Megachurches Offer Thoughts & Prayers, Not Baby Formula
The Independent highlighted a TikToker’s viral experiment showing megachurches, including some with multi-million dollar assets and opulent pastors (like Joel Osteen, whose Lakewood Church has an estimated net worth over $200 million), turning away a supposed desperate mother. While admirable that some smaller churches offered help, the larger, wealthier institutions consistently declined, citing
convoluted processes or lack of resources. This isn't just about a few bad apples; it's a reflection of religious institutions increasingly operating as tax-exempt corporations, prioritizing growth and luxury over their supposed charitable mission. These are the same organizations that lobby vigorously for tax benefits, often under the guise of 'religious freedom,' while accumulating vast, untaxed
wealth. One might cynically wonder if the 'poor' are only valued when they can fill donation plates, not when they actually require basic assistance. Perhaps 'Christ-like' charity involves more than just a multi-level marketing scheme for salvation.