I find that sickening. I'm not too keen when it comes to other Christian denominations, but aren't preachers supposed to be rather poor since they devote their lives to helping others with god?

My one great aunt, she's a nun, and that's how she lives - anything nice or of value she receives is promptly given away to "someone who actually needs it." Although I don't necessarily agree with her faith, I really admire her conviction.

I've also never understood the attraction to glitzy megachurches. I've been dragged and coerced to a few, and they've left me more turned off than anything. They're so big that there's no chance of the intimate atmosphere I sort of enjoyed when I went to church as a kid.

If I want to go to a large auditorium and hear a guy talk about things that will blow my mind.... I'll just go attend the next astrophysics lecture offered at the nearby university.

This preacher's position has no basis in Christianity. If he wants to start his own religion, more power to him. But it is disgusting that he appropriates and distorts Christianity for his gain.

The Bible clearly teaches the opposite. It says that the love of money is the root of all evil and teaches charity and warns against the acquisition of wealth: For example, the parable of the good samaritan (who gave his coat away to the needy) or the saying of Jesus which is, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."

And I guess that God wants his followers to be stupid.

The same can be said of all religions. Look at how much money and assets the Vatican owns and makes. Most religions have at their core a huge financial reservoir

Not necessarily. Though it should make you stop and think. If a preacher *is* becoming rich off the gospel, then something might be fishy.

I live in the town of Ted Haggard's church. I never liked him and his church creeped me out. Unfortunately, though my pastor isn't creepy like Ted Haggard and the church isn't nearly as commercialistic as New Life, my church is starting to lean that way. I don't like it.

Megachurches weird me out. I go to learn more about God, though often times I question if that's what I'm learning. I do not go to church for a concert. I'm not there to watch the speaker. I'm there for the message.

That's one thing I like about my church. They have *never* passed around an offering. They have locked donation boxes at every entrance. But they never ask for money, and I like the fact that they don't pressure you into giving anything. I hate the part of Christianity that pressures you to do something.