Member-only story
THE CROSS AND THE MONEY TREE
HAVE YOU GOT GOOD RELIGION IN 2025 USA? ( the call-ing the question )
CERTAINLY(?) maybe(?),SOMEWHERE(?), LORD! ( today’s not very musical response )
The church and theology started on the wrong side of humanity. Sure, it began as the psychosocial and healthcare resource for neighborhoods in rural and urban environments. This was a good thing as long as lives were being saved and people’s physical, mental, and spiritual health allowed them to participate in the civic and social life shared with others in neighborhoods.
But fast forward to oligarchs gaining control of organized religious communities. This was essentially when some folks realized what a tax-free bonanza with unlimited money making potential had been laid before them. Well then of course you needed lawyers, insurance, and high compensation for leadership. Medicine as we know it in 2025 formed as a private corporate not-for-profit entity, often with no vestige of religious affiliation*. Often, instead of any service in the public’s interest, how “fabulous” church buildings and lead pastors looked began to take center stage.
Whose pastor had the most attendance? Who received the highest financial wealth? Who had the most luxurious Pastoral Residence? Who was the best in comforting the major donors and jump-starting guilt, shame,remorse, fear and terror throughout the rest of the regular attendees…
