Are we told the truth about religion? Any religion?

The 'church' is probably THE richest institution in the world with churches, art, land, etc, etc worth BILIIONS!

Why do they need any of this?

Why do they nned so much money?

Surely every single penny they have should be helping the starving, the sick, etc, etc.

My local priest has an amazing house, own by his church he lives there overlooking a beautiful lake.

The building it'self is stunning, lots of oak beams, real wood floors, it would make the ultimate bachelors pad and it''s probably worth 10 times most of the houses in that area.

How can that be?

There is absolutely no reason and no excuse for all these religions to have this VAST wealth.

Why should churches be spared lightning strikes? The rain falls on the just man and the unjust man alike.

Now go and read what Jesus said about selling everything you own and giving it to the poor, and who he said it to. Also read what he said when Judas suggested that things should be sold and the money given to the poor. It helps if you get these things in context rather than picking out odd words that suit your purpose.

So what do you want church leaders to do? Past generations of church-goers have provided the buildings, vestments and equipment so that they can worship God together. They also give money to help the poor. Do you think there's a market in old vestments and communion plate (believe me, most of it's fake pantomime stuff that only looks good from a distance). Do you think that closing down the churches is going to raise more money for the poor that keeping them going? It's no good relying on the irreligious to feed the poor - their record is pretty hopeless.

There is a God. You feel it when you are in pain or ill. You then hope for that something/someone would help you. Who/What is it? You better ask your ownself when such a thing happens again.

Jesus has said that, but does that mean his followers are following what he said properly? Religions came into being to say that there is one God(monotheistic religions) and how people should behave in the right manner. But, generation after generation people have failed to follow their respective religions properly.

So, it isn't a matter of God or religions, that people are so crude and selfish. And, of course, some won't tell you the truth about religions. Because of that, you may even tend to believe that they are not good.

My advice is, ask about any religion from a person who knows about it in and out.

People understandingly connect God with religion.

Others here say you can know God without following a religion and I agree.

Jesus is one of the greatest signposts pointing to God. If people would put into practise just one of his teachings then they and the world would be in a better place.

As to the riches and splendor of Churches; perhaps hundreds of years ago when most people lived in very basic accommodation the magnificently decorated churches were supposed to induce a sense of wonder for ordinary poor people. Obviously if the wealth and luxury become more important than the teachings then I would say that was not right.

The point of all religions imo is that we should learn to put God first. We as individuals would be happier and the world would be a more peaceful place if we did.

I was convinced I was about to die a few years ago; and my material desires and possessions just fell away from my consciousness as did my emotional ties; They are very unimportant as you are about to leave this planet:)) in my experience.

Love all Serve all

I think the fact that the deadly sin of Luxury was changed to Lust (Which is just Gluttony with specific and sexy targets) is important to note.

When the Church is making trays of solid gold to collect donations, somethings gone wrong in the system.

No, there are Churches that lie to the membership. This is why we have Atheists though, and why establishing hatred of them is a key point of such Churches.

I am living with the truth!

When I first studied with the Witnesses, I questioned everything - as did my husband! We were invited to a hall to see things in action and could not believe it to be true at first!

I have now been a witness for nearly 10 year's and live in a different country and see how they work in harmony with what is being preached! It is wonderful to be a part of this organisation!

Sadly, yes, there have been some negative things happening, but on the whole, this organisation is the one closest to what Jesus described in thebible.

What Jesus was saying, is that it is fine to have wordly goods, but just keep them in their rightful place.

If I saw a sister or brother or heard of one that was struggling, I would give as much I as I could to make their live easier.

We have brothers and sisters who are specifically trained to be missionaries and they go out to which ever country they are asigned to, and preach to bring hope to the people. Not only do they do this, but help out in other ways too. Many people cannot read, but our organisation has set out a method for them to learn and they do and, of course their first reading materal is the bible!

True christians are told not to just preach, but to act what they preach.

Every single one of us is called a brother or sister. We do have appointed men, but they dress normally, plus they have secular jobs, so being a witness is unpaid work.

We also have brothers who go around to each congregation several times in the year to pass on encouragement; they do get a small amount of money for expensives, but they never exceed what they need!

I have seen this with my own eyes to know it is not just say.

I think the real reason that Jesus told the man to give away his money and possesions is because he held it as more dear than his love for God. He probably loved God to but his possesions were more important. Not everyone that has money holds it as more important. Also what good does it do if everyone is poor. Usually people are poor because they make bad desicions with money like not show up for work and then ask someone to borrow money and then don't pay it back. Just the reality of it, not trying to be mean.

No we are not told the truth. Media is pro secular so they will always expose the bad things not the good things, for example the catholic church is not the crimes committed by priest but the teachings of Jesus and the same happens with judaism, judaism is not zionism and the same with islam, islam is not terrorism.

So let us judge the religions not upon the people who follows them but for their teachings

Yes there is a God. As for why some pastors think they need Gold and silk to sway others, it is simple Greed. Not all religious leaders have such expensive things.

Some religions do keep secrets.

Oh, those are amond the smallest of internal consistency problems with religion. There are a lot more devastating arguments, and all lead to the same conclusion. That religion is man-made.