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CodsWhallop t1_j0y2uv8 wrote

I'll never understand why anyone would listen to a pastor, proclaiming the words of Jesus about valuing people above things and literally shunning wealth, and then watch them drive away in a Lambo.

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keksmuzh t1_j0zafoc wrote

Megachurches and prosperity gospel bullshit go brrrrr

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Taoistandroid t1_j0ztdyw wrote

Megachurches are the US's proof that no one does narcissism like we do narcissism.

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shmeetz t1_j10knk1 wrote

This comment made me realize, is the US really the only country where megachurches are a thing?

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Luca127 t1_j10l1rg wrote

There is a country wholly dedicated to one church

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bamaxfer t1_j10uubg wrote

There were literal empires throughout history that did this too. And while not Christian, amost all middle eastern terrorist groups (like ISIS) are entirely centered around one teacher of their Faith.

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shmeetz t1_j113vw4 wrote

While both of these comments are true, I think I need to clarify my question. I meant megachurches as in one congregation following one leeching pastor who syphons his congregation's money into his coffers so that he can live an extravagant lifestyle. I know there are theological based governments built on this foundation but their citizens are usually forced to give up their money/resources to these governments. US megachurch pastors are voluntarily given money from their parishioners. That's the difference I am asking about. If there are other countries with megachurches like this.

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bamaxfer t1_j1190y1 wrote

https://www.aproudchristian.com/2021/09/top-15-megachurches-in-world.html

no, they exist worldwide

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07hogada t1_j11nhy2 wrote

As someone who is not familiar with all of these, are they all similar to the US megachurches, where money/stuff gets funneled into one or a small group of preachers, or are they just places of worship with a large capacity? I'm guessing the former, but hoping the latter.

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bamaxfer t1_j11nvlq wrote

Almost all of them I've looked into are vast repositories of wealth collection

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Artephius_ t1_j1158e4 wrote

There are megachurches in many other countries, Brazil, South Korea, a few African nations. Nothing exclusive to the US about greed and brainwashing.

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paintedjeff t1_j11hhxa wrote

No but they originated here and we spread that gospel to other countries. Not all megachurches are bad. Only 95% of them. lol

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bigjaybird t1_j1278j8 wrote

Mega Churches and their followers were the prerequisite to the MAGA movement! Suckers….

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Randy_Tutelage t1_j0zrdz4 wrote

Because the people in the audience believe if they do what the pastor says they themselves will also become wealthy. It's called that "prosperity gospel" bullshit. The people who attend these churches arent really concerned with morality and spirituality. They just believe if they follow the rules God will reward them with money. Like god did with the pastor. They believe the pastor is wealthy because he figured out the way for God to shower him with money. They ignore the fact that these pastors get wealthy exclusively from donations from the congregation.

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TheOutlawStarLord t1_j12651s wrote

Humans have been trying out various systems of control for ages. This phenomenon popped up a while back and through the ages has had many forms. The Inciting Pastor being one of the less original, but highly adaptable ones. A high energy person who can engage and inspire a certain, demographic. People who are easily engaged or incited is the polite way of saying it. In this case it is usually about monetary gains, but it can also be about politics or some other form of social power.

I can assure everyone that any "Pastor" engaged in this sort of thing is not really a "man of god". They are a jackal picking at the carcass of simplicity and despair.

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C_Hawk14 t1_j115wxw wrote

Classic do as I say, don't do as I do situation

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Driver8666-2 t1_j0yctsp wrote

At least he doesn’t have a Gulfstream like Kenneth Copeland has.

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Random_Average__Guy t1_j0yo5n6 wrote

He was probably working on that before he got robbed!! Probably reached out to creflo and asked him for some advice on what model was the best.

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BowwwwBallll t1_j0ze7d7 wrote

What??? I NEEED that Gulfstream! It’s a religious purchase!!!

Look, I’m always asking God to come down and bless my congregation- it’s only fair that every once in a while I go up and see Him!!

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FireIzHot t1_j0zcyzf wrote

Hey, god wants them to be rich and have 100 cars, a big house, a jet, or some bullshit like that.

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Sophie-xoxo t1_j11cr63 wrote

They drive Porsches, fly in private jets, sail on yachts, wear Rolexs, and live in multi million dollar mansions.

They make more in a year than most people will ever see in their entire lifetime.

And yet they will preach about the evils of greed and attachment to material possessions.

I've heard that it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven. In their case, I hope that's true.

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digitelle t1_j0zor9z wrote

It’s so they will give it all up for him.

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More_Cowbell8 t1_j1043qp wrote

In Flatbush, Whitestone or Philly. My Lamborghini, nothing to see here.

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metalliham t1_j10nw84 wrote

The pastors you are referring to are the negative church pastors. Most are normal, down to earth guys that drive around in normal cars, eat breakfast and even poop like the rest of us. Stereotypes don't help anyone. I do t care for organized religion, but you can still have Faith. Just my 2 cents.

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Harley2280 t1_j10o9bs wrote

>and even poop like the rest of us.

That's completely untrue. They're full of Holy Shit.

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Ok-Falcon2120 t1_j12bjnc wrote

Amen! - "Finally!, A Lambo",

THEE 11th Commandment -

"IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS PAY CASH".

DONT FORGET YOUR WEEKEND CONTRIBUTIONS, PRECISELY AND PREFERABLY JUST AFTER YOU GOT YOUR WEAKLY PAY.

ENOUGH,SAID AHMAD MOHAMAD JAMAL FAYAD.

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sieri00 t1_j1dlt1y wrote

Rich people rarely getting into heaven is one of the clearest and least ambiguous teaching of Jesus

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Utopeias t1_j0zfqa0 wrote

Believe it or not 99% of pastors and priests are not driving away in a lambo or in any other type of luxury car

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CodsWhallop t1_j0zhqww wrote

I believe it. Well, I'd believe 95%, if luxury car includes things like BMW or Audi.

But like billionaires, that 1-5% of pastors has an outsized influence versus the rest.

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