I was criticizing the Catholics yesterday just to see how they'd react and what kind of arguments they'd make to defend their evil organization, and I noticed some of them had the gall to say, "What wealth? What opulence?" in response to my harmless questions. Religious people have a very selective perception of reality, right? If they perceive a reality that doesn’t conform with their beliefs, they just reject it and claim it's not reality. Is this what Catholics are doing with this example? Because the Vatican is worth billions! The evil Catholic hierarchy has accumulated a massive pile of wealth, all from using scare tactics about hell and an angry imaginary god to unethically take money from ignorant people. And the charity work the Catholic Church does is merely a token effort, a small percentage of the overall wealth of the organization; the charity work done by the Catholic Church is merely window dressing. Catholics don't like this reality, so they just reject it, right; they willfully blind themselves to the evil and greed of their organization?
Religion & Spirituality - 21 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
As much as I have disagreed with you on other subjects, on this one I agree to a very large extent. There is no reason for the Vatican to be sitting on untold billions of dollars worth. It's simply not Christ like.
2 :
Could you possibly mean the Corporate Offices of the worlds' largest Real Estate Company? That place?
3 :
Damn right they are. The Vatican is worth about $4 BILLION dollars yet about 15,000 children die each day in this world from poverty related causes. It's hypocrisy and they have no intentions of doing anything about it. Last year comedienne Sarah Silverstein suggested that the Vatican be sold to help pay for poorer children worldwide. The gargoyles at the helm unleashed a scathing screed against her. Guess we know who their real God is: money. It's a cult.
4 :
Most rank and file Catholics simply don't know.
5 :
they dont care.
6 :
Economics 101: supply & demand. Should all Catholics agree that the "Pieta" is worthless, and not Divinely inspired, then nobody would want it. Since we believe it is invaluable and Divinely Inspired... Even atheists would pay mega for it. So the whole wealth rests on a worlds belief of Divinity. If the Vatican sold everything, then the surge of supply would make it all worthless. Bottom line is the culture is Coveting others goods --- Which is a no-no in the 10 commandments.
7 :
No, you are blind to the obvious truth. The Vatican and it's wealth belong to Catholics...all of us. No one person owns it or is rich because of it. Much of the Catholic Church's wealth is in art, artifacts and property that has been part of it for hundreds of years. <<charity work done by the Catholic Church is merely window dressing. >> What??? That's ridiculous. There are Catholic hospitals, Catholic schools, Catholic shelters all over the world, that help thousands and thousands of people regardless of their faith. If the Catholic Church were to shut down, and all that we do was to go away, people would realize all that the Church does. The Church does have wealth, but what is wrong with that? It is 2000 years old!! Can you prove that the wealth of the Church is being used for evil or personal gain?
8 :
Yeah, you're right, they should sell it all and give everyone in the world a couple dollars. The Church does way more good now than the shortsited selling of their property would bring about. The Catholic Church is the largest charity in the world, period. The pope has nice gifts that have been given to the Church by kings and queens over the past 2 millenia and wears for public appearences, but he lives in an appartment, eats simple meals, and spends hours each day in prayer. The architectural masterpieces in the Vatican are a part of history and cannot simply be sold. Who would buy St. Peter's Basillica? Besides, as I said the money generated from selling the Vatican would not serve much use when spread out to all the poor in the world. Long-term, not short-term resolutions to poverty must be found, and the Church has long been a force of social justice.
9 :
I agree with Misty. Also, the majority of the riches of the Vatican all honour God. If kings and queens and rich people live in very exquisite surroundings, doesn't God deserve that even more and the Vatican is the seat of the Holy See (the Pope who is God's representative on Earth). Trust me, YOU WHO GO BY SO MANY DIFFERENT NAMES HERE, I have no qualms about the beauty that honours God at the Vatican and I feel absolutely no shame in being Catholic. Talk about wasting your life away. Why don't you actually do something productive instead of all this negative mumbo-jumbo you keep doing here. No wonder you keep changing your pictures and names here.
10 :
The Catholic Church claims over 1.2 billion members. If each of those members gave one single dollar (or foreign equivalent) every Sunday, the Church would obviously gain money exponentially. Of course, some members give more, and some give less. Often, they give nothing. The church does not require members to give any set amount. Only asks for what you can give after taking care of yourself and your family. The fact that the Church takes in a lot of money does not make it evil, or wealthy either. The Catholic Church is responsible for funding the most for charities around the world. It is responsible for establishing hundreds of hospitals and universities every year. This is no 'small token'. Every church of every denomination accepts donations from its members in order to cover operating costs and pay for missions. The Catholic Church is no different. Just because it is bigger, it makes more. This simply catches more attention then other denominations.
11 :
so...../ because they have been around for centuries and thus have beautiful art works and historical pieces that ARE priceless.... to whom would they be sold? a private collector so that no one ever sees the beauty, strength and utter grief of the pieta? destroy the wall in the sistine chapel with michelangelo's last judgment.... because that's the only way it could be "removed" and again.... to whom would it be sold?! why is the POTUS sitting in the white house or the british monarchy in their castle or they have been around for the duration and selling is not an option. you have OBVIOUSLY never been to the Vatican nor visited a museum let alone another country.... if you were educated enough you would see that your comments are absolutely asinine. i don't see you chastizing ted turner or bill gates or warren buffet or oprah winfrey all in their glorious mansions and "token" redistribution of wealth. i'm dumbfounded that you find these facts from ONE of the many Catholic organizations "token efforts". your hate and ignorance has clouded any semblance of sense. Catholic Charities Social Services13 In 2009, more than 2,391 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions provided services to 9,164,981 unduplicated individuals in need of help. Provided Services that Build Strong Communities to 3,956,234 people Social support services 1,999,189 Education and enrichment 730,645 Socialization and neighborhood services 490,850 Health-related services 305,287 Services to at-risk populations 430,263 Provided Food Services to 7,216,379 people Food banks and food pantries 3,281,135 Soup kitchens 1,1,484,735 Congregate dining 1,609,935 Home delivered meals 264,731 Other food services 575,843 Provided Services that Strengthen Families to 1,064,913 people Counseling and mental health services 419,222 Immigration services 319,952 Addiction services 87,315 Refugee services 100,465 Pregnancy services 93,977 Adoption services 43,982 Provided Housing Related Services to 497,271 people Counseling and Assistance 205,262 Temporary shelter 144,210 Supervised living 64,789 Permanent housing 60,196 Transitional housing 22,814 Provided Other Basic Needs Services to 1,933,799 people Financial Assistance (not rent, mortgage, etc.) 234,292 Clothing Assistance 604,873 Utilities Assistance 332,815 Assistance with Purchase of Prescriptions 50,566 Additional Other Basic Needs Assistance 711,253 Provided Disaster Services to 99,665 people Programs for Special Populations 207,465 SO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? WHAT HAS YOUR CHURCH DONE?
12 :
Obviously your prejudice is influencing your reason. The Church maintains religious art and artifacts that are indeed priceless but they do so that they will be available to everyone to admire and enjoy. It is not fitting that those things done out of a love for God be put away in private collections so that very few can admire the dedication and skill of those who loved God. Yes, the Church is the most charitable entity on the planet. So much so that the Church operates on a deficit most years. The Church feeds, clothes, houses, educates and gives medical care to more people than anyone else. You appear to be jealous of the Church's charity. God bless! In Christ Fr. Joseph
13 :
The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organization in the world. Disaster Relief, injustice, advocacy, counseling, additions, food banks, homeless shelters, schools, day cares, old age homes, hospitals, etc..., name any type of Christian charitable cause and the Catholic Church is there. The Catholic Church provides more support than any other Christian Church or organization. Our Monks, Nuns, Priests, and lay people dedicate themselves for life in service to the poor. You do not get to be the largest and oldest (the first one actually) Christian Church without taking care of people. IE, the other day I read that over 40% of all health care in Kenya is provided by the Catholic Church, a friend once volunteered at Bethlehem University operated by the Vatican where people trapped in Palestine (Christian and Muslims) can get a good free education, I help out at the local Catholic food bank. Some Christian Churches are applauded more as they spend alot of resources on promoting themselves as charities, not Churches. Some Christian Churches wave the banners of "look at us and the good we do," the Catholic Church does not emphasis this as we want our reward to be great in Heaven. Matthew 6:1-8 "(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your alms giving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. When it comes to so-called opulence? It is not a waste. Most acquisitions are gifts from the ordinary faithful to God to adorne the Church, a one time offering that can be used for hundred of years. The Church is the House of God and the Castle of the King. We should give Him the best we can. Mark 14:3-7: ...a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor." They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them,...
14 :
You should also take into consideration the extreme wealth of several American business men. The extreme wealth of several rulers whose subjects are starving to death. Do not forget all the people who point the finger at others while doing nothing to help solve the problem themselves. Tell everybody how much you given to charity this month? BTW You should try to find a new question to ask. This has been used so many times
15 :
I spose Desiree' I mean here we all are tryin to show them the massive errors within their institution and they'll have none of it, they will defend her unto the end, and attack with hatred and spew lies, report and call out, ridicule condescend and the list does indeed go on, this institution has created IMHO monsters, and according to Scripture, we ain;t seen Nothin' yet:-( just wait...
16 :
Yes, yes Desiree... just spout your false assumptions with no sources. LOL... that's all your good for, hear say. Your the fool making bigger fools out of those ignorant enough to believe you without researching it for themselves.
17 :
Two thousand years of opulence and wealth--amazing isn't it. Just how did those lion-fighting catacomb-dwellers suddenly get so wealthy? Must have been the Roman emperors had sudden mercy on them and donated their own personal fortunes--before their empire fell, of course. So the Catholics took all the money and built a Vatican Cathedral. That's the short version. For the long version, and for those who are running out of "historical" novelties and inventions, see the 15,000 pages of the 1907 Catholic Encyclopedia and its 300,000 authors & references. That'll keep you out of mischief. Traditional Catholics of Trent at traditionalmass.org/
18 :
Your ignorance and bigotry is staggering. How do you value the Vatican and artworks that are priceless? How do you value the White House and the Washington Monument and the Capital Building? Wouldn't you say it would make sense for the US Government to sell off all its military hardware and all the monuments in DC to pay off the national debt and free up our economy? Yeah, that would be about the same kind of rocket scientist idea as trying to sell off the Vatican and help more people. First, you have no idea what you speak of in regards to the Vatican. It is a very small place and is very beautiful. It is also in use every day for students, tourists, religious pilgrims and the faithful of the Church. You don't just sell something off like that in the same way that you just don't sell the White House and the Washington Monument to the highest bidder. They kind of lose their 'priceless' value when they are no longer used as government buildings too. Most people who try to put values on places of worship and history like the Vatican do so out of simplemindedness and bigotry. Second, you have no idea what the Catholic Church is. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest private charity in the world and in the USA. Millions of people are fed, sheltered, clothed, healed and educated every day throughout the world by the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church runs hospitals, clinics, universities, high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, soup kitchens, refugee camps, job training programs, battered womens shelters, and thrift stores throughout the world as just part of its good works for humanity. The Roman Catholic Church is responsible for inventing both the university and the hospital. Pretty evil things huh? You might want to take a business class. A charity does not continue to serve people and do good every day by selling off all its buildings, hospitals, soup kitchens and handing out the money to people and disappearing. When those people get done spending that money - the charity has already ceased to exist. Over a billion people alive today on earth don't have any agreement with you. I think even a billion more of the common sense muslims, Jews and others would also agree that your ideas are hateful and lacking in common sense.
19 :
The wealth and opulence you speak of consists of thousand year old pieces of art and nothing more. Lol, I think you are a little selective of your reality! The pope lives in three rooms, the Italian authorities deemed it unfit to live in because of the ancient electrical wiring and JP2 put jugs in the ceiling to catch rain water. The Vatican is priceless, it would be a great loss to the world to sell Western history off to the highest bidder, I would much rather it remain on display at the Vatican. Lol, I have never been threatened with hell, Catholics generally don't do that, you are thinking more angry southern fundies. Lol, the Vatican runs a deficit, you know? Even with that, the pope donated 100000 to Japan relief efforts. We reject reality? I think you need to take a good look into the mirror.
20 :
Most of the so called "wealth of The Church" is not because of actual currency but because of the perceived wealth. For example, last summer my wife and I visited the lovely city of Halifax, and we toured many old churches of many faiths. All of them we said to have very expensive land, but also that they were built centuries earlier. Because the item is so old, these churches were built on land that was worthless, and now in the 21st century is worth a fortune. The same is true of most Catholic parishes today. Now what about parishes built in *very* expensive cities like NYC, Rome, London, Dublin, Toronto, Melbourne... etc etc etc? The land at the time was dirt cheap, but now the location, based on modern city planning, is worth a ton, so that gives the false impression of wealth. Then there is the fact that some things that give them their wealth are *only* considered "expensive" for the simple reason that is belongs to The Church. such as the letter Henry VIII wrote to the pope in centuries past. Or an artifact that was used in the 11th century, etc. If it was just a regular item owned by a peasant, it's appraised value would be significantly less. Then looking at the money taken in today, lets compare it to the money given out. Since The Church is the world's largest charity, with all it's earnings being publicly declared for over 30 years, that "wealth" is short lived. Your argument is flawed. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to destroy such an argument for both yourself and other such like minded bigots. :D
21 :
Catholic Charities in my city does more that all of the other protestant charities combined. It sounds like you just have a chip on your shoulder.
