Funding of religious movements

**alhoon** · June 02, 2011, 07:22 AM

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Doomsd...627911146.html

" The network of Christian radio stations based in Oakland, Ca., is almost entirely funded by donations. According to IRS filings, the group brought in $18 million in contributions in 2009 alone. "

OK, I can understand religions getting much, much money from donations. But what about just religious institutions?
If I open a Christianic radio station to spread the word of God would I get millions for support?!?

I'm talking about Christianity here, charity is divine. Those 18M $ would be better spent funding doctors without borders or taking care of children in Ghana (with 21$/month my family supports a child there).
Heck you want others to know of God? Fund the missionaries!

Giving your life savings to a radio station that agreed with your worldview? Even if they answered your life's questions and where you're heading and the world etc etc ... it's the religion you found comfort in, not the radio station!

**Armenum** · June 02, 2011, 07:25 AM

I guess the more religious folks are brainwashed into emptying their pockets for the Church and supposedly God. The Church probably tries to paint the image that donating the money to the church is like donating that money to God - blurring church business with religious ideals. In my view, it's better for a religious person to donate to charity rather than supporting Church business.

**Admiral Piett** · June 02, 2011, 07:30 AM

Sounds like an excellent field for entrepreneurs right now. Find the craziest, most charismatic, fundamentalist

you can find, fund his church and give him access to radio and TV time and you've made yourself a multi-millionaire.

**alhoon** · June 02, 2011, 07:36 AM

How much money did the Scientology guy made?

**Plan C** · June 02, 2011, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by alhoon

If I open a Christianic radio station to spread the word of God would I get millions for support?!?

If you pick your country right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Maryja

The dude rakes it in, apparently. My Polish mate's nana allegedly sent him something like 150 quid once to keep the crusade alive. Fighters for Christ and all that jazz. Apparently loads of one-foot-in-the-grave duffers give hand over fist and this adds up to impressive sums. Lucky git!

**alhoon** · June 02, 2011, 10:30 AM

How much is 150 quid? What "Crusade"?

Also from your link:
2% listeners (which IMO is much for just one station and there are others), One of the guys financing it collaborated with Nazis and can't go to USA and the station doesn't pay taxes!

Has been accused for hateful propaganda.

**Plan C** · June 02, 2011, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by alhoon

How much is 150 quid? What "Crusade"?

Also from your link:
2% listeners (which IMO is much for just one station and there are others), One of the guys financing it collaborated with Nazis and can't go to USA and the station doesn't pay taxes!

Has been accused for hateful propaganda.

150 quid (pounds) is about 3 million euro as of next week, my old cock sparrow.

And my Polish mates are unanimous in their total disdain for the dude who runs the radio.
Hateful propaganda is apparently a very good description of the general message broadcast by that station.

Then again, the listeners are said to be total bible bashers so what else to expect...

**Sphere** · June 02, 2011, 11:51 AM

Actually, if you believe in Christian dogma, converting people so they can be saved by Christ and avoid eternal punishment in hell is far more charitable than easing the temporary suffering of someone in this life.

Indeed, Catholic dogma for a very long time, (and even still today in some form), promoted the idea that suffering in this world is important to achieving salvation in the next. Practices of self-flagellation, starvation, poverty etc. were promoted as good things, while prosperity and well being were very dangerous. (Which if you actually read the New Testament, is probably the more accurate interpretation of the gospels)

**mongrel** · June 03, 2011, 02:39 AM

Established churches have proper audited accounts and procedures. As far as the Church of England goes there is a distinction between money raised for good causes, in our church's case Christian Aid and assisting an African orphanage and money required to maintain the building and pay for cleaners, utility bills etc, and a levy to pay the salary and pension of ordained ministers. If a vicar used donations to enhance his lifestyle it would be seen as fraud, because the Church belongs to the parish, not the minister. I cannot comment on Catholic, Methodist or Orthodox practice, but I would be surprised if they did not have similar practices.

American free churches are an entirely different animal.