Comment Re:Newegg Special Price! (Score 1) 256
That being said, the early Christian church criticized the lending of money at interest too. The Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 published the proceedings of their council in the form of 20 canons. Here's the text of Canon 17:
Canon 17. Forasmuch as many enrolled among the Clergy, following covetousness and lust of gain, have forgotten the divine Scripture, which says, He has not given his money upon usury, and in lending money ask thehundredth of the sum [as monthly interest], the holy and great Synod thinks it just that if after this decree any one be found to receive usury, whether he accomplish it by secret transaction or otherwise, as by demanding the whole and one half, or by using any other contrivance whatever for filthy lucre's sake, he shall be deposed from the clergy and his name stricken from the list.
(The text of all 19 canons is available at http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3801.htm, and of course in other places on the Web.)