Hear the Pennies Fall

[StuartJ]

Dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping, hear the pennies fall
Every one for Jesus, he shall have them all

I used to sing this in Sunday school as the other kiddies and I were brainwashed into believing that Jesus had shed his blood for us on Calvary's cruel tree because we had all been born as sinners, and we needed to give some of our money to Jesus to thank him and to help him continue his work in sending missionaries to the heathen in far-off savage places.

But just as it's not really Santa who scarfs the milk and cookies, it's not really Jesus who pockets the children's pennies.

Jesus himself is regularly pictured helping his foster-father in the carpentry shop - and maybe he leant a hand on the fishing boats, or baking barley loaves, or turning water into wine at the Bethlehem Arms - but I don't know of him making a personal income from the money of the faithful.

Are professional preachers parasites ...?

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 27 by Tcg]

If you read the thread it is StuartJ accusing others of being parasitic. I am asking for examples that arent ad hominems.

StuartJ has also made the topic of this thread clear.

Your displeasure with the word, "parasite" isn't it.

I'd suggest you start a new thread to discuss your displeasure so as to not derail this one any further.

[Wootah]

StuartJ, TCG,

The topic is : are preachers parasites.

What is your evidence that is nothing more than a subjective claim?

What is your evidence that shows that preachers are parasites whilst not making that evidence just be an adhominem?

Give me something to debate against please.

[Tcg]

StuartJ, TCG,

The topic is : are preachers parasites.

Actually, it is, "Are professional preachers parasites ...?".

(Italics added for emphasis.)

This is listed verbatim in post 1.

[StuartJ]

Some Christians - like those in the quotes I've posted - are of the opinion that preachers should follow the examples of Jesus and Paul and NOT use the money of the faithful for personal expenditure ...

Especially when they are perfectly capable of following the example of Jesus and working for money in another vocation as well.

Some denominations do this successfully.

My PERSONAL view is that PAID clergy are parasites.

[StuartJ]

StuartJ, TCG,

The topic is : are preachers parasites.

Actually, it is, "Are professional preachers parasites ...?".

(Italics added for emphasis.)

This is listed verbatim in post 1.

Members will note that the omission of the word "professional" is highly significant ...

And makes me look bad by suggesting I call (all) preachers parasites.

THIS looks ad hominem to me.

And to ME, it looks like a very classic case of lying for Jesus through omission.

I think Mr. Wootah should give himself a moderator warning ....

I am (usually) very careful to be general in my blunt criticisms.

But I do find that folks with guilty consciences often take them personally.

And I do think personal criticisms should be omitted from these debates ...

No matter how much someone relates to them personally.

[otseng]

THIS looks ad hominem to me.

And to ME, it looks like a very classic case of lying for Jesus through omission.

I think Mr. Wootah should give himself a moderator warning ....

I am (usually) very careful to be general in my blunt criticisms.

But I do find that folks with guilty consciences often take them personally.

And I do think personal criticisms should be omitted from these debates ...

No matter how much someone relates to them personally.

Moderator Comment

Yes, personal criticisms should be omitted from debates. And this includes your comment above. As for Wootah making an ad hominem, I would disagree. In the future, simply report the post instead of playing the moderator.

Please review the Rules.


______________

Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.

[StuartJ]

THIS looks ad hominem to me.

And to ME, it looks like a very classic case of lying for Jesus through omission.

I think Mr. Wootah should give himself a moderator warning ....

I am (usually) very careful to be general in my blunt criticisms.

But I do find that folks with guilty consciences often take them personally.

And I do think personal criticisms should be omitted from these debates ...

No matter how much someone relates to them personally.

Moderator Comment

Yes, personal criticisms should be omitted from debates. And this includes your comment above. As for Wootah making an ad hominem, I would disagree. In the future, simply report the post instead of playing the moderator.

Please review the Rules.


______________

Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.

Perhaps Mr. Wootah will clarify why he omitted the word "professional" ...

It makes a highly significant, and I say personal, difference to the topic question.

[tam]

Peace to you,

[Replying to post 1 by StuartJ]

To the OP,

I do not know if these professional (paid) preachers should be called parasites. Some might be described as that (taking and taking and taking from the poor and from those thirsting); but some people, sadly, seem to be willing hosts and that is a bit more symbiotic.


"A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land. The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?" Jeremiah 5:30, 31


**


In any case, if we are serving Christ, then we give for free what we have received for free.

"Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

Anyone not following that direction, well... what else are they not following from Him?

Should be a big red flag when someone is making a profit off their 'preaching.' Not just because a person making a profit off their preaching is more likely to compromise the truth in order to maintain their income, but because Christ said to give for free what we have received for free.




Peace to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy