Help me with this current debate about how the Church Spends its money

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I recently entered a debate, we are now discussing why the Church spends money on things llike research and its own observatory instead of sending all that it can to the poor. I don’t really know why? can someone help. also if new issues arise should I make a new thread or post them here?
 
I recently entered a debate, we are now discussing why the Church spends money on things llike research and its own observatory instead of sending all that it can to the poor. I don’t really know why? can someone help. also if new issues arise should I make a new thread or post them here?
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Why bother with the debate? People who make accusations like that againts the CC aren’t really looking for answers or the truth, they believe they already know them, they just use them as “gotcha!” questions to make you question your faith.

You may want to ask those people what they exactly mean by “the Church” and see if they know how it is organized. The organizational make-up of Catholicism is greatly complex: there are numerous dioceses and parishes, each one with a degree of auntonomy, and each one with some sort of out-reach ministry for the needy; there are pontifical charities, Catholic Charities, lay and religious charity groups, and numerous religious “orders” and monasteries and convents, many doing work specifically for the poor. Oh, and the CC has schools and hospitals.

In short, the CC, and Catholics in general, do a whole lot for the poor. But it also belives that science and research is in the best interest of humanity, and as an organization charged with that very obligation by God (looking out for humanity’s best interest), why shouldn’t it “spend money” on it?

But believe me, those people will not accept this answer.

-Chris
 
The debate has moved onto the Old Testament, and whether Noah really build and Ark. As well as the issue of Adam and Eve and how can 2 people be the parents of the whole race since it would involve incest. He makes interesting points to things I mself don’t know very well. Should I make a new thread for these? thank you for your response by the way.
 
The debate has moved onto the Old Testament, and whether Noah really build and Ark. As well as the issue of Adam and Eve and how can 2 people be the parents of the whole race since it would involve incest. He makes interesting points to things I mself don’t know very well. Should I make a new thread for these? thank you for your response by the way
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I personally don’t take everything in the Bible literally. But almost every ancient civilization and religion has a story about a “great flood,” so I think something like it really happened. As for the origin of the human race: even many scientists believe we all descended from the same pre-historic ancestors: news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/01/0111origins.html

But none of that is “Official” Catholic Church teaching.

-Chris
 
I would question the implication that a research observatory is a morally inferior choice to sending “all that money” to the poor. The Catholic Church gives more money to the poor throughout the world than all other charities combined, and that has been the case for centuries.

Are we to stop all research? Or sell all beautiful paintings? Or have the Pope dress in blue jeans and a sweatshirt? Knowledge, beauty and dignity are an important part also of what religion can accomplish, and what can uplift the spirit.

It seems to me when asking why the poor are not helped, the question would better be directed to the UN than the Church.
 
Honestly I’d be much more concerned about all the money the church has paid out to sex abuse victims. It’s in the billions. The amount they spend on the observatory and science is a mere pittance in comparison. The money they pay out for sex abuse has a real impact on the ability of the Church to minister to the faithful in the future… imagine, the school that doesn’t get built, or the land they’ve been holding on to for a new parish that they have to sell, or yes, ministry to the poor that they have to put on hold. I think your friend is barking up the wrong tree with complaining about the observatory.
 
Honestly I’d be much more concerned about all the money the church has paid out to sex abuse victims. It’s in the billions. The amount they spend on the observatory and science is a mere pittance in comparison. The money they pay out for sex abuse has a real impact on the ability of the Church to minister to the faithful in the future… imagine, the school that doesn’t get built, or the land they’ve been holding on to for a new parish that they have to sell, or yes, ministry to the poor that they have to put on hold. I think your friend is barking up the wrong tree with complaining about the observatory.
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Unfortunately, that is The Church’s fault.

-Chris
 
Angel7 said:
I recently entered a debate, we are now discussing why the Church spends money on things llike research and its own observatory instead of sending all that it can to the poor. I don’t really know why? can someone help. also if new issues arise should I make a new thread or post them here?
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:hmmm:
The only Biblical figure I remember complaining about how things were spent was Judas. :whistle:
 
but should Parishes by Flat screen TV’s for Parish centers? (that was somewhat of an arguement that was made). They don’t realy need it do they? Aren’t there other cost effective alternatives?

He made an interesting point.
 
Angel7 said:
but should Parishes by Flat screen TV’s for Parish centers? (that was somewhat of an arguement that was made). They don’t realy need it do they? Aren’t there other cost effective alternatives?

He made an interesting point.
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What would be a “cost effective alternative” for a flat screen TV? In one parish near me, they converted an old lounge into a parish center, put in a flat screen TV and some comfy furniture. One of it’s purposes is for teen nights and family movie nights. These are important events for building up the community. They also hold some classes there and use the TV to project the accompanying videos.

Every time this particular parish has a raffle, one of the local applicance stores donates a TV. I would guess that the new parish center was furnished almost entirely with donated or deeply discounted items from businesses who like to help the Church.

Yes, the Church helps the poor but that’s not her only mission. Ministering to the parishioners, which includes offering safe entertainment for teens and building up families is also part of her ministry.

Can you prove that the parish in question used funds meant for the poor to buy a flat screen TV? If not, it’s not even a point of discussion.
 
I was actually talking with one of my friends about this very issue.

Economic theory seems to point out that whenever money is spent, wealth is being created.

When a church buys a nice TV, then aren’t there a great number of people who benefit? Including those who are near the poverty level and help make the TV in a foreign country. The secondary effects of the purchase of something help everyone, not just the rich!

Of course, I wouldn’t buy or support anything IMMORAL, but the spending of money, even on nice things, is very good and beneficial for lots of people.

A friend of mine wrote a post on this very topic of spending money and the church. Check it out here: shipofsaintpeter.com/search?q=budget

Hope this helps!

Tyler
 
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