A clever expose' of the higher ups who have large followings , perhaps due to commericalism , such as TV. Many can lead and inspire, but do line their pockets ...M

Ever notice how people use church to get ahead, socially and in business. The faithful are most easily fleeced. Hypocrisy needs exposure. Thanks for exposing so eloquently.

Ron

Fantastic Lori! You surely have noted the difference between this and "that"! Excellent scripture example!

Love,
Eileen

... i dunno but THIS is definitely "whatever is good, whatever is worthy, whatever is beautiful, think upon such things"... and where the truth is proclaimed and hypocrisy exposed, THAT is beautiful and right. Certain churchmen and women are going to have a lot to answer for when they get to eyeball the Old Man.... but, so, too, doubtless have I, so I won't start taking logs out of others' eyes when there's a few rainforests in my own... Love your clever turn of phrasing here. xx

After I read Karla's poem about "organized chaos" I had to find yours, and you are spot on...with truth.

Cheers,
Dan

There is a difference between man made law and God's law....

Be always safe,
Karen

The first priority needs to be the body and the soul, thank you for sharing, this is a great write thank you for sharing, but thankfully I attend a church that focusses more on the soul than the prosperity teachings~
In Christs Love
Michelle~

Wanna buy a prayer??? Well done Lori. Patrick

Powerful indeed, Lori. Well done.

Lori,
Powerfully compelling, a cry for real truth and justice, this is simply marvellous. Kudos!

John

A sales pitch for God...how crazy it has all gotten. The more money you spend, more powerful the prayer that will be prayed for you. If you have a fistfull of dollars, you can even buy your way back into the church after a divorce...shame, shame on those who commit these fradulent crimes. Personally, I have learned that dialing God direct and skipping the "Operator" is the best choice for me. Potent poetry, Lori. I hope you tagged it well so it will be found often on the web.
Take care,
Sherry

Damned be the money-changers! Great poem Lori. Preaching to this choir for certain.

Magnificent poem, Lori, and so very true. Well done!

Lori, this one should be shouted from the housetops, or better,
from the nearest steeple. If I were a relgious guy, I would suggest we all hold hands and pray--but I keep getting a busy signal. After
Sage's highly intelligent response, what more is there to say?
So be it. -gene.

An excellent write, Lori!! You speak the truth of organized religions. They are merely big businesses getting bigger on the backs of their flocks! There's no way Jesus, when he walked the earth, would have made it his mission to grow his business and profit from it. I absolutely loved this poem!

Hugs,
Anna

This is a Monumental statement of religious spoils! Head-to-head with those corrupt greedy churchmen, This is That is the Command Center for cleaning up religion and taking away the collection plate! Religion should not be bought to learn, it should be FREE knowledge and wisdom based on inner faith and love for the fellow man. I think this poetry could very well safeguard the best of modern-day civilization. It is a worldwide appeal to free religion from monetary gain and worship with renewed intent - burn out the nooks and crannies where the corrupt and deceptive church impostors hide their religious brainwashing money and dirty dogmas...and it was a sad shame when the ancient Torah scrolls and religious objects were looted from European synagogues and salvaged for a prospective Nazi museum, obliterated by the Third Reich. Why should anyone have to go into a temple to worship their God? Private worship without the masses and tithes seek a better relationship with the One. Quit "buying" into it, people...Lori, this is the one poem that will have lasting quality, as Eileen's last poem "Only a Few Poets" speaks of...you will be remembered for this...

Love,
Sage

Excellent! Lori, I've been daying for years, religion is a business. As such, they should be taxed.

Churches are tax exempt from income taxes, real estate taxes and sales tax. Everyday is tax-free when you work for the clergy. And as you noted, these so-called ministers have built thenselves enormous complexes which require a great deal of community infastructure, like raods and sewers. Any other development would have to apy impact fees. Not churches or any other house of worship.

I personally abhor all taxes, but if the public has to pay, then so should they! ~ Sara

Bravo, Lori! I totally agree with your words. The holier-than-thou con men, and women, who flaunt their wares...I find despicable...the anti-Christs. Even when their names are mentioned, my stomach churns. They wouldn't be on TV if the money wasn't so easy to come by and a vast $amount...sadly. These types bring religion down to a greedy business.
Blessings, and Love for the Lord - Micke

God forbid that this practice continues--this poem needs a broader audience than it can get on Authors Den. You need to send it to newspapers or submit it to some Christian magazines. Don't let it stop here.
Carol

Got THAT right, Lori - it drives me crazy, all this prosperity teaching - sow into the Kingdom, get a new house/Cadillac/riches - the only ones getting those things are the preachers, themselves - makes me not want to go to church anymore. Sad. Well said!

(((HUGS))) and love, karla.

TWO WRONGS NEVER MAKE ONE RIGHT...TURN OUR EYES UPON JESUS AND LET EACH MAN BE LED BY HIS OWN CONSCIENCE AS TO WHAT HE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO FOR THE LORD.
THIS IS A WELL WRITTEN WORK THAT BRINGS TO LIGHT THE COMPLAINTS OF MANY REGARDING THE WORLD OF 'CHRISTIANDOM'. BLESSINGS AND THANKS FOR SHARING. JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

I certainly relate to this one as I look about and see not only TV sold religion but also the palaces and castles of competing religions to reach their spires higher to the sky. I wonder if as much enthusiasm that is put into religious wars and bigotries was put into world peace and world hunger...what a wonderful world.
hugs
fee