You saw it coming . . . With Wall Street in turmoil, some turn to religion

[Synnical]

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2241600720080922

Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:34pm EDT


By Christine Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) - As financial workers suffer through tumultuous times on Wall Street, some are turning to an old source of solace: religion.

Religious leaders said attendance was up at lunchtime meetings in New York's financial district last week, with many more people in business attire than usual.

That is hardly surprising, said Reverend Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church Wall Street, given that people don't know if their employers will survive from one day to the next.

"The economic financial crisis is a reminder that we cannot put our faith in riches, that we cannot put our faith in money," Bozzuti-Jones said in his sermon at lunchtime on Friday, which he devoted to coping with the financial crisis.

. . .

The church, which normally attracts tourists and a few financial workers, experienced an upturn in visitors this week, Bozzuti-Jones said. In the past few days he had requests for help to pay rent from those who had lost their jobs.

. . .

The church was putting on special workshops and seminars over the next few weeks including "Coping with stress in an uncertain time" and "Navigating career transitions."

More at link

[skepticscott]

1. Makes me wonder

How churches will fare if the economy takes a really deep dive. Will those collection plates start to get a lot lighter? Or will the contributions for stained glass windows, mansions and private jets be the very last thing that the flock cuts out of their budget?

[phantom power]

2. Religion tends to do well in hard times...

Especially the tent-revival variety lead by grifters posing as preachers.

[jmm]

6. One of the reasons I stopped going to church was because

I went to two Catholic masses in different parishes in a month where the priest gave his homily speech about how the good old days of tithe and how they needed money. One even sat on the alter with bills. The nature of religious donations may have changed over time but I'm sure there are plenty of people who buy into the prosperity gospel and will give during hard times.

[progressoid]

3. Do you suppose the church will quote the bible about this much?

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
—Matthew 6:24


Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
—Hebrews 13:5


Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
—Proverbs 11:28

[frebrd]

4. Some people aren't capable of facing reality on their own.

Edited to add:

Sometimes it's not fun, but it's better than being dependent on an imaginary friend.

[sarcasmo]

5. Exactly, and that is why they turn to Religion.