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THREAD: Religion and Finance: PART 3 – THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL DILEMMA.
Please start here with part 1.
And read part 2 before jumping into this thread.
NOTES:
Please approach the subject with humility. We only improve when we open our minds to new information.
Please approach the subject with humility. We only improve when we open our minds to new information.
I really struggled with this section of the series because I know some of my friends would disagree vehemently and some may even feel personally offended. So let me start by apologizing in advance. I am only sharing what i believe is true and I hope it sets us all free.
The Research Question is:
RQ3: Does prosperity-gospel Pentecostalism produce better financial outcomes?
RQ3: Does prosperity-gospel Pentecostalism produce better financial outcomes?
Prosperity theology is a religious belief that holds that financial blessing and physical well-being are accessible through faith and positive speech activated via donations to religious causes. The central thesis is that material wealth comes from religious actions.
RQ2: Does prosperity-gospel Pentecostalism produce better financial outcomes?
The answer is NO.
1.Hindus
2. Jews
3. Liberal Christians (Episcopalian and Presbyterians)
4. Atheists
5. Agnostics
are wealthier than Pentecostals and other bible-believing Christians.
The answer is NO.
1.Hindus
2. Jews
3. Liberal Christians (Episcopalian and Presbyterians)
4. Atheists
5. Agnostics
are wealthier than Pentecostals and other bible-believing Christians.
RQ2 (cont):
In this dataset, the poorest religious group are prosperity-preaching Pentecostals.
There are 2 likely explanations: A religion that teaches prosperity is more likely to attract poor people or the doctrines of the sect holds its adherents back.
In this dataset, the poorest religious group are prosperity-preaching Pentecostals.
There are 2 likely explanations: A religion that teaches prosperity is more likely to attract poor people or the doctrines of the sect holds its adherents back.
On the flip side, religiosity predicts 4 key virtues that are absolutely crucial for a good life.
1. Health.
2. Happiness.
3. Decency/Civic Engagement.
4. Hope for a brighter future.
1. Health.
2. Happiness.
3. Decency/Civic Engagement.
4. Hope for a brighter future.
The data seems to support one of two conclusions:
1. If prosperity is religion's key outcome, then God is failing at his job.
2. If faith, love, healthy living, and hope of a future recompense are the expected outcomes of a relationship with God, then God is doing an awesome job
1. If prosperity is religion's key outcome, then God is failing at his job.
2. If faith, love, healthy living, and hope of a future recompense are the expected outcomes of a relationship with God, then God is doing an awesome job
I support the second conclusion.
1. The data shows that anybody can attain wealth regardless of religious views and attitudes.
2. The data also shows that relationship with God produces other virtues that are not material or physical.
I think that was always the plan.
1. The data shows that anybody can attain wealth regardless of religious views and attitudes.
2. The data also shows that relationship with God produces other virtues that are not material or physical.
I think that was always the plan.
The problem is that prosperity gospel is now the dominant theological perspective across the developing world. In Africa, it has produce myriad controversies and is actively turning people away from Christianity.
Respected Pastor, Author and Pentecostal leader, J. Lee Grady, highlighted the issues with the prosperity gospel sect in Africa.
1. It is often mixed with occultism.
2. It fuels greed.
3. It feeds pride.
4. It does not build Christian character.
5. It keeps people in poverty.
1. It is often mixed with occultism.
2. It fuels greed.
3. It feeds pride.
4. It does not build Christian character.
5. It keeps people in poverty.
Prosperity gospel keeps people in poverty - J Lee Grady
Why bother to plan, build a business model, work hard, and persevere through tough times if you can get guaranteed financial blessings by giving your money to a church?
Why bother to plan, build a business model, work hard, and persevere through tough times if you can get guaranteed financial blessings by giving your money to a church?
The richest people in the world did NOT "give their way to prosperity." They worked hard and built sustainable business model. The Hindus and Jews in America are particularly masterful at doing this and it shows in their financial outcomes.
One final clarification.
There is nothing wrong with giving to God as an act of surrender or service. The problem is the transactional model the prosperity gospel sect builds into this act of piety.
"Giving to God" is not a business model. Let's stop this nonsense.
There is nothing wrong with giving to God as an act of surrender or service. The problem is the transactional model the prosperity gospel sect builds into this act of piety.
"Giving to God" is not a business model. Let's stop this nonsense.
My preferred model for building income is below. It is NOT fullproof and may not work for everybody. But I know that "strategic work" backed by faith works for a lot of people.
