Why would he be so interested in such worldly trifles as billions of dollars? He has the eternal kingdom of glory to look forward to!

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Just like the hawkers of Scientology, UFO cults and Heterophenomenology, they make tons of money selling their silly ideas to comfort of the minion followers.

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The bishop Edir Macedo is well known here in Brazil for having bought circa a decade ago the now second largest TV network in the country.

Just yesterday this TV network, called Record TV, issued in its prime-time news programme a defense for church, completely fallacious:

Tu quoque fallacy, charging the largest TV network in the country, Globo TV, for having supported the 21-year-long military dictatorship here (which is true). Globo has published a 10 minutes long report on the charges against Macedo and colleagues. In response, Record broadcasted scenes from Channel 4’s docummentary ‘Beyond Citizen Kane’ (1993), which reveals Globo’s dark history.

Another fallacy was that the news highlighted the charity work the church has done in Brazil, instead of answering the charges.

The charges say the ten leaders (including Macedo) did money laundering by taking billions from the tithes, sending the money to fiscal paradises and then taking it bake as loan.

Last year Macedo has built a mansion with 35 rooms for himself.

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Erratum:
“taking it back as loan”

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I thank the Reason Project for reporting this appalling case of fraud. That this has been committed by a religious leader makes it even worse. That’s my view

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Another proud moment for evangelicals!

But I’d argue that’s nothing compared to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), which essentially requires its members to pay a tithe equal to 10 percent of a yearly income. I say essentially because Mormons swear they aren’t “required” to do so, but only Mormons in good standing with the church (those who pay a tithe, among other things) are allowed into their “sacred” temples. And it’s in temples where Mormons get their ticket to certain levels of their heaven, known as the celestial kingdom.

Here’s a great story to illustrate the point:
http://reasonweekly.com/religion/in-tough-times-mormon-church-still-gets-its-cut

The LDS Church takes in $5 to $8 billion per year in tithing, yet gives less than 1.3 percent to charity, according to the Web site http://www.exmormon.org. (I wish I had a more solid, credible source about LDS Church finances, but the church’s financial practices are secretive).

I live in Utah, where more than 60 percent of residents claim to be Mormons. And let me tell you, their churches, known as wards, are quite a sight. Every one of them is immaculate (perfect lawns, huge parking lots — vanity is synonymous with Mormons, who are expected to strive for perfection).

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