Re:Exactly! (Score 1)

This money could be much better used for helping the poor and taking the faith to the unbelievers. In the US/Europe, maybe you would see highly ornate churches with big bankrolls. Frankly though I have yet to see what I would consider 'too much' spent on deco and that it was somehow hurting the missions... The local shrine here was made out cinder blocks, all painted yellow. They had some flowers for the altar (that must have cost.... $17 to grow outside...) and that's the extent of it. Metal folding chairs too. The only protestant church I went to recently had... everything you'd see in a large, old, big dollar catholic church. Point? Are most churches too ornate? Perhaps. How much real impact does this have on the poor? Essentially zero. Money is usually collected separately for buildings vs charities, and a large chunk of the ornamention and other physical work is donated (or at least discounted). Parent post is total FUD