, they were ridiculed by the church and accused of having some hidden sin in their life that was preventing Jesus from "blessing" them.

These folks are jacked up to say the least..............bless their hearts........

 

[jonKranked]

"Six Flags Over Jesus"



Pure gold. +rep

 

[Dartman]

flippin' "Cool Aid drinkers"

 

[Pesqueeb]

I read that article a while ago in the print magazine, so my memory of it is a bit fuzzy. But, from what I do remember, there wasn't much in the way of statistical claims to back up the suggestion that prosperity gospel teaching significantly contributed to the current economic problems.

But, probably more importantly, I don't think that the title of the article (which was the lead cover story for the print magazine last month) matched up with the article itself. A lot of times, editors choose the titles (not the writers) on the basis of what will get people interested- not necessarily what is reflected in the text. So, basically, I am not sure that the article actually does try to "blame the economic crash" on Osteen and others (even if the title suggests that) so much as suggest that the prosperity gospel contributes in some capactity to current economic problems and persists in spite of them.

Agreed. One of my first thought when I finished reading the article was where was the correlation was between the churches and the crash? I'm of the opinion after reading the article that the only difference between church members taking 110 percent equity loans to buy depreciating assets like cars and SUVs and non-believers taking 110 percent equity loans to buy depreciating assets like cars and SUVs is that the church members have just an extra touch of crazy thinking that Jesus was the co-signer.

 

[moff_quigley]

"Six Flags Over Jesus"



Pure gold. +rep

My sister goes to a church in Springfield, MO that I call Six Flags Over Jesus. It isn't a "name it and claim it" or "prosperity gospel" church, but it is ginormous. They have a Starbucks in their lobby.

 

[Pesqueeb]

They have a Starbucks in their lobby.

If that's not a sign that a church is bullsh*t, I don't know what is. Who technically receives the profits from that I wonder?