Henh. I'm often amazed by folks who are pastors, ministers, priests, shamans or rabbi's getting annoyed at another business making money peddeling Jesus. Idolators? I think not. Organized religion is the oldest, largest, least prductive industry in history..
So, If I may be so bold as to inquire.. how much was on the collection plate Sunday, pastor?
Please understand.. I'm not questioning your faith, or quality as a human being.. I am questioning your seeming inability to allow others to pursue their lives or professions as they see fit. It's my belief that Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. It follows in my world that all other sins are invented nonsense. (Hurting yourself is not sinful--just stupid.) Which leads me to politely ask.. what are your motives when you question the rights of 'idolators' to share in the profits of the holy 'franchise'?
You, sir; may safely preach your bit against the abominators in your church.. but here, in this place, you are not in your church... we are not your brethern, we have not asked to be harangued here for the percived sins of others who challenge the primacy of your faith by being so bold as to profit by it's dissemination without a cut for the formal church elders.
It is true, the profession of 'Pastor' has many advantages. It offers high status with a safe livelihood free of work in the dreary, sweaty sense. In most societies it offers legal privileges and immunities not granted to other men. But it is hard to see how a man who has been given a mandate from on High to spread tidings of joy to all mankind can be seriously interested in taking up a collection to pay his salary; it causes one to suspect that the preacher is on the moral level of any other con man... including the 'abominators'.
But I imagine it is lovely work if you can stomach it.
It is also a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so, and will follow it by suppressing opposition, subverting all education to seize early the minds of the young, and by killing, locking up, or driving underground all heretics. The danger is real.
Balance.. and respect in all things. I do not object to the preachings of any man's religious beliefs in the privacy of his church.. but when I see an agent of the church (any church) publicly attempt to cast upon any 'competitor' the mantle of 'abominator' my hackles tend to rise.. there's belivers enuff out there for all of you... cast not your eye upon another groups ways and means lest your own be called to account.
